Hello SDAFF friends, Now that it's June, we're gearing up for a summer full of great films and events. A special thanks to our fabulous members who packed the house for our first members-only "Departures" screening. We also want to thank our supporters who came out for our quarterly screening of "Treeless Mountain." If you still want to see these films, you're in luck! Read on for more details.
	"Departures" and "Treeless Mountain" now playing Don't miss your chance to see critically acclaimed Korean film, "Treeless Mountain" and "Departures," winner of Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, which are still playing in San Diego! Treeless Mountain Reading Gaslamp Theater 701 5th Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Departures Landmark La Jolla Village Cinemas 8879 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037 We're offering a special SDAFF discount for "Treeless Mountain." Just mention "San Diego Asian Film Foundation" at the Reading Gaslamp box office to get $5 tickets to "Treeless Mountain" for the following show times: 2:55, 4:55, 6:55. For more information on times, venues, and films, click here.
	San Diego vigil for journalists in North Korea By now you've heard about the plight of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling (sister of Lisa Ling), who have been sentenced in North Korea to 12 years of hard labor. They were taken into custody by North Korean soldiers while reporting for Current TV on the trafficking of women along China's border. Hundreds across the U.S. staged protests to send a message last week. We are trying to organize a vigil this Friday at 6:30 PM (location TBA). Along with a candlelight vigil, we are preparing to share a gripping documentary about children in North Korea called "Shadows and Whispers." So please mark your calendars, and check our web site for updates. In the meantime, you can send an email the State Department to demand they step up negotiations with North Korea. You can also sign the petition. With all the news coming out of North Korea lately, we are currently working on a special spotlight of films on North Korea for this year's 10th San Diego Asian Film Festival in October. The North Korean spotlight will include both documentary and narrative features, as well as a moderated public discussion.
	SDAFF winner "Santa Mesa" on DVD Director Ron Morales won last year's Best Narrative Feature with his wonderful film, "Santa Mesa," which is now on DVD. "Santa Mesa" is a touching story about a young Filipino American boy, forced to move to the Philippines to live his grandmother after the death of his mother. You can purchase "Santa Mesa" on Amazon. If you do, please use this special SDAFF link as Amazon donates 3% of all purchases back to the SDAFF.
	Business Spotlight: Blacklava This week's Business Spotlight goes to Blacklava clothing. Brought to you by our good friend, Ryan Suda, Blacklava has developed some of the freshest, clever, and most politically charged Asian American clothing in the nation. They've made it easy for you to represent their clothing all throughout the year with a special SDAFF Member discount. They have generously provided 15% off the entire purchase for all SDAFF Members. For more information on the Blacklava, click here. For information on how to utilize the Blacklava discount, email daniel@sdaff.org. See the full list of benefits and discounts.
	Member Spotlight: Erika Hiramatsu This week we have the opportunity to meet one of our favorite members, Erika Hiramatsu. "I became a member because I realized not only how fantastic Asian movies can be, but also how much I would miss the opportunity to see them if we didn't have the film festival. For my friends and I, the festival has evolved from a "movie night" into a bonding experience." For the rest of the interview, click here.
	Beer and Sake Festival The 2009 Beer and Sake Festival is quickly approaching! With over 50 specialty beers, sakes, and wines, this Japan Society event promises to be a very memorable evening. For the first time, the event will feature the California State Regional Sushi Masters Competition. Thursday, June 25, 2009 6:00 PM-10:00 PM San Diego Marriott Del Mar $60 General; $40 for Japan Society Members The Japan Society has been generous enough to provide the $40 ticket price for SDAFF Members. If you would like to purchase tickets at the $40 level, please email daniel@sdaff.org. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
	Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival call for entries Our friends at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, are now accepting submissions. Their 2nd annual festival is October 8-11, 2009. Final postmark deadline for submissions is June 30, 2009.
	Latest SDAFF blog entry We've launched our new blog to get you the 411 and the scoop on the latest SDAFF and Asian cinema news. "Say hello to Shu Qi. She's my homegirl. Yea right... Shimmy wishes. I actually didn't know much about her, until I found out that she was on the jury for 2009 Cannes Film Festival." For the rest of the blog entry, click here.
	Please forward this to friends or family who may not know about us. If you are not currently subscribed to our eNewsletter, it's really easy. Just go to our home page and enter your email address on the right. Thanks for reading and staying connected! Your friends at the San Diego Asian Film Foundation Follow the SDAFF on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and MySpace to be in the know on all your favorite Foundation events and happenings. Add us at: facebook myspace twitter flickr youtube
	THE MISSION OF THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FOUNDATION IS TO CONNECT AUDIENCES WITH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE PAN ASIAN MEDIA ARTS. IN DOING SO, WE HELP BUILD A CULTURED AND COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY.