EntSun News/10655265

NEW YORK - April 15, 2016 - EntSun -- The Uptown, a high-energy casual American restaurant serving delectable, comfort-driven fare alongside a creative beer, wine and specialty cocktail list, will be hosting Film Lab's Twelfth Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout ("Shootout") Launch Party this year, which will take place on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Shootout is a worldwide filmmaking competition celebrating gender and ethnic diversity in film in which filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. The films celebrate diversity and the filmmaking teams compete for industry mentorships, cash, prizes, and exhibitions ranging from the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast, to CrossingsTV, AAFL TV and other exhibition venues.

The Shootout creates opportunities for filmmakers of color and women, with a focus on Asian Americans, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and create positive significant impact on the visibility of Asian and Asian American and other diverse stories and characters in film and television.  One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.

The 12th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout begins on June 2, 2014, at the vibrant and exciting Uptown in Manhattan. The Uptown is one of the more versatile venues on the Upper East Side, offering outside dining, private party room, spacious dining room and vibrant bar scene.  The competition theme will be announced there at 8:00PM EST on June 2^nd and simultaneously posted on the internet at www.film-lab.org and https://www.facebook.com/72hrshootout.