The San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF) is excited to announce its twelfth season which runs OCTOBER 20-28, 2011 at the Mission Valley UltraStar Cinemas (7510 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92108).  This year, the Festival has selected to honor NANCY KWAN with a Lifetime Achievement Award.   Best known for her groundbreaking roles in The World of Suzie Wong (1960) and Flower Drum Song (1961), Nancy Kwan has been working in Hollywood for 50 years.

“Nancy Kwan is a pioneer who opened the door for countless minority actors, particularly Asian American women.  Not only was she one of the first leading Asian American women in Hollywood, but she has lasted 50 years in the industry – a rare accomplishment,” says SDAFF executive director Lee Ann Kim.

Kwan will be honored during the Festival’s Gala Awards dinner, Saturday, October 22, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina.  More than 700 people will be in attendance including actors, filmmakers, and community and business leaders.  Other celebrity guests scheduled to attend include Kelly Hu (Scorpion King, X2), Harry Shum (Glee), Sung Kang (Fast Five), CS Lee (Dexter), and singer Judith Hill (This Is It).

The Festival will also screen a free documentary on Nancy Kwan’s life on Monday, October 24 at 4PM at the Hazard Center UltraStar Cinemas.

More than 160 films will premiere during the Festival from 20+ countries.  For ticketing info, full film details, and schedule, please visit www.SDAFF.org ‘)}