2011 FFAP Presenting Designers. Photo courtesy of Chi Tran Photography
We all came together to raise money and support a greater cause than ourselves. That will definitely leave a lasting impression in people’s minds. I already knew this was a great cause to be involved in but it turned out better than I could have ever expected. I was really impressed with all the strategic planning and coordination that went into pulling this event off. It definitely is on par with any fashion show at Mercedes Benz Fashion week in New York. – Hanh Dang/Lucy Dang (Presenting Designer)
The show went very well. Everything flowed so smoothly. Everyone worked well together and the talent was amazing. I left feeling like I just came from Hollywood…Everyone was so kind to me, warm, and friendly. – Kyle Ramirez/Playful Ambitions(Presenting Designer)
I am honored to be the first Menswear designer to display a collection at the Fashion For A Passion event this year and to collaborate with Against The Grain Productions to raise awareness and raise funds for underprivileged children around the world. – Ninh Nguyen, NINH Collection (Presenting Designer)
What a great event. Thank you again for this great opportunity. – Judy Yang/JudYang (Presenting Designer)
I had an amazing time co-hosting this year’s Fashion for a Passion. Not only was I able to contribute my time and energy to a worthy cause, but I also was inspired enough to begin my new side career as a runway model. – Randall Park, Actor/Comedian (Emcee)
Fashion for a Passion was an exceptional night where artists from all walks of life came together for one united cause and to inspire others to open their hearts to do the same. We are proud to work with ATG to help make life better for our youth. – Xuan Nguyen/Xwansongs (Musical Performer)
The show was fun and amazing…more than I expected. The atmosphere was simply breath taking. Everyone was having fun and everyone was down to earth.The ATG crew that put this together did an excellent job…I can’t wait til next time. – Chris Cuchapin/Xwansongs (Musical Performer)
FFAP is a great event that showcases all types of artists. We are proud that we had a chance to participate, meet, and gain exposure with fellow Asian American creatives. Thanks for helping us and other unknown artists. We are glad to be apart of this cause.. – Tex Sirisawat/Duette (Musical Performer)
It was an honor to be apart of your event! … Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing what you do! …You are one of most amazing people I know who cares so much and actually does something about it. You got my support anytime! – Karin Anna Cheung, Actress (Exhibiting Artist)
It is such an honor to be a part of this year’s event. Thank you to all of the Against The Grain Productions Team and their tireless efforts in helping bring attention and awareness to a wonderful cause. – Van Ditthavong, Photographer (Exhibiting Artist)
Once again, you and your team presented a fantastic event. I’m happy we could again be a sponsor of ATG, and in particular it’s wonderful that you were able to provide the two scholarships. Congratulations on a successful year and FFAP event! – Milton Lai, Hotels.com (Producer Sponsor)
It was an honor to be apart of ATG’s charity event and see everyone’s hard work come together. I look forward to ATG’s positive outreach to help children around the globe. – Daniel C. Eng, Engvest(Director Sponsor)
I am really proud to have supported Tammy’s efforts to help orphanages. I think she is a one of a kind person with an amazing spirit, incredibly generous heart, and true talent. – Dr.Sam Lam, Lam Facial Plastics & The Spa at Willow Bend(Star Sponsor)
ATG is a great organization and making a difference in the community. I’m so honored that they invited Lumi to be part of an fun & extraordinary event, FFAP. – Susie Bui, Lumi Emapanada & Dumpling Kitchen(Couture Sponsor)
Our utmost gratitude to be able help towards such an amazing cause! Thanks – we had so much fun and can’t wait for more upcoming events! – Kandy Tran, Glitz & Glam Event Rentals (Couture Sponsor)
Against The Grain Productions is a wonderful organization where you can see the passion for charity in each of the volunteers and associates. The Fashion for a Passion event has been one of the most organized and successful events I have seen executed. Thank you so much for letting myself and Pinkberry be a part of something so wonderful. We would love to work with you guys again in the future. – Kenn Phaxay, Pinkberry(Couture Sponsor)
We had such an amazing time and are always happy to attend and work with you for such a great cause…The collections were fabulous, food was great, and venue was beautiful; please keep us in mind next year! – Damaris Grogan, Page Parkes Management (Couture Sponsor)
Fashion for a Passion was a fantastic night of fun and entertainment! It was so incredible to see the talent of the clothing designers and to visually see what they created up close. I cannot wait until next year! – Michelle R. Byrd, Ben E. Keith (Couture Sponsor)
Being able to say the we were apart of this amazing orginization and working with such inspiring people (Against The Grain) is such an honor. Every person that we have come in contact with and associated with this event/cause is such an absolute joy. We truly look forward to working with again and again. – Dianne Gomez, Essensuals London(Service Provider)
