Awards
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.
2009 Winner: HALF-LIFE, Dir. Jennifer Phang
Special Jury Prize: CHILDREN OF INVENTION, Dir. Tze Chun
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
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.
2009 Winner: THE MOSQUE IN MORGANTOWN, Dir. Brittany Huckabee
Special Jury Prize: DIRTY HANDS: THE ART AND CRIMES OF DAVID CHOE, Dir. Harry Kim
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
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.
2009 Winner, Narrative: FRUIT FLY, Dir. H.P. Mendoza
Winner, Documentary: PATSY MINK: AHEAD OF THE MAJORITY, Dir. Kimberlee Bassford
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
