KAFFNY — Korean American Film Festival New York » Announcements

5th KAFFNY 2011 Call for Entries!

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:52:22 +0000

5th KAFFNY 2011 Call for Entries

THE FESTIVAL
5th KAFFNY 2011 is scheduled for February 2011. KAFFNY is a New York film festival screening works of interest to the local Korean American and broader community. Our festival features films of all subject matter, genres and lengths from a variety of perspectives.

CALL FOR ENTRIES
We are now accepting entries for 5th KAFFNY 2011.

Features:
Narrative or Documentary films, completed January 1st, 2009 or later.
Films longer than 60 minutes.

Shorts Competition:
All genres, completed January 1st, 2009 or later.
Films shorter than 30 minutes preferred.
Jury Award – Cash Prize TBD
Audience Award – Cash Prize TBD

Shorts:
All genres, completed any date.
Films shorter than 30 minutes preferred.

Internet:
All genres, completed any date.
Films will be screened on a rolling basis throughout the year at www.kaffny.com.
There is no deadline for Internet entries.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Entry Forms
Fill out online entry form at: www.kaffny.com/2011entryform
Accepted exhibition formats are: 35mm, HDCam, Digibeta, or Betacam.

2. DVD Screeners
Send DVD preview screeners (NTSC, Region 0 or 1) to:

KAFFNY
c/o Barrel
104 W 27th Street, 11A
New York, NY 10001

*There is no entry fee!
**Do not send DVDs in fiber filled envelopes! The fibers can ruin both your screeners and our equipment.

REGULATIONS
Deadline: Entry Forms and DVD screeners must be received in our offices no later than November 30th, 2010. Submitting early gives you more time for consideration, and helps you avoid the risk of missing the deadline. You may send more than one entry at a time. Press Kits are not required until after selection.

Premiere Status: There is no premiere requirement with KAFFNY, although making at least your NY premiere with us is favorable.

Preview Format: All preview screeners must be submitted on DVD (NTSC, Region 0 or 1) and be in English or have English subtitles.

Exhibition Format: Accepted formats for exhibition are: 35mm, HDCam, Digital Beta NTSC, or Betacam NTSC. Film prints must be traditional “married” release prints with sound.

Festival Notification: Final program determinations will be made by January 15th, 2011. You will be notified in writing on or before that date, whether your film has been selected.

Loss and Damage: Every precaution will be taken to safeguard all materials submitted while in our possession. However, we cannot accept or assume responsibility in the event of loss or damage.

For an immediate acknowledgement of our receipt of your submission, include a self-addressed stamped postcard, which we will send back to you. If you’d like your preview copy returned, include a self-addressed, stamped mailing package. Screeners will otherwise not be returned.

Please direct your inquires to info@kaffny.com. Also, visit our website at www.kaffny.com.

Interview with Eric Rhee, producer PBS TV series on Korean Food

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:13:14 +0000

What is the project you are currently working on and what inspired you to do it?

I’m currently working on a TV series for PBS called “Stop and Bap” (working title). It’s a food and travel series about Korean food and culture with Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten and his wife Marja, a Korean American adoptee with an amazing story.

My biggest inspiration is my mom. Her love for food and cooking for our family is something I am so grateful for and something I feel many Korean Americans have in common. Also, having produced on a similar series about Spain with Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Bittman, and Claudia Bassols, I felt the need to also do a series that shares the beauty of Korea, it’s people, history and culture.

What is the scale/scope of this project? What is the size of the production?

The final product will be 13 half-hour episodes expected to air on PBS starting Spring 2011. We are also producing a companion book to the series that will have photos and recipes of the trip by Marja and Jean Georges. Another important goal we would like to do is setup a website that gives people the ability to watch the series, learn the recipes, and even purchase some of the ingredients from our site.

In terms of the actual production, we like to travel as light and lean as possible. We usually travel 3-4 cameramen, a sound engineer, some lighting personnel, the director, myself, a couple production support staff and the talent. It ends up being anywhere from 10-15 people traveling like the Brady Bunch.

Who is supporting the project?

The main sponsors have been the Visit Korean Committee and the Korean Food Foundation. We also have private sponsors that include: Samsung, CJ, Hite Jinro Group, Amore Pacific, Korean Air, and the Westin Chosun Hotel

To what target audience do you plan on airing/screening the project?

