FESTIVAL FORUM at the 2012 SF Int'l Asian American Film Festival March 10, 2012

Festival Forum is SFIAAFF's largest outdoor event, bringing a unique showcase of artists, performers and media makers to the community! Held in San Francisco's historic Japantown Peace Plaza, this year's event will feature commemorative programs to mark the one-year anniversary of the March 11 Japanese tsunami and earthquake, in the hopes of continuing to raise awareness of ongoing rebuilding efforts.

Featured Artists:
BAIYU is a Chinese-American singer-songwriter and actress. She has been featured in GlobalGrind, TheSource, SoulTrain.com, and various other blogs and magazines. In 2011 Baiyu donated all profits from her EP, "Fan Fair" towards Japanese earthquake and tsunami relief. Her music video for the song "Together" has premiered on several international television networks solidifying Baiyu's status as an international pop culture icon.

YOUTH SPEAKS creates safe spaces to empower the next generation of leaders, self-defined artists, and visionary activists through written and oral literacies. Youth Speaks challenges youth to find, develop, publicly present, and apply their voices as creators of social change.

Oakland's DREAMDATE, a female indie pop three-piece featuring Yea-Ming Chen, Anna Hillburg, and Sonia Hayden captures the spirit and emotion of young adulthood through unaffected electric guitars, uncluttered drum beats, and smooth female vocals.

PAPERDOLL an energetic four-piece dance-rock band has rocked crowds from Shanghai to New York with an uninhibitedly raw live show and has opened up for OhLand, Mos Def, and Joan Jett. Their music can be heard in Quentin Lee's "White Frog," the opening night film for the 2012 SFIAAFF. PaperDoll is Teresa Lee (vocals/keyboard),Patrick Moloney (guitar), Jack Koch (bass), Will Haywood Smith (drums).

NON STOP BHANGRA is a unique experience that celebrates the beautiful and vibrant spirit of Bhangra, a traditional Punjabi folk music and dance.

Official Website: http://festival.caamedia.org/30/guide/program/festival-forum/