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51 Countries of filmmakers come to Hollywood

Asian World Film Festival Fights Euro Odds in Oscar’s Backyard

Diane Garrett - Variety

http://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/asian-world-film-festival-2016-oscar-foreign-language-1201894554/

Fed up with Euro dominance of the Oscar foreign-language category, Sadyk Sher-Niyaz and Georges Chamchoum decided to do something about it: They created the Asian World Film Festivaland launched it in the industry’s backyard last year.

This story first appeared in the October 18, 2016 issue of Variety. Subscribe today.

Now the fest is returning for its second outing in Culver City: It kicks off Oct. 24 with a screening of Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia’s “Ali and Nino,” and concludes Nov. 1 with John H. Lee’s Korean hit “Operation Chromite,” starring Liam Neeson as Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The festival, sponsored by Variety, will honor pioneering “Bambi” illustrator Tyrus “Ty” Wong with a lifetime achievement award Oct. 24; Pam Tom’s documentary about him will screen on his 106th birthday the following day. Korean-American actor-director Justin Chon, best known for his work in the “Twilight Saga,” will receive the fest’s Rising Star Award. Panels on topics ranging from marketing to women in Hollywood are also on the agenda.

But the primary goal remains: To cast a greater spotlight on films from the region. To qualify for competition, films must be submitted for Oscars, or up for similar honors at the Golden Globes. A jury led by “Frozen River” producer Heather Rae will determine award winners over the course of the eight-day festival.

This year’s lineup includes “3000 Nights” (Jordan), “The Age of Shadows” (South Korea), “Interrogation” (India), “A Father’s Will” (Kyrgyzstan), “Cold of Kalandar” (Turkey), and “Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass” (Vietnam).

The festival is positioned after foreign-language Oscar entries were submitted to help Asian filmmakers gain traction during awards season. Chamchoum, executive director of the festival, considers the region’s paltry Oscar showing unjust considering the number of masterpieces made there over the years.

Since 1947, Asian movies have received seven foreign-language Oscars, and three honorary Oscars before the designation of the foreign-language category in 1956. All told, Japan and Russia/USSR are both tied for four each; Iran and Taiwan have each nabbed one Oscar each for their films.

Russia extends into the European continent but the bulk of the country is in Asia, and the festival counts past Russian- and Soviet-winners as Asian.

The Academy itself says it does not classify non-U.S. films by region.

“When you think of the wealth of talent it should be higher,” Chamchoum says. “If there was any justice as least a dozen would have won.”

By contrast, consider the European bounty: Italy and France have each won more foreign-language Oscars than the whole Asian continent, with 14 and a dozen, respectively. Spain has also picked up four Oscars, with Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands at three each.

Sher-Niyaz and Chamchoum both feel the disparity keenly as filmmakers themselves. Fest founder Sher-Niyaz, a native of Kyrgyzstan, directed “Kurmanjan Datka” (Queen of the Mountains) in 2014 and produced “Nomaden des himmels” (Heavenly Nomadic) last year. Chamchoum, born in Niger to a Lebanese family, was educated at a boarding school in France before becoming a filmmaker.

Now 70, he has been working in America for 25 years. He says his biggest frustration is an Euro Oscar tilt.

Once he and Sher-Niyaz hatched the festival plan, Chamchoun quickly worked his contacts to pull it together last year.

“It wasn’t even an idea of a festival when Sadyk approached me,” Chamchoum explains, praising him as a man of vision. “We have the same frustration about Asian cinema in Hollywood.”

He says he quickly rallied a team of organizers to the cause. “Didn’t even take 48 hours to set it up,” Chamchoum says.

There were frustrations along the way, but both Sher-Niyaz and Chamchoum are pleased with their first showing. Last year, 14 Oscar-submitted movies screened at the festival — proof, according to Sher-Niyaz, “that the idea of the festival was right and necessary.”

“Last year it went very well,” Chamchoum concurs, citing mostly full houses during screenings. “For a first year we really pulled a miracle because Hollywood is not easy.”

He considers “Ali and Nino” a particularly good fit for this year’s opening-night slot. The movie is an adaptation of a 1947 novel about a Muslim and Christian who fall in love despite their differences. Kapadia, a British filmmaker of Indian-Muslim heritage who just won an Oscar winner for his Amy Winehouse documentary, directed it.

