In her feature debut, director Leslie Tai takes an in-depth look at the business of birth tourism in the United States. Her blunt camera work reveals the hopes and struggles of Chinese women who strive to offer their babies a better future by giving birth overseas. This compassionate story of sacrifice digs deeper into an underground industry that fabricates dreams and endangers the lives of expectant women and their infants.
Several women housed in a California community converse about their experience as birth tourists. They expect their babies to receive citizenship once born and start their journey towards a better life. A shadow industry is built around them, to cater to their specific needs. Their transportation, housing and health care are taken care of for a hefty price. Soon, the mothers find out that this experience takes more than just a monetary toll on them.
On the surface, the decision to.
Several women housed in a California community converse about their experience as birth tourists. They expect their babies to receive citizenship once born and start their journey towards a better life. A shadow industry is built around them, to cater to their specific needs. Their transportation, housing and health care are taken care of for a hefty price. Soon, the mothers find out that this experience takes more than just a monetary toll on them.
On the surface, the decision to.
- 11/26/2023
- by Sergiu Inizian
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
What is the American Dream? the Oxford English Dictionary defines the American dream as “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” However, no one has the exact same idea of it; there are many different views on what the American Dream is. Many refer to the US as a land of freedom, but different generations have defined freedom differently. There is without a doubt, a great deal of the aforementioned hard work, determination, and initiative in a growing troop of Chinese women and families pursuing the dream and earning their way to a better life through having a baby with U.S. citizenship. With her work “How to Have an American Baby” that is a result of years of intensive commitment, Director Leslie Tai documents and exposes the controversial occurrence known as...
- 11/15/2023
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Sprawling in scope, observational in form and jaw-dropping in access, Leslie Tai’s How to Have an American Baby shows exactly what its title describes. The title is also the name of a sales talk one of the doc’s characters gives to Chinese moms with the financial means to travel and gift their future offspring US citizenship. The Chinese-American director takes her viewers on the wildest of rides through a birth tourism industry hiding in plain, sunny SoCal sight: underground maternity hotels run by shady operators and filled to the brim with expectant mothers, local hospitals employing doctors in on the […]
The post “I Rejected the Concept of Linearity”: Leslie Tai on How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Rejected the Concept of Linearity”: Leslie Tai on How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/14/2023
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Sprawling in scope, observational in form and jaw-dropping in access, Leslie Tai’s How to Have an American Baby shows exactly what its title describes. The title is also the name of a sales talk one of the doc’s characters gives to Chinese moms with the financial means to travel and gift their future offspring US citizenship. The Chinese-American director takes her viewers on the wildest of rides through a birth tourism industry hiding in plain, sunny SoCal sight: underground maternity hotels run by shady operators and filled to the brim with expectant mothers, local hospitals employing doctors in on the […]
The post “I Rejected the Concept of Linearity”: Leslie Tai on How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “I Rejected the Concept of Linearity”: Leslie Tai on How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 11/14/2023
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
We’re happy to share the first trailer for Leslie Tai’s debut documentary How to Have an American Baby, which next plays at the San Diego Asian Film Festival on Nov. 3 before making its New York City premiere on November 14th at Doc NYC and continuing on to Cucalorus Film Festival screenings on November 16 and 19. From the press release: a creative documentary that takes us behind the closed doors of the booming shadow economy catering to Chinese tourists who travel to the U.S. to give birth—in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for their babies. Told through a series of […]
The post Trailer Watch: How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 10/25/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
We’re happy to share the first trailer for Leslie Tai’s debut documentary How to Have an American Baby, which next plays at the San Diego Asian Film Festival on Nov. 3 before making its New York City premiere on November 14th at Doc NYC and continuing on to Cucalorus Film Festival screenings on November 16 and 19. From the press release: a creative documentary that takes us behind the closed doors of the booming shadow economy catering to Chinese tourists who travel to the U.S. to give birth—in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for their babies. Told through a series of […]
The post Trailer Watch: How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: How to Have an American Baby first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 10/25/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Exclusive: A Sheila E. documentary, a film from The Two Killings of Sam Cooke director about growing up female in the Deep South, and a free speech project from Julia Bacha are among those films awarded a grant from a Covid-19 doc fund.
