This is a weekend of visual bliss for the movie buffs, as the Austin Asian American Film Festival, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival and the San Diego Asian Film Festival are all opening this Thursday!

The 1st Annual Austin Asian American Film Festival promises to bring about the best Asian and Asian American cinema to a place that has supported one of the fastest growing Asian communities in the nation.  The festival features Hollywood Chinese and Still Life as the opening and closing night films, both will premiere for the first time in Texas.  Come enjoy this can't-miss event and a live, multimedia concert AAAFF will be hosting at Club de Ville.  The festival runs from October 9th to the 12th at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas.  For more information please visit their website at www.aaaff.org. 

Meanwhile, in Philly, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will also be hosting their first annual film festival, running from the 9th to the 12th as well.  With their films the PAAFF will explore the Asian American identity and experience, thereby joining the ranks of other film festivals to bring about Asian American awareness in one of the largest cities nationwide.  Their opening night film, Far North, will premiere at the Bridge:  Cinema de Lux and followed immediately by a free reception at the Carriage House.  Please visit their website at www.phillyasianfilmfest.org for showing and ticket info.

Going on its 9th year now is the San Diego Asian Film Festival.  Running for over a week, from the 9th to the 16th, SDAFF will open with Ping Pong Playa, directed by the Academy Award winning director Jessica Yu, and close with Yamazaki Takashi's Always 2: Sunset on Third Street.  To get information on the 140-plus films they will be featuring from 17 different countries, along with schedules for their celebrity panel discussions, check out their website at www.sdaff.org.