“For me it has everything that we want,” Chamchoum says, before detailing its cross-cultural appeal. “It is the perfect example of what we’re trying to do with festival.”

“We were approached by the festival and delighted to be asked,” producer Kris Thykier says. He believes the movie has contemporary resonance despite its setting in World War I-era Azerbaijan, and wants as many moviegoers as possible to see it.

Thykier applauds the festival for showcasing diverse voices at a time when tribalism and xenophobia is on the rise around the globe.

“Anything that can bring diverse cultures and perspectives to a larger audience should be supported and applauded, particularly in a world riven by xenophobia and fear of ‘difference,’” he says.

Convincing some filmmakers to screen their movies at the festival has been more of a challenge than Chamchoum expected, however. He and his all-volunteer team try to get filmmakers to screen their movies for free in exchange for the exposure.

Each Oscar-submitted film will screen twice at the festival and 80% of all the Globes contenders will play twice, the remainder getting a solo screening. The festival draws from 51 countries, spanning from Cyprus to Japan and including movie-loving India.

But some consultants and publicists treat festivals as a business proposition, Chamchoum rails, admitting he has an old-school approach to the gatherings.

Another obstacle this year: Increased competition with other U.S. film festivals interested in booking Asian films, Sher-Niyaz says. “But we are thrilled at the same time that is happening,” he says in a translated email exchange. “That is what we have aimed for.”

The main goal, he adds, is that more Americans see important film projects from the region. Chamchoum expects to triple last year’s attendance, which he pegs above 7,000.

“I hope we have 25,000,” he says.

“There’s always frustration and anger,” putting a festival together, he says, “but passion and commitment takes over.”

As for Sher-Niyaz, he believes the festival he founded can help further highlight the need for diverse views and perspectives everywhere, Hollywood included.

“The world is different and thus interesting,” he says. “Politicians create walls and borders; people of culture and art try to create bridges to connect people.”

The second annual Asian World Film Festival runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 at ArcLight Culver City. Visit asianworldfilmfest.org for more information.

Thank you to Variety for the great article. ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

http://variety.com/2016/film/festivals/asian-world-film-festival-2016-oscar-foreign-language-1201894554/

ALL CREDIT for this article goes to 

Diane Garrett

Foreign films in Los Angeles 2016 - #AsianWorldFF

The Asian World Film Festival is taking place at the Arclight Cinemas in Culver City Friday-Monday, and is screening a wonderful range of films from across Asia including 20 Oscar submitted movies!
Please share this information with your friends, colleagues or students!  We hope to see you all at the festival!

Tickets are only $9 and all films screen at Arclight Cinemas in Culver City, 9500 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 (map).  

Parking is available at the city garages on Watseka Avenue (map) and Cardiff Avenue (map) nearby, and is free for the first 3 hours with cinema validation!  We hope you can join us for some stunning Asian movies!

Below are films and Show Times ( * means Oscar Submitted Movie).  Click on the link for a film description and to book tickets:

Fri Oct 28^th  11:00am      Vietnam - Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass*