Xtr, the documentary studio set up by Ryot co-founder Bryn Mooser, Knock Down The House producer Wavelength Productions and new partner Park Pictures, the company behind The Truffle Hunters, partnered on the Keep The Lights On Fund to help struggling documentary filmmakers finish projects hit by the shutdown.
The collaboration offered filmmakers between $5,000 and $10,000 to help support post-production budgets or filmmakers’ personal expenses during the shutdown.
Some 12 of the 15 winners are helmed by female directors.
The fund was available for U.S.-based documentary filmmakers with feature-length films in post-production, films that were scheduled for completion in 2020 prior to the pandemic, films that address contemporary issues and premium,...
Xtr, the documentary studio set up by Ryot co-founder Bryn Mooser, Knock Down The House producer Wavelength Productions and new partner Park Pictures, the company behind The Truffle Hunters, partnered on the Keep The Lights On Fund to help struggling documentary filmmakers finish projects hit by the shutdown.
The collaboration offered filmmakers between $5,000 and $10,000 to help support post-production budgets or filmmakers’ personal expenses during the shutdown.
Some 12 of the 15 winners are helmed by female directors.
The fund was available for U.S.-based documentary filmmakers with feature-length films in post-production, films that were scheduled for completion in 2020 prior to the pandemic, films that address contemporary issues and premium,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Women In Film, Los Angeles has revealed the recipients of its 33rd annual Film Finishing Fund, which awards cash grants and production services to complete works-in-progress films that are by or about women.
A total of nine grantees were chosen by an industry jury for the calendar year 2018. This edition’s crop emerged from 390 feature-length narrative films, documentaries and shorts, submitted from 22 countries.
“The 2018 grantees tackle some of society’s most pressing issues and work in innovative ways to tell excellent stories that matter,” Wif executive director Kirsten Schaffer said. “Through the Film Finishing Fund, we are able to support these filmmakers at a crucial moment of their journey to help ensure their voices are heard. We, along with our partners Stella Artois, are proud to support them and look forward to their success.”
Previous Wif grantees have gone on to win Oscars, Emmys and festival awards. Last year’s...
A total of nine grantees were chosen by an industry jury for the calendar year 2018. This edition’s crop emerged from 390 feature-length narrative films, documentaries and shorts, submitted from 22 countries.
“The 2018 grantees tackle some of society’s most pressing issues and work in innovative ways to tell excellent stories that matter,” Wif executive director Kirsten Schaffer said. “Through the Film Finishing Fund, we are able to support these filmmakers at a crucial moment of their journey to help ensure their voices are heard. We, along with our partners Stella Artois, are proud to support them and look forward to their success.”
Previous Wif grantees have gone on to win Oscars, Emmys and festival awards. Last year’s...
- 1/16/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Grantees selected from 390 feature-length narrative films, documentaries, shorts submitted from 22 countries.
Women In Film, Los Angeles on Wednesday (16) announced nine recipients of the 33rd annual Film Finishing Fund.
The grantees were selected from 390 feature-length narrative films, documentaries and shorts submitted from 22 countries. The Fund provides cash grants and in-kind production services to complete films that fit the established criteria of being by or about women. The works-in-progress are viewed by a special jury of women in the industry who select the winning films.
The 2018 Women In Film Finishing Fund winners are:
Stella Artois Grants
Decade Of Fire by Gretchen Hildebran...
Women In Film, Los Angeles on Wednesday (16) announced nine recipients of the 33rd annual Film Finishing Fund.
