AM2 (Animation, Music, and Manga) are looking for attendee models (male and female) to strut down the AM2 runway for various Japanese brands (Putumayo, Sikh) during the three day convention event at the Anaheim Convention Center. Interested parties can register online and those selected will receive a one (1) day fast-pass/Passport and will receive all benefits associated it for themselves and a friend. All participating models selected MUST show up for a scheduled fitting prior to the event.
Deadline to be considered is May 15th, 2012. More info and model registration can be found here.
Follow AM2 on Facebook and Twitter!
About AM2:
Located in Anaheim, California – AM2, established in 2010, is a multi-day (3 days) 24 hour event with no general attendance/badge purchase requirement and is aspiring to be a key meeting place for fans that share a common interest in Asian music, Animation/Anime, and Comics/Manga. Nominal fees are charged for certain activities that attendees choose to participate in. AM2 will be held on June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center in sunny Anaheim, California. More information can be found at www.am2con.org.
From director Sharon Kon comes a new type of love story with an unexpected ending. “The Father’s Love”, which Kon both wrote and produced, is a full-length narrative film. In the movie, main character, Sarah, discovers that forgiveness is the key to true love while struggling to find fulfillment in relationships after moving to New York City.
Director, Producer, and Writer, Kon, was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kon is passionate about producing films with not only aesthetic appeal but also thought-provoking and ultimately life-changing to each viewer.
“The Father’s Love” launched on April 3, 2012. A trailer can be viewed on its’ website at http://thefatherslovemovie.com/
I’ve never been more tempted to crash a party after watching Meeghan Henry’s newest video, ‘Crash A Party’, which premiered on March 24, 2012. Unfortunately, I might have to wait a few more weeks to grow my nails out to blend in with Henry’s girl posse.
18-year-old Henry, born in Jakarta, Indonesia, came to the US at the age of four. Henry made a name for herself in Hollywood following the release of her debut single, “When I’m 18”, along with her first album in 2010.
On March 27, Meeghan’s premiere party rocked the city of streets of LA until the break of dawn at Exchange LA. “Crash A Party”’ is the first single from Henry’s second album that is set to be released in a few months.
The gorgeous and ever-romancing city of London was the ideal spot for the star-studded red carpet world premiere of the upcoming motion picture, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”.
The lavish event was held on February 7th at the legendary Burzon Mayfair Cinema and brought out the acclaimed cast and crew of the film.
Director by Academy Award-nominated director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love), the film follows a group of British retirees who decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. This is where Indian actor Dev Patel comes in, who is best known for his previous role in “Slumdog Millionaire”. The film also stars British actors Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love, James Bond series), Bill Nighy (Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean), and Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton, Batman Begins).
“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is set to open in theaters in the US on May 4, 2012.
Many of us have experienced the feeling of living in the shadows of our parents. The charming romantic comedy, Cast Me If You Can, tells the story of Hiroshi, a perpetual supporting actor, living in the shadow of his famous playwright father. Helmed by award-winning director Atsushi Ogata (Eternally Yours), a graduate of Harvard College and MIT’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies, and known as “Japan’s answer to Woody Allen,” the film features a veteran star cast including Toru Masuoka, Hiromi Nagasaku, Masahiko Tsugawa, Keiko Matsuzaka, and Emoto Akira. Already an award-winner in numerous film festivals in major U.S. cities, as well as overseas in China, India and Germany, Cast Me If You Can was a hit in its native Japan where it has been turned into a novel.
If you missed the special screening last week in Los Angeles presented by the University of Southern California’s Japan Film Society, the film is now available on DVD here. Check out the trailer here:
This week’s Happenings 3.14-3.26
Yes, springing forward doesn’t make the second week of March all that appealing. Luckily, however, Audrey has some thoughtful, creative, and literary opportunities for you to be thankful for the “extra” sunny hours on this month of the four-leaf clover.
