HBO Launches First Asian Pacific American Short Film Competition

HBO has launched HBO Asian Pacific American Visionaries, a short film competition dedicated to showcasing emerging APA directors with unique perspectives of the Asian Pacific American experience. Three winning films will be awarded cash prizes and make their premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in April 2017 and offered the opportunity to license their film to premiere exclusively on HBO (and/or its on-demand, digital and/or social platforms) during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May 2017. The deadline for entries is November 7, 2016. Join the conversation on Twitter with hashtag #hbovisionaries.

The first competition of its kind for HBO, APA Visionaries aims to help further the dialogue about race, diversity and representation in Hollywood while offering unique and creative depictions of the Asian Pacific American experience. To help publicize the contest, HBO has produced a promotional videofeaturing SILICON VALLEY star Jimmy O. Yang encouraging APA directors to submit their films.

General criteria for submission includes:

• Running time: 10-15 minutes, inclusive of credits
• Films must have been directed by a person of Asian or Pacific Islander descent
• Director must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident 18 years of age or older, and of legal age of majority in his/her state of residence
• Films must be in the English language or contain English subtitles (common phrases acceptable)
• Films must be a festival premiere
• Films must have commenced principal photography on or after October 1, 2015
• Films must not have had any previous exhibition on broadcast, cable or online.
• Employees of HBO and any other Time Warner entity and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate

For complete details, visit www.hbovisionaries.com.

The judging panel is comprised of HBO executives and a panel of industry experts, including representatives from the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment.

"At a time when the most personal of stories are also the most universal, the diversity of our storytellers is more important than ever," stated Jackie Gagne, VP Multicultural Marketing at HBO. "Our competition is designed to celebrate the unique experiences and UNSUNG talent that exist within the Asian Pacific American community. We are also delighted and honored to have the support of incredible organizations with unparalleled legacies of promoting APA visionaries."

"It's inspiring to see a global entertainment brand like HBO take a leadership role in creating opportunities for Asian Pacific American filmmakers," said Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications, the organization that produces the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. "The exposure provided for the winners of this competition is truly incredible and worthy of our community's full support."

"This competition aligns directly with our organization's mission to champion AAPI filmmakers and artists," said Michelle K. Sugihara, Executive Director of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment). "We are proud to work with HBO to identify and empower new voices in the community."

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SOURCE Home Box Office, Inc.