CHOY WINNER OF TATSUKAWA MEMORIAL AWARD

Independent film maker Christine Choy has been named to receive the second Steve Tatsukawa Memorial Fund Award, a $1,000 grant given in recognition of her leadership in promoting creative expression and opportunity for Asian Americans in the media.

Born in Shanghai, Choy came to the United States in 1965 at 16, studying architecture and eventually entering graduate studies in urban planning at Princeton and Columbia universities before turning to film making. Among her works are “From Spikes to Spindles,” a 1976 film about New York’s Chinatown, “To Love, Honor and Obey,” a 1980 documentary on battered women, and “Monkey King Looks West,” a documentary/narrative on Chinese Opera made last year.

Choy’s award will be presented at the ninth Asian American International Film Festival in New York on Friday.

A nationwide nominating committee considers candidates for the Tatsukawa award, honoring the UCLA-educated writer, film maker and community activist who died in 1984 at 35. For information about contributions to the fund, call (213) 680-4462.