As always, it was a great honor to be invited by Tammy and the rest of the Against The Grain organization to help them raise money for the orphans of Vietnam. I’m always inspired by charities that are driven so passionately to help the less fortunate, so I’m glad I was able to donate some of my time and skills to such a great cause. I hope Tammy continues to push forward with this project, because I’m happy to see the orphans be given a voice… – David Loi, Kaboga.com(Service Provider)
Working with ATG has been a blast. Everything always comes together in a top-notch fashion. The creativity and talent of ATG hands-down make FFAP the huge success that it is every year! – Travis Petty, Shine 49 Media House(Service Provider)
Studio Lounge had a wonderful time at Fashion for a Passion this year. The whole ATG team was wonderful to work with. I think everyone had a lot of fun and the pictures turned out great. – Seth Pascale, Studio Lounge(Service Provider)
I’m very proud to be apart of ATG again this year. It gets better every year! ATG is such a meaningful organization that inspires many of us to lend a hand, and I’m honored to be apart of. I believe in sharing and giving back to those that are not as fortunate. Keep up the great work, ATG!!! Thank you! – Nini Nguyen, Nini Style(Service Provider)
What a wonderful event and cause you are working on. Many thanks for inviting me to take a small part in your cause. Your friends, family, and staff were all so very wonderful to meet. Outstanding group of young up and coming professionals and artists. I’m very excited for the future of FFAP. – Thomas Mullins, Runway Model
I thoroughly enjoyed it and was happy to be a part of a great cause. – Ben Panchasarp, Runway Model
Non-profit Awards Artistic Scholarship to Two Outstanding Texas Asian American Students
DALLAS, TX– Dallas nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions announced the winners of their first ever Artistic Scholarship as Texas students Monika Hoang and Dorcas Leung. This year’s Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship is sponsored by Hotels.com and is given to an outstanding Asian American high school senior or college student pursuing a degree in the performing and/or visual arts and who represents the spirit of the organization’s going “against the grain” mantra. Both Hoang and Leung will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship for their exceptional artistic ability, talent, community involvement, leadership and academics.
ATG Founder/President Tammy Nguyen Lee is proud of these two exemplary students who set a precedent for the standards that ATG values. Lee said, “We created this scholarship as an extension of what our organization is already doing to promote and support Asian Americans in the arts, and we hope that this scholarship continues to cultivate those in our community who are finding unique ways to express themselves and create stories for us to share.” She continued, “We look forward to seeing how these two students will grow in their profession and see just how they will find a way to give back.” Lily Yang, ATG’s Director of Community Outreach, spearheaded the review process for the ATG Artistic Scholarship and highlights the principles of the fund. “The scholarship embodies ATG’s mission of promoting awareness of art in all media and a commitment to the community. The scholarship program is not limited to only financial assistance, but also provides the winner with mentorship, exposure and a support group both within and outside of the art community.” She says she hopes that the scholarship will be a catalyst that will propel winners to greater heights.
ATG Artistic Scholarship Recipient Monika Hoang
Monika Hoang is a junior at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and is majoring in creative advertising. She was recently awarded top honors as Best Art Director for her portfolio class and was chosen to participate in the elite One Show Student Exhibition in New York City. In response to winning the ATG Artistic Scholarship, Hoang said, “Receiving this scholarship shows me that support for the arts is out there in the community.” She said that the scholarship gives hope to others who are hesitant in pursuing arts. “This scholarship is like a gentle nudge and whisper telling me to keep doing what I love.”
ATG Artistic Scholarship Recipient Dorcas Leung
Dorcas Leung, a senior at Stratford High School in Houston, Texas, recently graduated at the top of her class. There, she starred in and participated in nine different theatre productions. She was nominated twice for the Tommy Tune Awards’ Best Featured Performer. She is skilled in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, musical theatre and piano. She was one of twelve students accepted into the Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma, where she will begin her college career this fall. “Getting the ATG scholarship makes me feel very blessed. It is hard enough already to be an Asian American in a difficult field of study, but I feel that with this scholarship I could be an encourager to other Asian Americans wanting to pursue a career in the arts,” Leung said. “I am very happy to be a representative of this scholarship, and I know it holds a lot of weight, because I want to be a good example of ‘Going Against The Grain’ and prove that I can do what I want to do, even if it is difficult.”
Both scholarship winners will attend ATG’s 3rd annual Fashion for a Passion charity event, held on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Studios 1019 in Dallas, TX, where they will be presented with their scholarship, as well as showcase their talent amongst other Asian American artists. Hoang’s artwork will be on display, while will Leung perform a vocal medley.
ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian-American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages and outreach. Their first project, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, has received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For scholarship details, visit www.againstthegrainproductions.com/scholarship. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.
By Chris Agee |cagee@mineralwellsindex.com
The only permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall outside of Washington, D.C., located at the National Vietnam War Museum on U.S. Highway 180 just east of Mineral Wells, will be updated for the second time Saturday with the names of three Marines and three Army soldiers added.
“We’ve already had the panels changed to reflect the new names,” said Jim Vines, commander of AmVets Post 133 in Mineral Wells.
The names will be unveiled at the ceremony, which is open to the public at no cost and begins at 10:30 a.m.
Vines said museum officials are required to wait one year after names are added to the original wall before the same names can be added to the local wall, meaning the people honored at Saturday’s event have been displayed in the nation’s capital since 2010.
Five more names added to the original wall this year will be etched into the replica wall next year, Messinger said.
The local wall, approximately half the size of the original, was unveiled May 30, 2009, and originally contained 70 panels and 58,260 names.
Vines said in addition to the unveiling of the names, he is excited to welcome guests from Operation Babylift to the celebration.
According to NVWM Treasurer Jim Messinger, Operation Babylift was established near the end of the Vietnam War to rescue scores of children left orphaned after years of battle in the country.
In total, the operation resulted in about 4,000 children being flown to safety, primarily to America but also to Canada and various European countries. Messinger said all of the rescued children were assigned homes and adoptive parents before landing in their new location.
Unfortunately, Messinger said, the second plane leaving South Vietnam crashed, killing 130 of the 300 on board.
In addition to the negative press assigned to the operation following the crash, Messinger said controversy arose at the time concerning whether some children were taken against their parent’s wishes. In the long run, however, the operation has largely been viewed as a great success.
Three speakers from Operation Babylift will be the first to address the crowd Saturday, according to Messinger, and eight other speakers will take part in an afternoon exhibit at the museum’s visitor’s center.
The guest list includes, in addition to now-grown rescued orphans and family members of those lost in the rescue plane crash, many speakers who were instrumental in making the operation successful.
Air Force veterans responsible for flying the rescue missions, Tammy Nguyen Lee, the producer and director of a feature film about the operation, Olen Bautwell, a crash survivor, and his wife, Louise, a Clark Air Force Base Babylift coordinator are all scheduled to speak.
Additionally, Vietnam veteran and artist Doc Bernie Duff will unveil an Operation Babylift painting which he will donate to the museum and Thuy Smith, the international president of the Amerasian Foundation will be on hand to address the crowd, expected to number between 500 and 1,000 people.
Operation Babylift’s presentation will be moderated by Lana Noone, author of the book “Global Mom,” which recounts her family’s experience adopting multiple orphans through the operation.
Another big draw for the event is an appearance by Elvis Presley tribute artist Kraig Parker before he goes on to perform that night at a concert in the Mineral Wells High School auditorium.
Parker will sing “America the Beautiful,” Vines said, adding both Presley and Parker were very supportive of veterans.
Presley himself served in the military, stationed at Fort Hood before his deployment to Germany, and, fittingly, another event scheduled for Saturday is an aerial display featuring helicopters from the same military post.
The event will be catered by Meals on Wheels, Messinger said, and the menu will feature pigs in a blanket.
Appearances by Patriot Guard Riders and a parachute jump by former U.S. Army Golden Knight and double-amputee Dana Bowman, of Weatherford, are also planned for the event.
Two attractions scheduled for Saturday’s ceremony have been cancelled due to conflicting schedules, according to Messinger.
The Liberty Bell will not make an appearance due to a military funeral scheduled for the same day and the bagpiper scheduled to perform during the invocation will be unable to attend.
He’s a University of Waterloo professor who is featured prominently in a documentary about the 1975 evacuation of thousands of orphans from war torn Vietnam.
“A lot of people are interested in international adoptions and are intrigued by our story” and that led to this showing, Ballard said.
Ballard was just three weeks old when he and thousands of other Vietnamese orphans were airlifted during an American-led evacuation to protect the children from the impending threat of the Communist regime.
The orphans were adopted by families in the United States, Canada and Australia.
In their own voices, this movie tells the story of some of these Vietnamese adoptees growing up in America where they faced racism and being associated with an unpopular war.
Ballard is featured not only as a Vietnamese adoptee, but the film tells the story of the trials and tribulations he and his wife encountered as they tried to adopt a baby boy from Vietnam.