Fri Oct 28^th  12:00m        Pakistan - Mah E Mir*

Fri Oct 28^th  2:00pm        Russia - Paradise*

Fri Oct 28^th  3:00pm        Mongolia - Mother

Fri Oct 28^th  5:00pm        Japan - Nagasaki, Memories of My Son

Fri Oct 28^th  6:00pm        Russia - The Student

Fri Oct 28^th  8:00pm        Lebanon - Halal Love

Sat Oct 29^th 11:00am       China/USA - Pali Road

Sat Oct 29^th 12:00pm       Malaysia - Redha

Sat Oct 29^th 2:00pm         Korea - Deer Flower (short)* & The Age of Shadows*

Sat Oct 29^th 3:00pm         Korea - The World of Us

Sat Oct 29^th 5:30pm         Russia - Zoology

Sat Oct 29^th 6:00pm         Kazakhstan – Road to Mother

Sat Oct 29^th 8:00pm         Turkey - Cold of Kalandar*

Sat Oct 29^th 9:00pm         Lebanon - Very Big Shot*

            Sun Oct 30^th 11:00am      Mongolia - The Faith

Sun Oct 30^th 2:00pm        Nepal - The Black Hen

Sun Oct 30^th 3:00pm        Jordan - 3000 Nights*

Sun Oct 30^th 5:00pm        Russia – Paradise*

Sun Oct 30^th 6:00pm        Iraq - El Clasico*

Sun Oct 30^th 8:00pm        Korea - Deer Flower (short)* & The Age of Shadows*

Sun Oct 30^th 9:00pm        Palestine - The Idol*

Mon Oct 31^st 11:00am    Palestine - The Idol*

Mon Oct 31^st 2:00pm      Jordan - 3000 Nights*

Mon Oct 31^st 3:00pm      Iraq - El Clasico*

Mon Oct 31^st 6:00pm      Kazakhstan - Amanat*

Mon Oct 31^st 8:00pm      Kyrgyzstan - A Father’s Will*

Mon Oct 31^st 9:00pm      Mongolia - Mother

The full festival schedule is at this link, and all the movie descriptions and options for buying movie tickets are at this link.

We hope to see you this Friday to Monday at the festival!

Kind regards,

ASIAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL1801 Century Park E, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90067www.asianworldfilmfest.org

Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles 2016

Quality foreign films in Los Angeles October 24 - November 1, 2016!

Don't worry If you missed the chance to join the festivities last year at the Asian World Film Festival, because they have another exciting festival ready for the international film community this year too! Festivals like this are huge for indie filmmakers like myself because it gives us a chance to meet international filmmakers right here in our home state. Networking is one of the most important elements of entertainment business and the Asian World Film Festival is creating a place where all the right people can meet.

 http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/

Mr. Georges Chamchoum (Executive & Program Director AWFF) is excited to connect the talented filmmakers of Asia with Hollywood! The hard work of his staff can truly be seen in the quality of their wonderful event. Take a moment to visit the website and learn more about the Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) 2016. This event is open for movie lovers, movie makers, family members and supporters of the Asian film community.

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/

It was great to see the AWFF create an opportunity for international filmmakers to introduce 30 movies that were represented by 27 countries to a fresh Los Angeles audience. Films were submitted from Lebanon, Philippines, China, India, and many more countries throughout Asia. The entire staff at AWFF should be proud to have provided a platform that screened 17 Oscar nominated movies and 10 Golden Globe submissions. Wow, Great work! I know that's not an easy task to accomplish.

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/

Asian World Film Festival 2016 will continue the celebration with the celebrities in Hollywood, California on October 24 - November 1 this year. They will be representing Asian cinema and allowing filmmakers from around the world to physically see what Hollywood is all about. Many filmmakers also take advantage of the professional seminars with industry experts that are offered throughout the festival. This is where the real connections are made for most independent filmmakers.

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/

A special thank you to all of the sponsors that have invested their time and money into making an event like this happen for our creative community... This year as an indie producer, I'd like to see many more film schools, veterans in film, women in film & TV, and Hollywood organizations like the Society of Camera Operators get involved with the success and longevity of the Asian World Film Festival.

"Champion, recognize and unite through cinema."

The Asian World Film Festival is organized under Aitysh USA, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization.

Website:

http://www.asianworldfilmfest.org/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AsianWorldFilmFest/

October 24 - November 1, 2016 

Blog written by:

George Ohan

HD Content Producer

Founder, Fulton Film Company

https://www.facebook.com/fultonfilmcompany/

Student Veterans Association - Puerto Rico - History is made!

It was a great day in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico for the military veteran community.  For the first time ever we witnessed an Installation Ceremony for a student veteran association on the island.  There were many community partners in attendance, friends, and veterans alike, came to support the PUPR Chapter in leading the charge for veteran students. 

This association will provide a place for veterans to communicate about classes, and build a team of people as a support network.  This will help them ensure success during their time as a student.  Groups like this are important because they represent veterans in the civilian community in a positive light.  They do this by giving veterans a chance to communicate with civilians and build long-lasting relationships.  We encourage all schools in Puerto Rico to follow the lead and organize a student veterans association on their campuses too.

As the Chapter Captain of Team Red, White and Blue, Puerto Rico Chapter, I am proud to be a part of this historic moment.  More importantly, as a veteran, I am proud to be able to pass along my knowledge and experience to help my fellow veterans make this idea a reality.  When I was attending The Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood, CA I was the chapter President for the Student Veterans of America (SVA) and that former experience has proven to be very useful in our current endeavours.  All veterans and the civilians that support us, must take care of our own community.  If you have a skill or talent that can help someone in our community please feel free to offer your services.  Let’s BUILD!

