November 2, 2009 | Yvonne Lim Wilson
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Six years ago a little film festival known as the Austin Asian Film Festival started up, based mainly within the UT community. Then California native Masashi Niwano came to town to shake things up when he took over the festival in 2006.
The Austin Asian Film Festival was re-christened the Austin Asian American Film Festival in 2008 to reflect a greater emphasis on Asian American films. It has gone beyond just films to also include panel discussions, music, parties, and, most recently, awards.
The Festival has grown to become a major event for Austin and for Asian Americans across the country as well as internationally. It’s amazing to see this Festival grow every year and move in new directions. I had a chance to chat with Masashi about his passion for film, the festival and the Asian American community.
For more information about the Austin Asian American Film Festival and to purchase tickets to the event Nov. 12 – 15, visit www.aaaff.org.
AA: Have you always interested in film?
MN: My parents got me a video camera at age 11, and I started making videos and music videos at a young age. I went to San Francisco State University and got my film degree there.
I interned at CAAM [Center for Asian American Media], which produces the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Their festival is the second largest in America [behind Los Angeles]. It was really great to work with them … I was an archival intern, which meant that I catalogued films in databases and I was able to keep extras. I also did theater management and was a volunteer coordinator.
When I started as an intern at the [San Francisco] Film Festival, my focus shifted. I made a film “Fallen Stars,” and it showed … but I realized for me, showing other peoples films was more fulfilling than making my own.
AA: I love the commercial you filmed with the Asian stereotypes for this year’s AAAFF.
MN: That’s our goal: we want to make it fun. It was a spoof of sex line commercials. They’re trying to sell you a fantasy you want; that stereotype is clearly ridiculous, and not something you want.
AA: What drives you in your work with the Festival?
MN: I want to do everything I can to make Asian American film and Asian American art as visible as possible. Even if that means every weekend of mine is consumed by it – there are so many great artists. It’s one of the only things I know I’m really good at. There’s kind of this, “if I don’t do this, who will?” I know there are others who can, but why don’t I do it, put together an amazing staff and make it happen. I couldn’t do it without them as well as community partners like the Austin Film Society, UT groups and others. It’s so great in Austin we have so many supportive groups.
It’s important to have different kinds of events. There are different demographics within the Asian American community. Young Asian Americans to come together and celebrate contemporary art and cultures but also respecting older films and artists.
AA: What is the hardest thing about your work with the festival?
Growing with the festival (it’s been three years now). I think of it as my baby. We went from 14 to 34 staff. I still try to manage everything. I have to let go. I have so many great people who have been on board now for years and to let go and to let them take over. Also, with the bad economy, getting businesses to donate and buy ad space. One of the things is to Plan B everything because it’s not an option to not do the festival.
AA: What advice do you have for young filmmakers and artists?
MN: Make art that is very personal to you that you know well. We get more than 250 entries every year. It’s very clear there are films you can tell [have strong technical expertise], but if it’s not honest or personal, it just doesn’t make it to the next step. Making a film is time consuming – make something you are very passionate about and you won’t get bored of.
Also, surround yourself with a group you can trust. Find one or two friends that you truly respect their opinion and can be completely honest with you and use that as a tool when you make your art. It’s helpful to have other people’s eyes.
AA: What’s your vision for a perfect Asian American community?
MN: In a perfect world, the Asian American world would be more of a community and take time to appreciate each other’s stories and art forms. For me, my outlet for all these stories is to take time out to watch films and think about our unique histories and to share with the younger community about how we got here and our histories. I hope we can come together as a pan-Asian community. If these groups can work together, it makes so much more sense on so many different levels.
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