They were living in the United States when their plans to adopt fell through as the U.S. government ended its adoption program with Vietnam over allegations of baby selling, bribery and false documents.
In July 2008, the couple moved to Waterloo and started the adoption process again. Last May, they adopted Jayden, now 19 months, from an orphanage in Vietnam.
“Anyone involved in adoptions would be interested” in this film, Ballard said.
The documentary will screen at the Princess Twin at 46 King St. N. on Jan. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Although admission is free, a ticket is required. The event is being held as a fundraiser for the Vietnam Education Society, a Canadian-based non-profit group that builds schools in Vietnam.
After the show, a discussion will be held featuring Ballard and his wife, Sarah Ballard, and Jared Rehberg, a cast member and the film’s associate producer.
The film coincides with a panel discussion on Jan. 21 at the University of Waterloo starting at 6:30 p.m. The panellists include three adult adoptees from Vietnam and Korea.
(l. to r.) Ken Malcolmson, president of SMU's Alumni Board of Directors; George W. Bramblett Jr.; Stephen Mulholland; Tammy Nguyen Lee; Gary Crum; and R. Gerald Turner, president of SMU.
Tammy Nguyen Lee, a graduate of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, will receive the 2010 Southern Methodist University Emerging Leader Award on Thursday, October 21. SMU President R. Gerald Turner will present the award at the Distinguished Alumni Awards black-tie celebration at the Fairmont Hotel in Downtown Dallas.
Dr. Turner wrote, “The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has graduated within the last fifteen years and has distinguished himself or herself as an emerging leader in a particular discipline, organization, or cause that has brought distinction to the University.” Arlene Manthey, SMU Associate Director of Development for Student Affairs, said, “Tammy was a student leader who made a real impact on not only her peers but others, like me, who had a chance to work with her as a staff advisor.” Continued Manthey, “She has continued to be a bright and shining star using her talents that were honed as a student leader and has become a change agent through the film and entertainment industry. Tammy…is inspirational, visionary, courageous, focused, accomplished, and always willing to step up to the plate and make a difference.”
“This has been an incredible year, full of many personal and professional landmarks and milestones,” said Lee. “It is very validating to be honored by my mentors and peers in this way. What a wonderful gift, especially during a 10- year reunion. I am very humbled and appreciative of those who have helped me along the way.”
Lee was an active student leader and honors graduate from Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts in 2000, during which time she was leader with Program Council and East Asian Student Association, voted 1st runner-up Homecoming Queen and served as Miss Asian American Texas from 1999-2001. She has experience as an actress/model, with credits spanning across movies, television, commercials, industrials and national campaigns. After graduating from SMU, Lee received a Master of Fine Arts from the elite UCLA Producers Program in 2004. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarships, leadership and service awards, volunteered with various community organizations and served on the Board of Directors of Women in Film.Dallas. She is President and Founder of ATG Against The Grain Productions, a nonprofit organization that promotes Asian American cultural awareness through outreach programs and raises money for aid to orphanages in Asia. She currently is the Director of Development for Original Programming at AMS Pictures, one of the largest production companies in the southwest, where she oversees the development of a heavy slate of projects that she has successfully developed and sold to WE tv, HGTV and truTV (Girl Meets Gown, Ma’s Roadhouse).
Lee will also speak on a symposium panel for “The Art of Entrepreneurship” at 8 a.m. on Friday, October 22, hosted by the SMU Cinema-Television (CTV) division. Later that day, SMU CTV hosts a free encore community screening of Lee’s award-winning feature documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam from 3-5 p.m. in the SMU Owens Arts Center in the Greer Garson Screening Room 3531. Lee’s directorial debut depicts the historic effort that airlifted over 2,500 orphans out of Vietnam during the last days of the Vietnam War and these adoptees’ complex journey to make peace with their controversial past. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Operation Babylift. A Q&A will follow with Lee and two local Babylift adoptees. Finally, Lee will serve as one of the Homecoming Parade dignitaries on Saturday, October 23 and will attend the Homecoming football game as a guest of President Turner.