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
International Entrepreneur

This was the Oath that the new student Officers said:

Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico

Student Veterans Association – PUPR Chapter

Installation Ceremony

OATH

In the presence of honored guests/ and the members here assembled,/ we do solemnly promise and pledge to:

1.     Fully perform the duties of the position/ that we are soon to take on as Officers/ of the Student Veterans Association/ - PUPR Chapter.

2.     Honor the four principles of education:/ Leadership,/ diversity/, creativity and social transformation.

3.     Make this a voluntary association/, open to all student veterans/ willing to accept the responsibilities/ of being an active member.

4.     Assist the staff of the Office of Student Services/ and the Office of the Veterans Program Director/ in the coordination of activities/ benefiting PUPR Student Veterans.

5.     Respect and comply with the General Student Regulations/ of the University,/ so help us, God.

------------------------------------

Veterans Collaborative Of Puerto Rico

Share information to the Veteran community here:

https://www.facebook.com/VeteransCollaborativeOfPuertoRico 

PR2025 - What will Puerto Rico be like in 2025?

Let's think about it!

https://www.facebook.com/PuertoRico2025

Mirza Jakirlic – US Army Veteran

Audio Engineer for this event in Hato Rey

Veteranos Del Cine Y Entretenimiento

https://www.facebook.com/VETERANOSDELCINEYENTRETENIMIENTO

Brand your own company by using digital stortytelling

This blog is intended to help people that are seeking information about small business, entrepreneurship, and building their brand. (Branding & Marketing)

How can you tell your STORY using social media as a platform?  First you need to find out WHAT is your story....

Below you will find a list of questions that should start to help you discover your goals.  You'll also see a short "hint" question to get your creative juices flowing.  Take the proper time to answer the questions and start building your brand.

1. What are your goals?
What should people think when your name comes up, when they talk about you, or what you do?

2. What should be accomplished by your online presence?
Attract more qualified clients, look as professional as big companies, establishing a reputation?

3. What should people know you for?
Expert of organic food, go-to guy or girl for technology, most fresh flowers in Los Angeles.

4. Start to GOOGLE search everything........ Maybe some of you like Bing?
Doing research is a huge part of any business.  Who is the person that has a high status in the field that you're in?  Google them, what comes up?  Take notes from the best.

5. Are you unique?  Do you add value? IDENTIFY how you do this.
This can be how you approach projects, your philosophy, experience.
   -What is your voice; what do you have to say to the world?
   -What could you teach others?
   -What do you want to influence and what can you already influence?

This is a VERY short list of questions and ideas that can help a new business person get started on building their brand and start marketing their idea.

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
Entrepreneur

Photography by: George Ohan 

                                                Charco Azul, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

How to make money as a photographer

Photographers are real people too, ya know?  We have feelings, we have financial obligations, and some of us even have mothers.  OK?!   :-)

If your toilet was clogged, would you call the plumber and ask him to "hook you up on a free gig?"  The list goes on: mechanic, barber, chef, doctor, electrician, all of those people get paid for their services.... Right?

WHY should I pay a professional photographer?

1. His or Her TIME
2. Equipment - Digital camera & Lens package
3. Flash & Lighting
4. Memory cards or Film
5. Education, Training & Practice required to know this skill
6. Travel expenses
7. Time to process images in post-production
8. Promotional & website costs
9. Income tax for freelance
10. Phone
11. Food
12. Housing
13. Living expenses

.....but you can get good "Exposure" & "Experience" for your efforts.

MESSAGE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS:
------------------------------------------------
GET PAID, OR STARVE ARTIST.  You have to start getting paid for your craft at some point.... That point is NOW.  Start charging people what you are worth.  You are adding value to their situation with your art and craft.  They must respect your art with their wallets.  I hope this motivates a new photographer to start earning income and building their future.  You can be happy by getting paid to do what you love to do.  What services do you provide?  How much does it cost?  Make a list.