The grantees were selected from 390 feature-length narrative films, documentaries and shorts submitted from 22 countries. The Fund provides cash grants and in-kind production services to complete films that fit the established criteria of being by or about women. The works-in-progress are viewed by a special jury of women in the industry who select the winning films.
The 2018 Women In Film Finishing Fund winners are:
Stella Artois Grants
Decade Of Fire by Gretchen Hildebran...
- 1/16/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Camden/Tfi Filmmaker Retreat presented by CNN Films to take place in Maine.
Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) top brass on Monday unveiled the third annual Filmmaker retreat in partnership with Points North Institute and CNN Films.
The event kicked off on Monday (19) in Camden and Rockport, Maine, and will run for six days, offering five Us-based documentary filmmaking teams with professional guidance and mentorship.
This year’s selected projects explore various issues facing Americans today, from Islamic radicalisation to immigration, birth tourism, reproductive rights, and national parks.
The retreat participants are:
Belly Of The Beast – Erika Cohn (director-producer); Angela Tucker (producer)
Border South – Raul O. Paz Pastrana (director-producer-cinematographer); Ellen Knechel (editor-co-producer)
How To Have An American Baby – Leslie Tai (director-producer); Jillian Schultz (co-producer)
The Mountain And The Magic City – Bridget Besaw (director-producer); Ben Severance (director-producer)
The Youth – Eunice Lau (director-producer); Arthur Nazaryan (director-producer).
Industry mentors include filmmaker Amir Bar Lev (The Tillman Story, Long Strange Trip); [link...
Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) top brass on Monday unveiled the third annual Filmmaker retreat in partnership with Points North Institute and CNN Films.
The event kicked off on Monday (19) in Camden and Rockport, Maine, and will run for six days, offering five Us-based documentary filmmaking teams with professional guidance and mentorship.
This year’s selected projects explore various issues facing Americans today, from Islamic radicalisation to immigration, birth tourism, reproductive rights, and national parks.
The retreat participants are:
Belly Of The Beast – Erika Cohn (director-producer); Angela Tucker (producer)
Border South – Raul O. Paz Pastrana (director-producer-cinematographer); Ellen Knechel (editor-co-producer)
How To Have An American Baby – Leslie Tai (director-producer); Jillian Schultz (co-producer)
The Mountain And The Magic City – Bridget Besaw (director-producer); Ben Severance (director-producer)
The Youth – Eunice Lau (director-producer); Arthur Nazaryan (director-producer).
Industry mentors include filmmaker Amir Bar Lev (The Tillman Story, Long Strange Trip); [link...
- 6/19/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Participants receive mentorship, $5,000 grant, and Doc NYC festival retreat.
Chicken & Egg Pictures has announced the second year of its Diversity Fellows Initiative in support of five projects directed by women of colour making their first or second films.
The 2017 Diversity Fellows Initiative projects are: How To Have An American Baby directed by Leslie Tai; Warrior Women co-directed by Christina D. King and Elizabeth Castle; Untitled Race & Criminal Justice Project directed by Ursula Liang; It Rains directed by Carolina Corral; and The Other Half Of The African Sky directed by Tapiwa Chipfupa.
The projects are chosen from a pool of international applicants for the Accelerator Lab Open Call.
Diversity Fellows receive tailored mentorship and workshops, as well as a $5,000 grant and a retreat to the Doc NYC film festival.
At Doc NYC, diversity Fellows will pitch their project to potential funders, producers and broadcasters.
“The Diversity Fellows Initiative provides emerging women filmmakers of colour the practical skill sets needed...
Chicken & Egg Pictures has announced the second year of its Diversity Fellows Initiative in support of five projects directed by women of colour making their first or second films.
The 2017 Diversity Fellows Initiative projects are: How To Have An American Baby directed by Leslie Tai; Warrior Women co-directed by Christina D. King and Elizabeth Castle; Untitled Race & Criminal Justice Project directed by Ursula Liang; It Rains directed by Carolina Corral; and The Other Half Of The African Sky directed by Tapiwa Chipfupa.