To attend the SMU Operation Babylift screening, RSVP to trevinot@smu.edu or call 214-768-2129. For more information on ATG Against the Grain Productions, please visit www.AgainstTheGrainproductions.com
Nini Nguyen and Alex Tran at 2010 Fashion for a Passion
Dallas based non-profit ATG Against The Grain Productions turned the Design District’s LandCo/7 Senses venue into a fashion extravaganza for its 2nd-annual Fashion For a Passion event – and the stylish certainly came out to play. Approximately 300 volunteers, philanthropists, and fashion fans joined to support the cause. The centerpiece of the event, emceed by bagsnob.com blogger Tina Craig and actress/model LeeAnne Locken, was the fashion show featuring designers Chloe Dao (season 2 winner of Project Runway); Khanh Nguyen for Nha Khanh; Nikki DuongKoenig for Cykochik Custom Handbags; Prashi Shah for Prashe; Judy Yang; Cac Lam for 2FeMale; and Susie Tachibana. Each designer donated looks for a live auction benefiting ATG. With plenty of party frocks, cocktails, and musical guests such as Mina Chang and Houston-based JR Kim, the fashionistas defintely had fun. And the best part: the evening’s proceeds will benefit orphanages in Asia and ATG’s community outreach initiatives, designed to aid Asian American students pursuing degrees in the arts.
Click here to read the original event coverage and photos.
Proceeds from charity fashion show to benefit international orphanages
Dallas-based nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions held the 2nd Annual Fashion for a Passion (FFAP) this past Saturday night at LandCo/7 Senses in the Dallas Design District. It was a packed house with nearly 300 volunteers and philanthropists who joined to raise $10,000 for ATG’s supported orphanages in Asia, the newly started Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship to support Asian American students pursuing a degree in the arts and year-round community outreach programs.
FFAP Emcees Tina Craig and LeeAnne Locken - Photo courtesy of Loc Truong Photography
“I was very impressed by the hard work that the ATG team put into the event. The FFAP show was such a high-quality and well-run event, and I’m sure that’s a direct reflection of the outstanding leadership and effort from ATG,” said Milton Lai, representing Hotels.com, a Producer Level Sponsor. “I think the partnership with ATG was exceptional, and I’m glad we could play a part in supporting the event and such a worthy cause. [It was] definitely a great night, great fashion, and great work for the orphanages.”
The centerpiece of the event featured a knock-out fashion show with a live auction of select pieces from each presenting designer’s collection and other exclusive pieces from designers around the world. Presenting designer collections were showcased by Chloe Dao (Season 2 winner of Project Runway), Khanh Nguyen for Nhã Khanh, Nikki Duong Koenig for Cykochik Custom Handbags featuring Freedom Parc, Prashe, Judy Yang, Cac Lam for 2FeMale and New York-based designer Sumie Tachibana. Additional fashion pieces were provided for the live auction from Ann Hoang, CC Couture, Dolly Pearl, Lizzi London, and Lyly Thanh.
Melissa Brown (Page Parkes) modeling Sumie Tachibana - photo courtesy of David Loi (Infini Studios)Kamille Carlisle (Campbell Wagner) modeling Cykochik Custom Handbags by Nikki Duong Koenig - Photo courtesy of David Loi (Infini Studios)Keegan Wheeler (Page Parkes) modeling 2 Female by Cac Lam - Photo courtesy of Loc Truong
The event featured artistic, musical and design talents within the Asian American community. Event highlights include dynamic musical performances by Houston based JR Kim, Xuan Nguyen and Miles Machon, hip hop performer Twisted Optiks and a surprise performance by Mina Chang. The Live Auction of designer pieces hosted by beautiful and witty emcees LeeAnne Locken (actress/model, She’s Got the Look) and Tina Craig (Bagsnob.com, former MTV Asia veejay) provided many memorable moments throughout the evening.
“We are so thrilled that this year’s Fashion for a Passion was a huge success and continues to not only promote awareness for our social cause overseas, but also the profiles of emerging designers and artists in our community,” said Against The Grain President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee. “ATG brings together a volunteer base with a lot of heart, soul and passion. Saturday’s turnout makes all the hard work so rewarding, and we are humbled and honored by the overwhelming support. We doubled the amount raised from last year’s event, a huge accomplishment, and are looking forward to growing what we can do globally.”
ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian-American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages. Their premiere documentary feature, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, has received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.
Thank you to everyone who contributed your talents to the 2010 Fashion for a Passion charity event. With your help, we were able to have one heckuva show and raise $10,000 (a 200% increase from last year) for our supported orphanages, new ATG Artistic Scholarship fund and year-round community outreach programs. Thank you so much!
Read below all the wonderful comments that are coming in:
What the Designers had to say:
“It was wonderful event. It was pleasure to be in such well organized and successful event. Honestly, it was really nice to see the Asian community, young and old, come out and support the cause. I am game for next year if you need.”
– Chloe Dao (Designer, DAO Chloe Dao)
“Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this event…”
– Vi Hoang (Designer, Dolly Pearl)
“Thank you so much for letting me be a part of the show. I had a great time and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for working so hard to put up the show.”
– Cac Lam (Designer, 2FeMale)
“Great job! I had a blast! My first “real show,” thanks to you!”