 (Some situations a barter is acceptable)

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan
Photographer
Puerto Rico
7/21/15

Photography by: Madlen G Photography
Los Angeles, CA
https://plus.google.com/+MadlengPhotography/posts

------------------------
Post Inspired by:
"HIRING A PHOTOGRAPHER OR WANTING TO USE THEIR IMAGES"
Mr. Dean Kirkland
(949) 433-2831
www.kirklanddigital.com

How do I start a new business - Entrepreneur

WARNING: This Blog will be informational and a little bit entertaining. 

So, let's go over the checklist:

1. Business Name
2. Awesome logo design
3. Business Card
4. Facebook "Like" page or Twitter account

Ok, you're DONE!  You, my friend, are an ENTREPRENEUR!!!!

NOT!!!!!!!!!

Why on Earth do people think by simply completing the four steps above that makes them a business owner / entrepreneur?  I really do not understand this madness.

Owning a business or becoming an entrepreneur is: a huge responsibility, a lot of research, hard work, persistence, creativity, positivity, leadership, initiative, and innovation.  If this does not describe you, please reconsider going into business.  This blog is not about discouraging anyone from pursuing their dreams of entrepreneurship.  This blog should be a wake-up call to those that have never considered some of the things I'll mention below.

Let's talk about a little word called PASSION...

 The reason I am writing this blog is because I had a meeting with a person (an idiot) today that had a decent idea, but he did not have any plan or research of how he would introduce his company to the market.  However, he DID have steps 1-4 at the top of this blog covered completely.  As I tried to give him any sort of business advice this man rejected 90% of anything that I told him with an excuse of why he didn't do that, or why my idea wouldn't work.  It's ok, it was my fault for taking the meeting.  I knew better than to waste my time just by reading his unprofessional email with grammatical errors.  I took the meeting because I appreciated the fact that the guy had enough sense to seek me out, he had a cool idea, and seemed PASSIONATE.  Big mistake!  Today I learned to not care about how passionate the person is if they don't have the hard work and understanding of their business to back up their passion.

I don't care if you're passionate about something, venture capitalist don't care that your passionate about something, and your invisible customers darn sure don't care if you're passionate about something IF 

you have not done the proper work to turn that passion into a feasible and attainable objective. 

"The world is not short of ideas, the world is short of execution." - Professor George Abe, UCLA Anderson School of Management

There are MANY steps to cover before going into business; listed below are a few things to consider and a good starting list to gather your information.

(Think Strategically) *NOTE* Strategy should be innovative, not imitative, to create a sustainable competitive advantage.  You should write or type out your answers; don't just answer it in your head.  If you don't know what something means, look it up.

1. What is the opportunity for this business?

2. Can I create a business concept to exploit that opportunity?

3. What resources do I need to exploit and take advantage of the opportunity?

4. How do I assemble and manage the operation?

5. How do I exit the operation?

6. Do we have a Mission Statement?

7. Why do we exist?

8. What is the pain that our customer has?

9. What are we trying to accomplish?

10. What is the purpose of this company?

11. What is the fatal flaw that can take you out instantly?

12. Why would anyone partner with me?

13. What business are you in, really?

14. What are we really good at?

15. What does the market place look like?

16. Who are our customers?

17. What important benefits do we provide to our customers?

18. Are these benefits sustainable? 

19. Where can this business be in 3-5 years?

20. Do I know how to read a lease properly?

21. What are the proper business licensees and permits required?

22. What are my threats, opportunities, weakness, and strengths?

23. What is the law of diffusion and innovation?

24. How can I define market segmentation?

25. What is my niche?

26. Have I completed a marketing mix?

This list can go on and on...... However, I will choose to stop here.  I hope that this will enlighten and encourage some people to really step their knowledge up.  This takes some time, intense focus, and a lot of dedication.  Don't give up!  Just know that every time you answer one of these questions you're giving yourself more of a chance to survive in the world of business.  If you're not willing to do it, it's ok because your competition is.

Entrepreneurship is a team sport.  Surround yourself with people that are much smarter than you are.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to educate yourself by reading this blog.  Please feel free to share this blog with anyone that you think can use the information too

.

Very Respectfully,

George Ohan

www.signaturexavier.com

@georgeohan - Instagram 

@LAfilmOhan - Twitter

www.youtube.com/ohangeorge 

UCLA, Anderson School of Management, Entrepreneurship (2012)

The Los Angeles Film School, Entertainment Business (2013)