We present the winners of the DisOrient, Asian American Film Festival, which took place in cinemas from March 8 – 10, 2024 (Eugene, USA) and online from March 11 – 17, 2024.

Best Feature Narrative

A Great Divide by Jean Shim – USA | 2023 – 100 minutes

Seen through the eyes of a Korean American family that leaves the Bay Area for small-town Wyoming after experiencing devastating loss, A GREAT DIVIDE addresses the emotional and psychological impact of racism and xenophobia on Asian Americans, the loneliness and sacrifice of immigrant sojourners and the generational burden of expectations that weigh on their children. But it’s also a story about a family repairing itself after tragedy, about a young man breaking out of his shell and finding love, about reconciliation and redemption. (DisOrient 2024)

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Best Feature Documentary

Starring Jerry As Himself by Law Chen – USA | 2023 – 76 minutes

This is a story about the producer’s father Jerry. Jerry is a retired Taiwanese immigrant living in Orlando. One day, he gets an urgent call from the Chinese police. They inform him that he’s the prime suspect in an international money laundering investigation where $1.28mm was illegally moved through his Florida bank account.

Under threat of arrest and extradition to China, the police force Jerry to cooperate and be an undercover agent in their case. Over the next few weeks, Jerry helps the police investigate an international money laundering case by taking surveillance photos of his bank, making top secret transfers, and even wearing a wire to spy on bank tellers. After months of keeping the investigation a secret, Jerry finally reveals everything to his family. His three sons decide to document his ordeal and discover the truth about what really happened and how it changed Jerry’s life forever.

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Best Short Narrative

Seoul Switch by Liann Kaye – USA | 2023 – 13 minutes

When an insecure, Korean American boy meets an International K-Pop Star who looks just like him, they decide to switch identities.

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Best Short Documentary

Kahuku Mana by Ryan Travis – USA | 2023 – 21 minutes

The Kahuku High School Red Raiders honor the memory of three fallen coaches and their Polynesian heritage by bringing a state championship to Hawaii’s North Shore of Oahu.

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Best Animation

Kilig! by Kacey Layson – USA | 2023 – 5 minutes

“A film about a mother and daughter, meeting each other where they are.” A reluctant Filipino-American daughter takes a trip with her mother to the island of Palawan to visit family. Their priorities clash but eventually, find a way back to each other.

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Best Music Video

No Clouds in My Summer by Mood Infinite, Jason Poon – USA | 2023 – 13 minutes

During a heated argument with his girlfriend, Tom’s memories begin to splinter & merge with his present.

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Special Recognition

Seeds of Kinship Award

The Gardener by Derek Shimoda – USA | 2024 – 75 minutes

A whimsical immigrant forges a deep-rooted bond with nature when life gives him a bitter one.

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Emerging Filmmaker Award

Sarah Holland for Egghead and Twinkie – USA | 2023 – 87 minutes

A comedy that follows two best friends, a queer mixed-Asian girl and a nerdy boy, on a road trip to find love and acceptance. The film is a crowdfunded project by and for Gen Z.

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Audience Awards will be uploaded later.

For more information, please visit: https://disorientfilm.org/