– Lyly Koenig (Designer, Lyly Thanh)
“…It was such a fabulous event, thank you for letting me be a part of it all. It was a pleasure working with you and the ATG crew – you guys are just amazing. I’m definitely a fan and would love to help out with future ATG events/initiatives.”
“… Fashion for a Passion was such a huge success! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful cause again!”
– Khanh Nguyen (Designer, Nhã Khanh)
“Thank you so much for planning a fabulous event and allowing me to participate. Everyone was so welcoming, helpful, and truly sweet. You have a great team of people!”
– Sumie Tachibana
“I am so honored to be part of this event and get to meet so many great people. The night was a great success and would love to part of FFAP again next time.”
– Judy Yang (JudYang)
What the Sponsors/Guests had to say:
“I was very impressed by the hard work that the ATG team put into the event. The FFAP show was such a high-quality and well-run event, and I’m sure that’s a direct reflection of the outstanding leadership and effort from ATG. I think the partnership with ATG was exceptional, and I’m glad we could play a part in supporting the event and such a worthy cause. Definitely a great night, great fashion, and great work for the orphanages.”
– Milton Lai (Hotels.com)
“It was great to see everything come together. We definitely had a good time and [were] very happy about the turnout at Lumi. I would love to work with you on future events with ATG.”
– Susie Bui (Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen)
“What a great party and show…it all turned out great, and I am so happy to have been able to work with you and would love to continue help out however we can in the future.”
– Damaris Grogan (Page Parkes Management)
“The second annual Against The Grain Fashion for a Passion event on September 25 was one of the most inspiring I’ve attended in a long time.”
“My friend and I had a total blast! I’m more than happy to help for such a great cause… You guys totally rocked in organizing the event!”
– Joie Chau Pham (Luxe Petals)
“It is our pleasure to be part of your event, and we are thrilled that it was a great success…”
– Michelle Byrd (Ben E. Keith)
“Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of Fashion For A Passion. We were thrilled to be there and found the evening to be wildly successful!”
– Ryan Glenn (Subjective Media/The Photo Stand)
“Last night was a great event. Very well organized. Great Job!”
– Steve Peris (Guest)
“I had a blast… Thanks so much to everyone who participated.”
– Arienne Cartier (Guest)
“Great job…Your event was beautiful and very organized and energetic.”
– Mina Chang (Musical Performer)
What the Volunteers had to say:
“Good cause, good fun and a whole lot of fashion at the second annual charity event Fashion for a Passion to benefit world orphanage. Against the Grain did an amazing job at promoting, producing and organizing such a fantastic event to raise awareness and supports for their humble cause. Great job to everyone.”
– Quoc Cong “QC” (Volunteer, XO Photography)
“It was a great night. You did a fabulous job of pulling it together!”
– Tina Craig (Emcee, Bagsnob.com)
“Thank you, Tammy, for including me as a part of such an amazing event!! YOU are inspiring & amazing!!! Much love.”
– LeeAnne Locken (Actress/Model, She’s Got the Look)
“It was an honor to be invited to work for such a great cause again…Congrats goes to ATG, sponsors and volunteers for making it happen.”
– David Loi (Volunteer, Infini Studios)
“We had a blast…Great job on your end, too. Very well done.”
– Trevor Hyslop (Volunteer, Day 18)
“Tammy, you and your team were absolutely wonderful. Anytime you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I have to say, in all of the years that I have done events, yours was by far the best put together most calm and just fun event I have done.. Please pass along our gratitude for such a fun and pleasant group!”
– Dianne Gomez (Toni & Guy)
“Thank you, Tam and George, for the opportunity! It was a lot of fun!”
– Keisha Murrell (Volunteer, FFAP Show Coordinator)
“I was honored to be a part of Against the Grain this year…I really appreciate and admire people like the two of you with such big hearts reaching out to help others and having an organization that allows us to be a part of it. Great hearts are contagious, and you guys totally inspire me.”
– Nini Nguyen (Volunteer, FFAP Show Coordinator)
“You all did an excellent job, and I really respect you and George for your generosity for the cause…”
– Cuong Nguyen (Volunteer)
“It was a great event…”
– Travis Petty (Volunteer, Frozen Fire Films)
“I’m so glad i was able to make it to the event and help out with my small bit for such a wonderful cause…Keep up the great work!”
– Alex Tran (Volunteer, Miss Vietnam Global)
“Had a blast…”
– Chi Tran (Volunteer, Infini Studios)
“Against The Grain did an amazing job at promoting, producing and organizing such a fantastic event to raise awareness and support for their humble cause. Great job to everyone…It was a pleasure to participate.”
