It’s time!!! Please come join us

The location is at Yellow House coffee shop and the address is:
234 S Oxford AveLos Angeles, CA 90004

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yellow-house-cafe-los-angeles

Support the Geographies of Kinship Campaign!
Geographies of Kinship – The Korean Adoption Story is the latest film from award-winning filmmaker, Deann Borshay Liem (First Person Plural and In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee). The film follows Korean adoptees from the U.S. and Europe on their journeys to reconnect with their birth country and piece together their past. Deann is raising funds for the production phase of the project. Please click here to view the trailer and help get this film made!

A Note from Deann
While traveling around the world with my previous films, I’ve met hundreds of Korean adoptees from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Canada and heard countless stories from adoptees of all ages – sometimes heartbreaking, oftentimes funny and ironic, always inspiring.

Geographies of Kinship presents a small handful of the amazing stories I’ve heard from around the world. We meet, for example, Estelle Cooke-Sampson, a bi-racial adoptee who revisits the orphanage where she grew up until she was adopted by an African American soldier. Emma Anderson is a Swedish adoptee who visits Korea for the first time and unexpectedly reunites with her birth mother. Meanwhile, Michael Holloway meets his birth family via webcam on a live television show. He is shocked to discover he has an identical twin.

We have already started development of the project and shot some interviews. We’re now asking for contributions via Kickstarter so that we can continue our momentum and complete the shooting phase of the film. Your support will help get all the elements we need for the film so we can start editing and make what I know will be a fantastic film.

There are all sorts of exciting prizes in exchange for your support. Please check out the Kickstarter campaign and pass this link along to all your friends!

Thank you in advance and happy viewing!

Deann Borshay Liem
Producer/Director/Writer
Visit www.mufilms.org
Contact info@mufilms.org

* A FILM SCREENING of “The Woman, the Orphan, & the Tiger” (2010), an
experimental film by Jane Jin Kaisen and Guston Sondin-Kung. As a
project that challenges the dominant narrative of transnational
adoption as a “humanitarian” effort, “The Woman, the Orphan, & the
Tiger” incisively articulates the ways in which children’s and women’s
bodies have been violently mobilized for the “national security” and
economic growth of the U.S. and South Korea.

Date: March 21st, Wednesday Evening, from 7-9 PM (light food included)
Location: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) in Downtown Los Angeles
1145 Wilshire Blvd # 200 Los Angeles, CA 90017. FREE PARKING ON ROOF
AFTER 6 PM. FOR DIRECTIONS/TO RSVP to cbaik@usc.edu

* A CRITICAL DISCUSSION of “The Woman the Orphan, & the Tiger” (2010).
Our distinguished panelists will discuss the history and impact of
Korean transnational adoption– and the ways in which Korean adoptees
have critiqued and challenged the adoption industry through film, art,
and literary projects.

Panelists:
Jane Jin Kaisen & Guston Sondin-Kung, Visual Artists
Jodi Kim, Associate Professor, Dept. of Ethnic Studies, UC Riverside
Nicky Sa-Eun Schidkraut, Ph.D. in Literature & Creative Writing, USC.
(Organized by Crystal Baik, Ph.D. candidate in American Studies and
Ethnicity).

Date: March 22nd, Thursday, Noon-2 PM (light food included).
Location: Rosen Family Screening Theatre, USC Campus, Tudor Campus
Center 2nd Floor (TCC 227). FOR DIRECTIONS/TO RSVP to cbaik@usc.edu.

Co-sponsored by USC Dept. of American Studies and Ethnicity (ASE),
Peers in American Studies & Ethnicity (PASEO), Kaya Press, USC Asian
American Studies, and USC Korean Studies Institute (KSI).

“Why don’t you speak Korean?”

“Where are you from? No, where are you really from?”

“Do you remember Korea?”

“Are you from North Korea or South Korea?”

“Oh wow you were adopted from Korea?! My friend’s cousin’s sister’s niece is adopted from Korea! Do you know her?”

Do you quotes sound all too familiar to you as a Korean adoptee? Why can’t we KADs jump on the “Sh*t People Say” bandwagon too?! How have these types of statements informed the person you are today?

Join us for a discussion on the journey of Korean adoptee identity development where we will engage in dialogue around what it means to be a Korean adoptee. Come out to share, learn, listen, and eat afterwards at a TBD location in Koreatown.