The projects are chosen from a pool of international applicants for the Accelerator Lab Open Call.
Diversity Fellows receive tailored mentorship and workshops, as well as a $5,000 grant and a retreat to the Doc NYC film festival.
At Doc NYC, diversity Fellows will pitch their project to potential funders, producers and broadcasters.
“The Diversity Fellows Initiative provides emerging women filmmakers of colour the practical skill sets needed...
- 5/8/2017
- ScreenDaily
Five fiction, five documentary projects from underrepresented voices to receive support.
Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) has announced the 10 projects selected for the 14th annual Tribeca All Access (Taa) programme.
Tfi’s Artist Programmes team selected the projects from scripted and documentary works-in-progress that represent communities largely underserved in the entertainment industry.
Five grants will be awarded to the following scripted projects:
Monsters And Men: written and directed by Reinaldo Green;
Selah And The Spades: written and directed by Tayarisha Poe;
The Green Guerrillas: written and directed by Dean Marcial;
The Short History Of The Long Road: written and directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy; and
White: Co-written and directed by A. Sayeeda Moreno. Co-written by Michah Schaffer.
Five grants will be awarded to the following documentary projects:
Bloodthicker: directed by Zachary Manuel;
Border South: directed by Raul Paz Pastrana;
How To Have An American Baby: directed by Leslie Tai;
Jaddoland: directed by Nadia Shihab; and
The Youth:...
Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) has announced the 10 projects selected for the 14th annual Tribeca All Access (Taa) programme.
Tfi’s Artist Programmes team selected the projects from scripted and documentary works-in-progress that represent communities largely underserved in the entertainment industry.
Five grants will be awarded to the following scripted projects:
Monsters And Men: written and directed by Reinaldo Green;
Selah And The Spades: written and directed by Tayarisha Poe;
The Green Guerrillas: written and directed by Dean Marcial;
The Short History Of The Long Road: written and directed by Ani Simon-Kennedy; and
White: Co-written and directed by A. Sayeeda Moreno. Co-written by Michah Schaffer.
Five grants will be awarded to the following documentary projects:
Bloodthicker: directed by Zachary Manuel;
Border South: directed by Raul Paz Pastrana;
How To Have An American Baby: directed by Leslie Tai;
Jaddoland: directed by Nadia Shihab; and
The Youth:...
- 2/21/2017
- ScreenDaily
Tomorrow Is Always Too Long"A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet." —Orson Welles The click and whir of film looping through a reel exposes the filmmaker to some of the crucial fundamentals of their craft: the material and textures of film. You can allocate that sentiment to the taps on a keyboard and swish of a mouse for a modern day writer. However, the parenchyma of film, the reel and its components, remain an integral part in learning the process of filmmaking. Before you can make the blockbuster, you must learn how a camera, an extension of our eye, works. Furthermore, the filmmaker must educate themselves how the eye works and how the mind processes this alternate reality. Experimental and avant-garde film exists as way of exploring these first steps. Experimental film isn’t just a teaching tool,...
- 4/18/2015
- by Jacqueline Valencia
- MUBI
For short films, the Tribeca Film Festival is a must. Winning the award for Narrative Short or Best Documentary Short automatically qualifies a film for the Academy Awards. Their track record isn’t too bad either. Shawn Christensen’s Curfew had its New York premiere at the Festival and went on to win the Academy Award.
This year, Tribeca will show 60 short films in eight categories, from a variety of new and returning directors (including Christensen with Grandma’s Not A Toaster), and featuring performances from a number of Hollywood stars. Elijah Wood plays a standup comic who attempts a daring set in Setup,...
This year, Tribeca will show 60 short films in eight categories, from a variety of new and returning directors (including Christensen with Grandma’s Not A Toaster), and featuring performances from a number of Hollywood stars. Elijah Wood plays a standup comic who attempts a daring set in Setup,...
- 3/11/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
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