The Austin Film Society is very proud to announce the recipients of its 2010 Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund (TFPF) and Travel Grant programs, which this year gave away a total of $111,000 in cash and goods and services to 33 projects from emerging Texas filmmakers. AFS has now given out over $1.1 million to 293 film and video projects since the program began in 1996.
Cash grants totaling $93,000 and $6,000 worth of Kodak film stock and $5,000 in in-kind services from Seattle-based Alpha Cine Labs will be dispersed to 24 projects to recipients of the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund, adding to cash grants totaling $7,000 in stipends already dispersed to 10 Texas filmmakers via the Travel Grant program. The largest grant this year went to Ausinite Patrick Bresnan’s documentary feature VIETNAM APPRECIATION DAY, about a subculture of Vietnam War reenactors in suburban Pennsylvania. He received a $9,000 post-production grant for the film.
“The Austin Film Society is humbled by the hundreds of individuals and companies that contributed to make this year’s Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund possible,” said Rebecca Campbell, executive director of the Austin Film Society. “It goes to show how committed our community is to independent, diverse voices in filmmaking.”
Three Austin filmmakers who made award-winning first features received $7,000 grants to help complete their second films. Bob Byington will follow up the festival darling comedy HARMONY AND ME with SEVEN CHINESE BROTHERS, set to star Patton Oswalt (RATATOUILLE, BIG FAN). Kyle Henry received a grant to complete the 4th and final segment of his omnibus feature FOURPLAY, which began an innovative festival-and-digital-download release earlier this summer. And, Chris Eska, winner of the John Cassavetes Award at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards for his debut AUGUST EVENING, received a grant for the Civil War-set drama SEPTEMBER MORNING.
Two feature documentaries also received $7,000 grants – Ruth Villatoro’s THE CANTINERA, which follows the daily lives of three “cantineras” in Houston – women hired by Latin bars to drink with their male clients; and Susanne Mason’s RETURN TO SENDER which examines the difficult transition faced by prisoners after they are released.
Projects from outside of Austin also fared well this year. Four filmmakers from Houston received grants – Villatoro’s THE CANTINERA, Roberto Minervini’s narrative feature MARFA RED, Jenalia Moreno & Nancy Sarnoff’s documentary STITCHED and Mary Magsamen & Stephan Hillerbrand’s experimental short FOUR PLACE SETTING. Two projects by El Paso filmmakers received grants – Elvira Carrizal-Dukes’ narrative feature OCHOA and Mikey Reyes & Carlos Corral’s narrative short RED SANDS. San Antonio filmmaker Will Shipley received a grant for his narrative short MENTIROSO and Laredo filmmaker Marcela Moran received a grant for her documentary short JORNALEROS.
AFS raises funds for TFPF through the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame
and major premieres like ME AND ORSON WELLES, PREDATORS and MACHETE.
AFS also successfully raised $40,000 for TFPF through online donation
and direct mail campaigns this summer. The final grant decisions were made by a panel of three acclaimed filmmakers from outside of the state – Sam Green, the Oscar-nominated director of the documentary THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND; Emily Hubley, director of many award-winning animated shorts and the feature THE TOE TACTIC which premiered at SXSW in 2008; and Alex Rivera, director of the sci-fi feature SLEEP DEALER, winner of two awards at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
AFS Director of Artist Services Bryan Poyser administered the 2010 TFPF and he was assisted by TFPF coordinators Elin Dunigan and Emily Robinson.
Special thanks to the sponsors of the Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund: the Texas Commission on the Arts, the City of Austin Cultural Funding Program, Alpha Cine Labs, Kodak, the Four Seasons Hotel, Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas and The Mohawk.
Photos (300 dpi) available upon request.
