The buttery smell of popcorn wafted through the air as the soundtrack of “Crazy Rich Asians” played over the sound system of the Reitz Grand Ballroom. Students waited excitedly as the lights dimmed to signal the start of the Asian American Student Union’s first-ever film festival.
The event spanned over Saturday and Sunday and featured a student submission competition and a guest appearance from YouTubers Wong Fu Productions.
Wong Fu Productions is an Asian-American digital filmmaking company. They have over 3 million subscribers and were paid about $9,000 to speak at the event.
“I was really excited to see them because I’ve been watching their videos for a long time, and being able to get them here and meeting them in person was really surreal,” said Henry Nguyen, a 22-year-old UF biomedical engineering senior and co-president of the Asian American Student Union.
On the first day of the event, 25 student films were exhibited, 10 of which were submitted for competition. Submissions came from both UF and University of Central Florida students.
“We didn’t know who would be interested, and even people from UCF came out,” said Lauren Vu, a 21-year-old UF psychology senior and co-president of the Asian American Student Union. “It really showed us that if you give people the opportunity, they will rise to the occasion and the community will come out.”
Students were able to vote online for their favorite submission, and on day two, winners were announced. Ingrid Wu, a 21-year-old UF advertising junior, won first place, receiving a plaque and a $30 gift certificate to 4 Rivers Smokehouse.
“Philip Wang signed my plaque ‘Keep telling stories,’” Wu said. “I really liked what he wrote down, and especially coming from an established filmmaker, it meant a lot.”
Wong Fu Productions also screened their film “Yappie,” which follows the experience of being a young Asian professional through comedy and drama. The screening was followed by a Q&A session and a meet-and-greet with Philip Wang, one of the founders of the company.
Wong Fu Productions previously visited UF in 2008. They have been touring college campuses for 12 years.
“It’s important to let people know that we have a voice and that our community has a voice,” Wang said. “We can show them the depth of our community, and I hope that it’s encouraging young creators to feel comfortable to share their voice.”
Exhibition and competition films can be viewed on YouTube.
Wong Fu Productions spoke at AASU's first ever film festival.
