SHORT WAVES: STORIES SHAPING OUR COMMUNITY
2017 short waves winner
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Law and Order: White Fragility Unit » Directed by Nicole Tay
With racism at an all time high in the US, members of an elite squad known as the White Fragility Special Victims Unit set out to help people of color in the fight against social injustice. Director Tay's inspirations include "1. Anti-blackness in the Asian American community and lack of Asian allyship for BLM 2. The lack of representation of white allyship that doesn't derail black narratives 3. During my public health degree, I learned about a phenomenon known as weathering in which the cumulative daily effects of racism, minority stress, microagressions literally reduce the lifespan of Black women by 10 years. So I thought, "This is a public health crisis. What if there was an on-demand team to help POC mitigate the effects of racism?" It started as a very satirical concept, but with every day that passes in our current socio-political climate, I find that the WFU becomes an increasingly realistic solution." |
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2017 Finalists
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Hammer/Fist: Power to Protect » Directed by Tina Xu
Evelyn espouses the spirit of the Chinese martial art of wushu -- using your power to defend the weak -- as she attends Harvard Law School with an interest in minority civil rights. |
No Program No Peace » Directed by Jalena Keane-Lee
"No Program No Peace" gives voice to the students at Wellesley College advocating for a tenured Asian Americanist. After 15 years of student activism, Wellesley now has an Asian American Studies minor, but no funding and no tenured professor. "No Program No Peace" captures compelling student testimonial on the power and importance of Asian American Studies. |
Self-Perception » Directed by Michael Tow & Teja Arboleda Many Asian Americans are hyperaware of how others perceive us and sometimes the slightest trigger word can make us think the worst. Everyone worries about self perception to some degree and in this video we explore what happens when an Asian American man is introduced to his Caucasian fiance's family. |
JUDGES
Tak Toyoshima is the creator/illustrator of Secret Asian Man, a comic strip that highlights the nuanced, hilarious, and often tragic dynamics of race relations in America. He is also the creative director of Rustic Marlin, a home decor manufacturer specialized in handcrafted signs and furniture.
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Ngoc-Tran Vu identifies as a 1.5-generation Vietnamese American transnational and multimedia artist, organizer, and healer. She was born in Vietnam and grew up in Boston where she's currently based. Tran is a member of the AARW board.
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SHORT WAVES PARTICIPANTS
Click on title to watch the film.
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All the Progress » Angela Chiu & Queenie Dong
This video reflects our feelings on the current political climate Dear Mama » Brian Cho My mom reminiscing about her mother and last video I have of my grandmother. Education » Wendy Han & Alyssa Zhao This video is about the importance of Public Education Ellen » Mollie Davis During a journey on a train, one woman must work with her teenage and childhood selves to reckon with her childhood trauma. Four Fong Brothers in the US Military at the Same Time » Jim Fong In the 1960's, four Chinese American brothers from Boston's Chinatown served in the U.S. Armed Forces, all at the same time. Free Lunch » Calvin Dong & Grace Tsoi This video discussed why the Free Lunch Program is important to us. Journey to an Asian American Community » Ally Yee When I first enrolled into an Asian American Studies course, I had no idea that I was getting myself involved with such a big community. When I first stepped foot on campus as a freshman, I never saw myself as being involved on and off campus until the Spring semester of my junior year of college. Being able to learn everything I have from the program, inspired to be involved within the Asian American Community on campus and I was lucky enough for them to have welcomed me with open arms. Messages from the Candidates: Gulistan Malik » Gulistan Malik I am an Asian American who wanted to make a change. I ran for City Councilor in Quincy, Mass despite even being mentally disabled. I lost in the primary vote, but I made noise that got the attention of the incumbent and my entire Ward. This is my ad for the campaign. |
Overload » Cheyenne Chen & Kaylania Boyd
This video reflects how the current overload of rhetoric is affecting real people. This video is meant to inspire people to stand up against racism. South Asian Perspectives on Asian Identity » Janhavi Madabushi A discussion by South Asian people (femme and non-binary/trans) about the nuances of Asian identity and navigating Asian spaces. Strangers » Isabella Kiser Strangers is a podcast hosted by Lea Thau, where she simply talks to strangers. I visualized Thau's podcast and made it into an animation. I gave these voices a visual identity. Three Generations » Jeff Lee A grandmother, an uncle, and a grandson answer the same set of questions about high school expectations. How will the generation and culture gaps get reflected in their responses? Tired Dragon Lady » Lily Luo An exploration of mental health within the Asian American community and how our personal/historical traumas have impacted our community What We Face » Yuqing Lin & Elizabeth Figueroa What We Face explores the gender inequality between Men & Women in America. This film stars Wendy Han & Calvin Dong and is narrated by filmmakers Yuqing Lin and Elizabeth Figueroa. |
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Please join us in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!
Wednesday, May 31st, 6:30pm
Tufts Medical Center - Wolff Auditorium (Lower Level)
800 Washington St. Boston MA 02111 (T: Orange Line)
The 7th Annual BAAFF Short Waves: Short Film Competition has begun! Short Waves hopes to bring light to stories about the Asian American experience through locally made, community-driven short films.
We will be screening the submissions from Short Waves Open Call, followed by a Q&A and reception with the filmmakers. Locally made, short films about the Asian American experience and community. Seating is limited—reserve your seat now and be the first to find out which finalist will make it into the festival this fall!
We will be serving food generously donated by Chicken And Rice Guys during the reception.
We are also having a social gathering afterwards at Crave - Mad for Chicken with Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) for anyone who would like to carry on the celebration through the night!
Short Waves winner benefits include:
- Sharing your story with the community
- Automatic acceptance into the upcoming BAAFF
- Network with other featured filmmakers & participate in Q&As
- 2017 VIP Festival Pass
Wednesday, May 31st, 6:30pm
Tufts Medical Center - Wolff Auditorium (Lower Level)
800 Washington St. Boston MA 02111 (T: Orange Line)
The 7th Annual BAAFF Short Waves: Short Film Competition has begun! Short Waves hopes to bring light to stories about the Asian American experience through locally made, community-driven short films.
We will be screening the submissions from Short Waves Open Call, followed by a Q&A and reception with the filmmakers. Locally made, short films about the Asian American experience and community. Seating is limited—reserve your seat now and be the first to find out which finalist will make it into the festival this fall!
We will be serving food generously donated by Chicken And Rice Guys during the reception.
We are also having a social gathering afterwards at Crave - Mad for Chicken with Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW) for anyone who would like to carry on the celebration through the night!
Short Waves winner benefits include:
- Sharing your story with the community
- Automatic acceptance into the upcoming BAAFF
- Network with other featured filmmakers & participate in Q&As
- 2017 VIP Festival Pass
PAST WINNERS
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2016 Short Waves Winner:
"Unspoken" Directed by Amanda Huang » This film speaks volumes about the harmful impact of stereotypes on the conversation surrounding Asian-American mental health. Director Amanda Huang uses personal narrative to bring this issue to light and expand this conversation. 2015 Short Waves Winner: "Closeness" Directed by Thuan Hien » 2014 Short Waves Winner: "Who I really am..." Directed by Jose Soto » 2013 Short Waves Winner: "Color Theory" Directed by Minhae Shim » 2012 Short Waves Winner: "My 2009 Experience" Directed by Henry Ho » 2011 Short Waves Winner: "Wear I Fit" Directed by Pratna Kem » |