Our target audience is anyone who loves food, travel, or has some interest to learn about some Korean culture. Throughout the series, we feel there will always be a great story to tell. While we don’t intend the series to cover everything on Korean culture, we hope that the stories such as seeing how green tea is grown and roasted to seeing some of the vibrant markets and restaurants in Korea will inspire people to try visiting Korea or perhaps try some Korean food.

What difficulties did you have trying to get the project off the ground? What production issues have you had?

One of the more difficult things was to get our 1st sponsor to commit to the series and negotiating the terms. If people see you have at least 1 sponsor, it’s an easier sell and quite frankly, you really can’t start a project if you have zero sponsors. And usually, governments are nice organizations to approach first because at least for what I do, there’s usually a tourism and/or agriculture budget each year that can be available.

There are always production issues whether it’s personnel, equipment, logistics, etc. We haven’t had any major issues (knock on wood), but something that’s always hard to do in production is timing and scheduling things. Weather, personnel, or even equipment can change the location or timing of a shoot. We also try to do our best to plan for contingencies and make the best of a day, but more important than that is to communicate with the crew and people involved in the stories to make sure people understand what’s going on.

What issues do you foresee?

I think we are going to continue to face challenges with scheduling and timing, which also has implications on the budget. I hope when we plan our Fall shoot, we can build an efficient yet flexible schedule to make sure we maximize the amount of footage and avoid any idle time. Idle time is the worst, especially if the crew is on the clock! I also think that in the post production phase, we’ll have to do a lot of research to give viewers a bit more background and context and to do that will require a lot of time and feedback from many many many people.

What effect do you think/hope this project will have on your audience?

I hope for Koreans and Korean Americans they can watch it and appreciate some aspects of their Korean heritage. For non-Koreans, I hope they can learn something about what I feel is a fascinating culture and try some of the great food I’ve been able to enjoy. I really believe there’s something for everyone in Korean cuisine and it isn’t just BBQ and Kimchi, there’s hundreds of dishes ranging from vegetarian to seafood and from spicy to savory.

picnic overlooking island

Eric Rhee, producer of “Stop and Bap” (working title) PBS TV Series

by Dave Kim

D.K. What is the project you are currently working on and what inspired you to do it?

E.R. I’m currently working on a TV series for PBS called “Stop and Bap” (working title). It’s a food and travel series about Korean food and culture with Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten and his wife Marja, a Korean American adoptee with an amazing story.

D.K. What is the scale/scope of this project? What is the size of the production?

E.R. The final product will be 13 half-hour episodes expected to air on PBS starting Spring 2011. We are also producing a companion book to the series that will have photos and recipes of the trip by Marja and Jean Georges. Another important goal we would like to do is setup a website that gives people the ability to watch the series, learn the recipes, and even purchase some of the ingredients from our site.

D.K. Who is supporting the project?

E.R. The main sponsors have been the Visit Korean Committee and the Korean Food Foundation. We also have private sponsors that include: Samsung, CJ, Hite Jinro Group, Amore Pacific, Korean Air, and the Westin Chosun Hotel

D.K. To what target audience do you plan on airing/screening the project?

E.R. Our target audience is anyone who loves food, travel, or has some interest to learn about some Korean culture. Throughout the series, we feel there will always be a great story to tell. While we don’t intend the series to cover everything on Korean culture, we hope that the stories such as seeing how green tea is grown and roasted to seeing some of the vibrant markets and restaurants in Korea will inspire people to try visiting Korea or perhaps try some Korean food.

making food

D.K. What difficulties did you have trying to get the project off the ground? What production issues have you had?

E.R. One of the more difficult things was to get our 1st sponsor to commit to the series and negotiating the terms. If people see you have at least 1 sponsor, it’s an easier sell and quite frankly, you really can’t start a project if you have zero sponsors. And usually, governments are nice organizations to approach first because at least for what I do, there’s usually a tourism and/or agriculture budget each year that can be available.

D.K. What issues do you foresee?

E.R. I think we are going to continue to face challenges with scheduling and timing, which also has implications on the budget. I hope when we plan our Fall shoot, we can build an efficient yet flexible schedule to make sure we maximize the amount of footage and avoid any idle time. Idle time is the worst, especially if the crew is on the clock! I also think that in the post production phase, we’ll have to do a lot of research to give viewers a bit more background and context and to do that will require a lot of time and feedback from many many many people.

D.K. What effect do you think/hope this project will have on your audience?

E.R. I hope for Koreans and Korean Americans they can watch it and appreciate some aspects of their Korean heritage. For non-Koreans, I hope they can learn something about what I feel is a fascinating culture and try some of the great food I’ve been able to enjoy. I really believe there’s something for everyone in Korean cuisine and it isn’t just BBQ and Kimchi, there’s hundreds of dishes ranging from vegetarian to seafood and from spicy to savory.