ASIAN WOMAN GIVING CIRCLE
– Open Call for Proposals
When: Now through Monday March 26, 2012
Where: www.asianwomengivingcircle.org/apply.htm
The Asian Women Giving Circle is pleased to announce the 2012 Request for Proposals for their Women, Arts and Activism grants.
Through this RFP, the Asian Women Giving Circle seeks to support Asian American women-led projects that use the tools of culture, the arts, and education to raise awareness around issues that impact Asian American communities. The focus of this grant making will be on programs and projects that combine the arts with activism and that highlight and promote women’s central role in their leadership, creation, development and management.
The deadline for submitting a proposal is Monday, March 26, 2012 at 5 pm (Eastern Standard Time).
I’m sure that most of you, especially those college students from the California area, have been following Janet Liang’s story. Janet is a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2009.
Currently, Janet has until June 2012 to find a bone marrow donor to reverse her condition or she will lose her fight against cancer.
Because Asian Americans make up only 7% of the total bone marrow registry, the pool of donors that Janet has to choose from is very limited. However, we can change this by registering, which only requires filling out a short questionnaire and taking a completely painless oral swab test.
Please visit: http://helpingjanet.tumblr.com/how-to-register to find out where and how you can register.
And update from Janet can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NDgv1K26EM&feature=player_embedded
During the night of the Oscar’s, an award was given for a film not too familiar to the general public. Pakistan’s “Saving Face”, a 40-minute documentary focuses on the senseless acid attacks against women in Pakistan, was this year’s winner for Best Documentary Short.
After the film’s victory at the Oscars, a first for Pakistan, co-director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, 33, gave a stirring speech in which she dedicated the film to “all the women in Pakistan who are working for change.”, and adding, “Don’t give up on your dreams.”
Obaid-Chinoy is Pakistani, and was born in Karachi to Urdu speaking parents. She graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Government, and from Stanford University with a master’s in International Policy Studies in 2003, and a master’s in Communication in 2004.
Web interest in the film immediately jumped after the Oscar win. Yahoo! searches for the film surged an astounding 3,362%, demonstrating that people are clearly interested in learning about the history and reasoning behind these horrifying acid attacks.
“Saving Face” is set to air on March 8th on HBO.
Sometimes an internationally known star and a brand just, mix. Sometimes a face and a personality just fit into a brand. Sometimes.
This wasn’t just “Sometimes” for Tokidoki, as on Feburary 1st, the pop culture brand, meaning “sometimes” in Japanese, announced its partnership with International recording artist Jasmine Villegas.
Though only 18, Villegas, a Filipino-Mexican American teen R&B, pop and soul singer is no stranger to the business of branding and entertainment. Villegas has recently signed with Sony Music Entertainment, and was the opening act for the second leg of Justin Bieber’s My World Tour in 2010. Since releasing her much anticipated mix tape in September of 2011, Jasmine has amassed a huge following and is currently ranked the 8th most powerful artist, 9th most powerful woman on Twitter with 961,709 followers, and has accumulated 58 million Youtube views.
“I am so excited to be the new face of Tokidoki” said Villegas. “The style is so me! Simone’s designs and products are so cute, everywhere I go – girls come up and tell me how much they love Tokidoki!”
Beginning in January ‘12, the partnership will include in-store appearances and special events.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Jasmine,” said Tokidoki CEO Ivan Arnold. “She will represent Tokidoki apparel, accessories and beauty in a fresh and fun way that speaks directly to our consumer.”
I’ve honestly never been one to believe in horoscopes or astrology of any kind. I used to only look it up for kicks. However, when life throws you curve balls, or places you in unforeseen situations, you find yourself looking for a little guidance or insight from a higher power or a cultural entity. Here, some fun predictions for 2012, the Year of the Dragon.
This year, the DRAGON is set to double their efforts in whatever they do — work, education, or other projects. 2012 predicts 
that Dragons will be very lucky this year. This could mean the start of a happy marriage, the beginning of a successful business, or a lucky lottery win. In addition, their natural talent and abilities should stand out with great results. However, watch that fire breath! Dragons are known for their tempers, so keep it in check as to not spoil your good work.
