Fil-Am movie to open prestigious LA Asian Pacific Film Festival

(Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival/Deadline.com)

LOS ANGELES — One of the first two winners of ABS-CBN Cinematografo Originals Contest seed grants, “Yellow Rose,” will hold its world premiere as the chosen Opening Night film of the prestigious 35^th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF).

Presented annually by Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premiere Asian Pacific American media arts center, LAAPFF is a highlight of the month of May, which is Asian American Heritage Month. It draws over 100 films annually from Asian American and Asian international filmmakers.

“Yellow Rose” screens on Opening Night, Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles. LAAPFF is from May 2-10, and will present films in Little Tokyo, Downtown Los Angeles, and the L.A. Live Entertainment Center.

Written and directed by Filipino American award-winning film documentary and commercial director “Yellow Rose” tells the story of a headstrong Filipina teen from a small Texas town, fighting to pursue her country music dreams while facing the threat of deportation.

“Yellow Rose” is the first film by a Filipina American director to be selected as Opening Night presentation at the LAAPFF. It is also the first attempt by Paragas at a full-length feature.

“Yellow Rose” stars Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada, Tony Award winning actress and Grammy nominee Lea Salonga, country music star Dale Watson, Liam Booth, Gustavo Gomez (“The Walking Dead”), Libby Villari (“Boyhood”), and Princess Punzalan.Original songs were written by Watson, Paragas, Noblezada and cast.

“I am so humbled that our film has been chosen for this honor,” Paragas was quoted by Deadline.com and LAtfUSA.com. “’Yellow Rose’ has taken over 15 years to make and it couldn’t come at a more important time when anti-immigrant sentiment is at an all-time high. This is a story for everyone facing challenges in finding their voice, their dreams and, more importantly, their home.”

Paragas is also producing the film along with Cecilia Mejia, Orian Williams, Rey Cuerdo and Co-Producer Jeremiah Abraham. “Yellow Rose” is supported by New York based Asian CineVision, Cinematografo Originals (ABS-CBN Global), and was awarded the Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant last year by the New York Women in Film & Television.

LAAPFF will announce its full line up on Monday, April 1. Visual Communications Member presale ticketing will be available from Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5; ticketing for the general public will be available starting Friday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. PST.

For more information, visit festival.vcmedia.org