“Asian Persuasion” Triumphs with Audience Award Win at Soho International Film Festival

The “Asian Persuasion” cast during the Q&A at the SOHO International Film Festival where their film had its world premiere. L-R: Dante Basco (Mickey), KC Concepcion (Avery), Kevin Kreider (Caspian), and Paolo Montalban (Lee). Scarlett Sher (Sam) plays the daughter of Mickey and Avery. (Photo courtesy of Asian Persuasion/Troi Santos)

NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 – "Asian Persuasion" has clinched the prestigious Audience Award for Best Full-Length Film at the highly acclaimed Soho International Film Festival. The festival took place on September 21, 2023, at Fushimi Times Square in Manhattan. The film was also one of the eight nominees for Best U.S. Showcase Feature Film.

First-time screenwriter Mike Ang (left) and Tony and Grammy award-winning Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino (right) are some of the creative minds behind “Asian Persuasion.” (Photo courtesy of Asian Persuasion/Troi Santos)

“Asian Persuasion”, which is the directing debut of Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino, is produced by himself and Mike Ang, who is also making his debut as a screenwriter for this movie. The film's cast includes notable talents such as Dante Basco (“Hook,” “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers), KC Concepcion (“For the First Time”), Paolo Montalban (“Cinderella”), and Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”).

In a story posted on myx.global, it was noted that "The film, which was shot in New York City, features a predominantly Asian cast and production team featuring representation from 21 different countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia Israel, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam."

After winning the Audience Award, the elated "Asian Persuasion" team expressed their heartfelt appreciation on social media. They shared their gratitude, saying, "Thank YOU to those who cheered and howled during our world premiere last Saturday and for your votes!"

In an Instagram post, KC Concepcion is thrilled that their film won the award, saying “Ang saya” and extends “big love to the entire production.”

The film tells the outlandish story of a down-on-his-luck chef, Mickey de Los Santos (Dante Basco), who, together with his best friend Caspian (Kevin Kreider), cooks up a crazy scheme to marry off his ex-wife, Avery Chua (KC Concepcion), by setting her up with a fake internet dating profile to find her a suitor to re-marry to avoid his substantial alimony obligations.

ABS-CBN Global COO Aldrin Cerrado (center), who is also one of the Executive Producers of “Asian Persuasion,” joins the film’s director, Jhett Tolentino (right), during the screening at the SOHO International Film Festival.  (Photo courtesy of Asian Persuasion/Troi Santos)

Upcoming screenings of "Asian Persuasion" in the United States include the Richmond International Film Festival on September 28, 2023, and the San Diego Filipino Film Festival on October 8, 2023.

For fans in the Philippines, the film will be released nationwide on November 29th. Catch the “Asian Persuasion” cast and creators in their Philippine mall tours on the following dates:

- Nov. 27 - Mandaluyong Manila (SM Megamall)
- Nov. 28 - Makati (Greenbelt)
- Nov. 29 - Cebu (SM City Seaside)
- Dec. 1 - Iloilo (SM City Iloilo)
- Dec. 2 - Bacolod (Ayala Malls Capitol Central)
- Dec. 5 - Pampanga (SM City Clark)