Jean Georges

Watch the KAFFNY 2010 Trailer

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:07:37 +0000

Buy your tickets today!

Watch Trailers for Our Four Features

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:55:15 +0000

On Sunday, February 28, we will be screening four feature films at SVA Theatre.

2PM
Thirst directed by Chan-Wook Park
Going Home directed by Jason Hoffman

4:30PM
Munyurangabo directed by Lee Isaac Chung
Make Yourself at Home directed by Soopum Sohn

Watch trailers for these four features:

Be sure to buy tickets – our early price is just $8!

KAFFNY 2010 Program Released

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:11:54 +0000

KAFFNY is pleased to announce this year’s program (pending confirmation by the filmmakers). This year’s festival will take place at SVA Theatre on Saturday Feb. 27th and Sunday Feb. 28th.

SHORTS COMPETITION

The Last Mermaids
Directed by Liz Chae

A Green Mountain in the Drawer
Directed by Hwa Jun Lee

His Name Is Trevor
Directed by Kim Seuk Hwan

A Cup of Coffee
Directed by Lee Young Woo

Maley from India
Directed by Jang Jaehyun

Hide and Seek
Directed by Chih-Wei Chang

My Four Inch Precious
Directed by Sou Yun Sim

Crippled
Directed by Ien Chi

SHORTS

L’Asilo di Brea
Directed by Dae Hoon Kim

Une Vie Merveilleuse a Paris
Directed by Sungmi Park

The 8th Samurai
Directed by Justin Ambrosino

Duelers
Directed by Min Oh

A School Rep
Directed by Park Sang-Joon

One Night in LA
Directed by Jon Maxwell

Deli
Directed by Hosik Kim

The Tin Soldier
Directed by Jennifer Cho Suhr

Familyship
Directed by Yoon Hye-Ryeom

Meet Parents
Directed by Yang Jun-ho

Our Knight
Directed by Eugene Yi

FEATURES

Make Yourself at Home
Directed by Soopum Sohn

Munyurangbo
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung

Thirst
Directed by Chan Wook Park

Going Home
Directed by Jason Hoffman

New Venue!

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:58:59 +0000

KAFFNY 2010 will take place at SVA Theatre in Chelsea this year.

Date: Saturday, February 27, 2010 – Sunday, February 28, 2010
Location: SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Visit www.svatheatre.com for more information.

KAFFNY 2010 Call for Submissions

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:22:49 +0000

THE FESTIVAL

The 4th Annual Korean American Film Festival New York (KAFFNY) is scheduled for February 27th 2010 at TheTimesCenter. KAFFNY is a one-day New York festival screening works by emerging Korean American filmmakers. Our program features films of all genres and lengths from a variety of Korean and American perspectives.

New for 2010 is our Narrative Shorts Competition with Jury and Audience Awards with cash prizes. Also new are Web Screenings, submissions received and selections screened on a rolling basis year round, open to all genres, completed by any date.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

We are now accepting short film submissions from filmmakers of Korean descent and of any nationality.

Narrative Shorts Competition:
Narrative films, completed January 1st, 2008 or later.
Filmmakers of Korean descent and any nationality.
Films shorter than 30 minutes preferred.
Jury Award – Cash Prize $500
Audience Award – Cash Prize $500

Shorts Program:
All genres, completed any date.
Filmmakers of any descent and any nationality.
Films shorter than 30 minutes preferred.

Feature Presentation:
Narrative or Documentary films, completed January 1st, 2008 or later.
Filmmakers of Korean descent and any nationality.
Films longer than 60 minutes preferred.

Web Screenings:
All genres, completed any date.
Films will be screened on a rolling basis throughout the year at www.kaffny.com

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Step 1:
Fill out online entry form at: www.kaffny.com/2010entryform

Step 2:
Send DVD submissions, NTSC Region 0 or 1, to:
KAFFNY
c/o Barrel
42 W 24th Street
New York, NY 10010

The submission deadline is November 30, 2009 (except Web Screenings). There is no entry fee for the deadline. Programming decisions will be made by December 31st, 2009.

Please direct your inquires to info@kaffny.com. Also, visit our website at www.kaffny.com.

ORGANIZERS
Dae Hoon Kim – Festival Director
Peter Kang – Coordinator
Susie Lim – PR/Marketing