**dinner in Koreatown to follow

**free parking in the back from Ingraham St and also metered parking in the front on Wilshire

**http://www.yelp.com/biz/hwa-sun-ji-tea-and-coffee-los-angeles

KUE’s 2nd Annual Banquet

Saturday, December 17, 2011, 6-8:30pm

Immanual Presbyterian Church – 3300 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles

Dear Friends,

Koreans United for Equality (KUE) is excited to invite you to our second annual banquet.  This year’s theme is “Why We Fight.”  Since our formation in 2008, we have been fighting to increase the visibility of LGBTQ Koreans/Korean Americans, provide resources, and promote education of LGBTQ-related issues in the Korean community.  Some of our achievements from the past year include:

• Safe Space – monthly safe space gatherings and socials, Safe Space retreat
• Community Education – LGBTQ workshop for Korean American high school students; facilitating LGBTQ-related discussions with ally organizations from the Korean community; internal education on the politics of language, “what is an ally,” and transgender rights; development of a “KUE FAQ”; translation of an LGBTQ and faith document; writing OpEd pieces for Korean media in support of LGBTQ rights in the context of the FAIR Educ Act
• Outreach and Recruitment: Long Beach Pride; L.A. Pride; AIDS Walk; May Day; sponsorship of Tuesday Night Café; membership socials; participation at the NQAPIA (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance) and Creating Change conferences

As another exciting year ends, we would like to invite you to a night of celebration and reflection on why we fight.  We are a grass-roots, purely volunteer-based organization and this event is our sole fundraising event of the year.  Funds raised at our banquet will be used for continued programming through the end of 2012.  Please help sustain the work we do! 

Tickets are $25 and the evening will include delicious Korean food, musical performances (including a special guest performance by SKIM, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoEpT765hs0), a play about Queereans and special guest speakers (including a keynote by Jules Sohn).  Please RSVP your ticket(s) today by emailing info@kue-la.org.  If you can’t attend the event, but would like to make a donation to KUE, please email info@kue-la.org.  Also, please contact us if if you would like to attend, but don’t have $25 — maybe you can help us set up or clean up for a free ticket?  :)

We thank you for your commitment to equality, social justice, and helping to build the LGBTQ movement in the Korean community.
Please feel free to forward any questions about this year’s banquet to info@kue-la.org.
On behalf of all of us at KUE, thank you for your continued support!
–
Koreans United for Equality
www.kue-la.org
info@kue-la.org (General)
qksafespace@gmail.com (Safe Space)
(818) 660-5835
KUE FB

3960 Wilshire Blvd Ste 100, LA, CA 90010
(Metered street parking and parking lot in back with free validation)

PLEASE RSVP ON FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=291508497543970

At this meeting we plan to hold a unique discussion for Korean adoptees who are curious about the reunions between Korean adoptees and their birth families as well as post-reunion experiences. A common misperception around adoptee/birth family reunions is that the reunion itself represents a successful conclusion to an emotional and often long journey—a happily-ever-after ending. Through this discussion, we aim to help others who encounter similar situations, questions, emotions, and concerns as well as engage in a discussion that explores the many facets of post-reunion issues in relation to the adoption triad—adoptee, birth family and adoptive family. Join us for our next discussion to examine and explore the following topics:

• Searching for birth family and the initial reunion
• Navigating new terrain: managing family expectations and creating boundaries
• Cultural differences, language barrier, etc.
• Dealing with a long distance relationship with your birth family
• Balancing the relationship between your birth family and adoptive family

Hope to see many of you there!

Cheers,
Andrea & Robyn

The best candidates for this position will care about film and media arts as methods to promote cross-cultural connections.  They’ll also be familiar with L.A.’s Asian Pacific American community and organizations including the Association of Korean Adoptees of Southern California. You’ll find the job listing below and also on our site at: http://www.vconline.org/alpha/cms//index.cfm/get-involved/jobs/director-of-development/.

We appreciate your dedication to Visual Communications and look forward to your continued support.

Sincerely,

Daina Solomon

________________

Daina Beth Solomon

Development & Marketing Intern

Visual Communications — Connecting Communities Through Media Arts daina@vconline.org | p: 213.680.4462 | f: 213.687.4848

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS JOB DESCRIPTION:  DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT http://www.vconline.org/alpha/cms//index.cfm/get-involved/jobs/director-of-development/

Summary:

The Director of Development position is responsible for Visual Communications fundraising efforts as a mid-size, full service media arts organization focused on serving Asian Pacific media arts and artists. S/he plans, directs and implements a comprehensive development program that generates individual donors, foundation, government and corporate support.

The job includes fund development, information management, marketing, research, grant writing and reporting.  S/he will develop VC’s major donor plan in line with the Strategic Planning goals for the organization.  S/he will also work closely with Program Staff in implementing fundraising and evaluation activities for our regular programs and will be a part of the core team during our annual L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival.  The Development Director reports directly to the Executive Director.

