The 6th Annual Asian Film Festival of Dallas winners have just been announced. My personal pick so far for the film I have loved (by) far the most is the documentary, The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief from director Jake Clennell. Its look at the male host club Cafe Rakkyo in Minami district of Osaka provides not only a behind the curtains look at the often despied male host Peter Pan scene of selling faux courtship dreams but also a universally resonating look at finding true love in a modern world of hyper progressing urban landscapes. The best and most affecting documentary I've seen so far this year and expect a review in the days ahead.

AFFD 2007 Winners:

Grand Jury Award - Owl and the Sparrow
Best Narrative Feature - Owl and the Sparrow
Best Documentary Feature (TIE!) - The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief; Cats of Mirikitani
Best Hort Film - Monsoon
Best Short Narrative - Monsoon
Best Short Experimental/Animation - Bystanding: The Beginning of an American Lifetime
Best Short Documentary - Pilgrimage
Audience Award - Yet to be announced.

Note for the centerpiece film "Hula Girls" on Sunday (co-presented by AFI Dallas) that there is going to be some sushi love for its reception beforehand by Tom Tom.