ORANGE, CA-The Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA) is proud to announce that Viet Film Fest 2016 will have a new home, at AMC Orange 30 (The Outlets at Orange) from April 14-17. Viet Film Fest’s new larger and more central location is emblematic of its trajectory from a Little Saigon dream to an internationally renowned platform for Vietnamese voices. With a total of 24 films (11 features and 13 shorts), from countries such as Vietnam, Australia, Norway, France, and the United States, Viet Film Fest’s 2016 lineup showcases many “firsts” in Vietnamese cinema.
The festival will open April 14 with Bitcoin Heist (Siêu Trộm), a technologically groundbreaking heist-action film from Ham Tran (Journey from the Fall). The film marks the first leading role for Suboi, Vietnam’s “Queen of Hip Hop,” who will be in attendance along with the film’s producer, Anderson Le.
Prepare to laugh and scream at Viet Nguyen’s Crush the Skull, which stars Youtube-darling, Christopher Dinh in this robber caper, romantic comedy, and torture horror film. Crush the Skull originally debuted as a short film at Viet Film Fest years ago, but is now returning as a full-length feature. It recently won the Best Narrative Feature at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
The Trống Đồng Award for Best Feature at Viet Film Fest 2016 goes to Victor Vu for his coming-of-age masterpiece, Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass (Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh). Set in Vietnam in 1980s, the film’s countryside imagery depicts a simpler time and explores the relationship between two young brothers. Victor Vu will attend to present his film, which won best film at the Silk Road International Film Festival in China.
Documentary screenings, followed by Q&A sessions with filmmakers and expert panelists will spotlight important social issues in the Vietnamese community. Painted Nails follows a Vietnamese nail slaon worker’s fight again health-threatening chemicals in nail products. Meanwhile, Finding Phong provides the audience with a profound glimpse into the physical and psychological voyage of a transwoman as she prepares to undergo gender confirmation surgery.
Closing the festival will be the directorial feature debut from Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Sweet Twenty (Em Là Bà Nội Của Anh). The director and breakthrough actress, Miu Le, will be in Orange County to promote this charming remake of a South Korean romantic comedy that recently became the highest-grossing film in Vietnam.
Viet Film Fest will continue its tradition of connecting the community through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and free screenings for students and seniors. Youth in Motion, VAALA’s film program that inspires youth to find their voices through the camera lens, will also have their films screened during the festival. Viet Film Fest 2016 is proudly sponsored by Wells Fargo, Macy’s, Union Bank, Brodard Chateau, Mobile Ad 4.Biz, DTNTech, Southern California Edison, Café Tu Tu Tango and UVSA.
Tickets are now available at the Viet Film Fest website. For more information about the festival, please visit www.vietfilmfest.com.
VIET FILM FEST 2016
When: April 14-17, 2016
Where: AMC 30 Orange
20 City Blvd. West, Suite E Orange, CA 92868
Website: www.vietfilmfest.com