Primary Responsibilities:

1.     Directs a fund development program that includes government, foundation and corporate gifts, special events and individual giving, and will develop major donor and planned giving efforts;

2.     Oversees and implements strategies that will grow annual revenue, writes proposals and secures funding from corporate and foundation donors ;

3.     Research new grants and foundation initiatives, keeps current of funding trends;

4.     With the Executive Director and Board, builds and sustains relationships with current, new and potential grant-giving organizations and individuals;

5.     Experience managing and coordinating annual fundraising events;

6.     Maintains an accurate grants calendar and transmits this information monthly to the Executive Director;

7.     Manages individual donor campaigns, including membership renewals and special appeals;

8.     Manages organizational membership database – creates profiles and tracks donors and prospects;

9.     Develops, markets and implements a planned giving program to ensure VC’s long-term financial health;

10.   Assists with content development for the website, marketing materials, e-newsletters and social networking sites to ensure inclusion of donor-focused content;

11.   Assist with marketing of VC programs, implement marketing strategies, generate audiences and increase memberships;

12.   Works with with the VC Board to enhance development efforts and individual giving campaigns;

11.  Represents VC at public events, conferences, and screenings as necessary.

Qualifications:

* Personal commitment to goals and mission of Visual Communications

* Minimum three years experience in charitable fund development with proven results

* Experience working with mid-size organizations with annual income of approximately $1M

* Demonstrated success in successfully soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals

* Demonstrated success in securing major annual gifts from foundations and corporations

* Demonstrated success with grant writing, sponsorships and special events

* Demonstrated success in working as a member of a team and developing effective working relationships with staff, volunteers and donors

* Excellent written/oral communication skills

* Computer literacy and competency with electronic donor tracking systems

* Contacts in the Asian Pacific and California philanthropic community desired

Salary: commensurate with experience

Hours:  full time, 40 hours

To Apply: Email resume and cover letter to: Shinae Yoon, Executive Director, Visual Communications Shinae@vconline.org

Deadline: Please apply by August 26th, 2011

Fellowship Cultivates New Generation of Asian Pacific American Filmmakers

Applications Due July 29th

LOS ANGELES – Visual Communications is now accepting applications for its10th annual Armed With a Camera Fellowship. The fellowship fosters the education, training and professional development of up-and-coming Asian Pacific American filmmakers. In doing so, it seeks to shed light on the experiences of communities traditionally underrepresented by visual media.

The fellowship is open to filmmakers under 30-years-old of Asian Pacific descent. South Asian, Southeast Asian and women filmmakers are strongly encouraged to apply. From November 2011 to March 2012 Visual Communications will provide the support and resources for ten fellows to each to create a five-minute digital video. These resources will include:
• $500 cash grant
• Training, workshops and mentoring from industry professionals
• Opportunity for collaborative work with other fellows
• Access to equipment and editing facilities
• World premiere of completed film in the “VC Digital Posse” showcase of the 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
• All-access pass to films, panels and events of the 2012 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
• Opportunity to network with professional filmmakers and Visual Communications staff and supporters

In the past decade, Visual Communications has supported 70 filmmakers through the fellowship. Last year’s portfolio represents a characteristic diversity of topics. One documentary traces the disappearance of a Filipino-American R&B star. Another tells the emigration story of a filmmaker’s Vietnamese father. Several narrative works explore family relationships. In one, a South Asian lesbian woman spends the Hindu New Year with her partner. In another, a Japanese woman questions her marriage to an American. Settings range from a World War II battlefield in France to a sci-fi future.

Applications are available at http://www.vconline.org.

The Armed with a Camera Fellowship is partially funded by the James Irvine Foundation, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Morgan Stanley Foundation.

About Visual Communications: Founded in 1970, Visual Communications has a long and prominent history promoting intercultural understanding through the creation, presentation, preservation and support of media works by and about Asian Pacific Americans.

Please contact Daina Solomon (daina@vconline.org or 213 680-4462 ext. 30) for more information.

The G.O.A.’L First Trip Home is intended for adoptees that have not previously returned to Korea, and would like to do so in order to conduct a birth family search. Rather than a typical tour of Korea, the G.O.A.’L First Trip Home is centered around birth family searches and reunions. Since its inception, the G.O.A.’L First Trip Home has aimed to reunite adult Korean adoptees with their birth families and provide a unique experience for participants. Through this program, G.O.A.’L seeks to support adoptees in their journey to develop personal identity through a nurturing and comfortable experience.

For participants it also represents a chance to reconnect with a country, a culture, and a home. Each year G.O.A.’L provides services and support such as lodging, meals, airfare, a visit to adoption agencies, and the opportunity to appear in the media. G.O.A.’L also plans group events and activities, optional workshops, and leaves time for personal excursions. Through a variety of planned activities and individual schedules, the G.O.A.’L First Trip Home is a way for adoptees to reconnect with Korea, connect with each other, and grow as individuals in a supportive environment.

As we continue to grow the G.O.A.’L First Trip Home program each year, we would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support, and the hard working staff and volunteers. Without them none of this would be possible.

Please see the link for the application details.

http://goal.or.kr/eng/?slms=for&lsms=2&sl=5&ls=1&query=view&uid=354&where=&word=&page=1

For y’all who were unable to make it, we are working on putting together another screening just for AKA-SoCal.  In the meantime, here is the link for the trailer.

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