2010 Texas Filmmakers’ Production Fund Recipients
59 SECONDS
Angela Torres Camarena
15 min narrative
$3,500 production, post-production & distribution
BIG BOY
Thomas Hackett
90 min narrative
$3,000 post-production
THE CANTINERA
Ruth Villatoro
80 min documentary
$7,000 for production
DEAD TO RIGHTS: THE WILLINGHAM CASE
Stephen Mims & Joe Bailey
90 min documentary
$3,000 production
FOUR PLACE SETTING
Mary Magsamen & Stephan Hillerbrand
14 min experimental
$1,000 post-production & distribution
$1,000 Alpha Cine Labs services
FOURPLAY
Kyle Henry
85 min experimental narrative
$7,000 post-production
THE GLIDERS OF ARCOSANTI
Jaime Cano
28 min narrative
$2,000 production & post-production
THE HAPPY POET
Paul Gordon & David Hartstein
85 min narrative
$2,000 distribution
JORNALEROS
Marcela Moran
30 min documentary
$1,000 production & post-production
JUST BETWEEN US Karen Skloss
7 min experimental narrative $1,000 production & post-production
$4,000 Alpha Cine Labs services
MARFA RED
Roberto Minervini
85 min narrative
$7,000 post-production & distribution
MENTIROSO
Wilfred Shipley
10 min narrative
$2,000 production
OCHOA Elvira Carrizal-Dukes
90 min narrative
$2,000 post-production
PARENTS BEHAVING BADLY AT AN 8TH GRADE BASKETBALL GAME
Scott Meyers
90 min narrative
$4,000 post-production
RED SANDS
Mikey Reyes & Carlos Corral
18 min narrative
$2,000 post-production
RETURN TO SENDER
Susanne Mason
60 min documentary
$7,000 production
SAY HELLO TO MR. GO: AN ELEGY FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA
Don Howard
57 min documentary
$3,000 production
$3,000 Kodak film stock
SEPTEMBER MORNING
Chris Eska
85 min narrative
$7,000 production
SEVEN CHINESE BROTHERS
Bob Byington
90 min narrative
$7,000 production
STITCHED Jenalia Moreno & Nancy Sarnoff
60 min documentary
$1,500 production
UNTITLED ZAYTUNA PROJECT Maryam Kashani
70 min experimental documentary
$3,000 production $3,000 Kodak film stock
VIETNAM APPRECIATION DAY
Patrick Xavier Bresnan
90 min documentary
$9,000 post-production
WAR STORIES
Ricardo Ainslie
90 min documentary
$3,000 production & post-production
2010 Travel Grant Recipients (To Date)
David Modigliani
61 BULLETS
IFP Project Forum
Tammy Nguyen Lee
OPERATION BABYLIFT: THE LOST CHILDREN OF VIETNAM
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Michel O. Scott
THE HORSE BOY
International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
David Lowery
ST. NICK
Thessaloniki Film Festival
Amy Grappell
QUADRANGLE
Sundance Film Festival
Rotterdam Film Festival
Sam Douglas
CITIZEN ARCHITECT
Hot Docs
Kyle Henry
FOURPLAY: SAN FRANCISCO
Outfest
Clay Liford
EARTHLING
Outfest
Chris Ohlson
MELVIN
IFP Rough Cuts Labs
Paul Gordon
THE HAPPY POET
Traverse City Film Festival
Austin Film Society promotes the appreciation of film and supports creative filmmaking by screening rarely seen films, giving grants and other support to emerging filmmakers, and providing access and education about film to youth and the public. Through Austin Studios, which AFS opened in 2000 in partnership with the City of Austin, AFS helps attract film development and production to Austin and Texas. Gala film premieres and the annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards raise funds as well as awareness of the impact of film on economy and community. The Austin Film Society is ranked among the top film centers in the country and recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and Directors Guild of America. For more information on Austin Film Society, visit www.austinfilm.org.
The 2nd Annual Fashion for a Passion charity event isn’t till September 25th, but we’re already excited – and the tickets are up for sale now!
Benefitting ATG Against The Grain Productions’ supported orphanages and educational outreach programs, the night will include a fashion show from emerging Asian American designers, who will each auction off a signature look. These will include Season 2 winner of Project RunwayChloe Dao, Khanh Nguyen of Nhã Khanh, Nikki Duong Koenig of Cykochik Custom Handbagsfeaturing Freedom Parc, Prashi Shah of Prashe, Judy Yang, Cac Lam of 2FeMale, and Sumie Tachibana. More live auction pieces will also be provided by Lyly Thanh, CC Couture, Dolly Pearl,Lizzi London and Ann Hoang.
The “Kaitlin” one shoulder moire dress with chiffon drape detail by Chloe Dao
Join emcees actress/model and She’s Got The Look Season 2 Finalist LeeAnne Locken andBagsnob.com blogger Tina Craig for the show, as well as musical entertainment, an art exhibition, tunes by DJ Prada G and Lisa Le, signature cocktails, and light bites.
The “Milace” dress from Khanh Nguyen of Nhã Khan’s Black Velvet Collection
That’s not all. Guests will be welcome to join the after party, hosted by Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen at 3407 McKinney Avenue for complimentary cocktails, drink specials and a live DJ – what a night!
When: Saturday, September 25th, 7 to 10 pm
Where: LandCo/7 Senses, 1202 N. Riverside (formerly Industrial) at Howell Street, Dallas Design District
By Frances Barrick, Record staff
