Dear Filmmaker/Distributor:

Established as an Association for Asian Studies (AAS) conference program in 2011, AAS Film Expo is curated and organized by the Asian Educational Media Service (AEMS), a program of the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Due to the continued uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAS 2021 Annual Conference is being presented March 21-26, 2021 in an entirely online format on an Eastern Standard Time schedule.

Documentary and independent films on issues reflecting contemporary life in Asia will be presented throughout the dates of the conference with on-demand, asynchronous viewing options. Access to the films will be offered for registered attendees of both the free and paid areas of the virtual conference. Films will only be available to view during the six days of the conference.

Filmmakers / film representatives of selected titles will be invited to provide a live, synchronous video conversation / Q&A session with AEMS staff and conference attendees.  These one-time, online engagements will be scheduled as half-hour segments throughout the conference dates.

All films presented in the conference will be promoted through a prominent Film Expo tile on the home page of the virtual platform, as well as on the AAS, AEMS and CEAPS websites. 

We welcome the submission of films related to Asia produced by scholars and independent filmmakers. Criteria utilized in the selection process include timeliness, broad appeal to the scholarly community, and examples of new field work. 

Accepted filmmakers will receive one complimentary registration for the virtual conference, which includes access to panel and plenary sessions, the awards ceremony and keynote address, as well as spaces in which to connect with exhibitors and educators from across the globe, and access to on-demand recordings for an additional 30 days upon completion of the conference. 

We look forward to receiving your online submissions to present and promote your film at the premier annual conference of Asia scholars in North America as they move completely online to offer impactful programming and networking opportunities for emerging research in diverse disciplines contributing to Asian Studies. 

For programming consideration in AAS 2021 Film Expo, please complete an ONLINE FILM SUBMISSION FORM below. We will review films via secure Vimeo or YouTube, or via transfer of a digital file. Our film submission deadline: Monday, January 11, 2021. 

Please note:  

• We do not accept any films that have had scheduled screenings at past meetings.  
• Selected AAS 2020 Film Expo titles may be resubmitted, but a screening in 2021 is not gauranteed.
• AAS does not pay rental or royalty fees, nor does it charge you for publicity and exposure. AAS considers this program of mutual benefit to both you and our members. 
• Selected films will be required to submit 2-3 promotional images at 300dpi-600dpi, which may be included at time of submission via email to finkelma@illinois.edu  
  
  Contact:
  Jason Finkelman | Asian Educational Media Service | finkelma@illinois.edu | 217-265-0640 

SUBMISSION FORM: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/7473618