To underscore its commitment to supporting Asian American filmmakers and recognizing their achievements, the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival inaugurated in 2005 a juried competition in two categories as well as audience awards. Winners are announced at the Closing Night Gala party.

Best Narrative Feature Award

Presented to the best feature-length narrative film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury.

2008
Winner: AMAL, Dir. Richie Mehta
Special Jury Award: [tie] ALWAYS BE BOYZ, Dir. John Kwon and SANTA MESA, Dir. Ron Morales

2007
Winner: OWL AND THE SPARROW, Dir. Stephane Gauger
Special Jury Award: TRE, Dir. Eric Byler

2006
Winner: PUNCHING AT THE SUN, Dir. Tanuj Chopra
Special Jury Award: COLMA: THE MUSICAL, Dir. Richard Wong

2005
Winner: THE MOTEL, Dir. Michael Kang
Special Jury Award: CAVITE, Dirs. Ian Gamazon & Neill Dela Llana

Best Documentary Feature Award

Presented to the best feature-length documentary film by or about Asian Americans or Asian Canadians, as selected by a three-person jury.

2008
Winner: PLANET B-BOY, Dir. Benson LEE
Special Jury Award: WINGS OF DEFEAT, Dir. Risa Morimoto

2007
Winner: NEW YEAR BABY, Dir. Socheata Poeuv
Special Jury Award: A DREAM IN DOUBT, Dir. Tami Yeager

2006
Winner: ABDUCTION The Megumi Yokota Story, Dirs. Chris Sheridan & Patty Kim
Special Jury Award: CHINESE RESTAURANTS: LATIN PASSIONS, Dir. Cheuk Kwan

2005
Winner: WHAT’S WRONG WITH FRANK CHIN?, Dir. Curtis Choy
Special Jury Award: AND THEREAFTER, Dir. Hosup Lee

Audience Awards

The Audience Award is presented in two categories: Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature. Given to the feature film with the highest overall average as rated by members of the audience.

2008
Winner, Narrative: OM SHANTI OM, Dir. Farah Khan
Winner, Documentary: PLANET B-BOY, Dir. Benson Lee

2007
Winner, Narrative: AMERICAN PASTIME, Dir. Desmond Nakano
Winner, Documentary: NA KAMALEI: THE MEN OF HULA, Dir. Lisette Marie Flanary

2006
Winner, Narrative: [tie] JOURNEY FROM THE FALL, Dir. Ham Tran and WATER, Dir. Deepa Mehta
Winner, Documentary: SENTENCED HOME, Dirs. David Grabias & Nicole Newnham

2005
Winner, Narrative: [tie] SAVING FACE, Dir. Alice Wu and TURTLES CAN FLY, Dir. Bahman Ghobadi
Winner, Documentary: CONTINUOUS JOURNEY, Dir. Ali Kazimi