The DC APA Film Festival kicks off tonight, and if you're attending the Opening Night festivities, you're probably already there right now. But if you're headed to check out some films over the course of the next week, here are the 2009 Festival Award Winners -- works that are definitely worth taking a look at:

Best Feature Documentary Whatever It Takes, winner of two Audience Choice Awards, has been selling out screenings in NY, LA, and SF. The documentary chronicles the struggles and triumphs of the very first year of the Bronx Center for Science & Mathematics, an innovative public high school set in NYC’s South Bronx.

Best Feature Narrative Honokaa Boy, shot in a small town on the north shore of the big island of Hawaii, tells the coming-of-age story of Leo, a Japanese college student, who, while on vacation with his girlfriend, falls in love with the sleepy Hawaii town of Honokaa. Leo befriends the quirky elderly Japanese residents, including porn-loving Koichi and the elderly confectioner and home gourmand Bee.

Best Short Documentary A Song for Ourselves is an intimate journey into the life and music of Asian American Movement troubadour Chris Iijima. He later becomes a law professor and writes about discrimination against Asian Americans.

Best Short Narrative Crocodile hails from Australia and revolves around Aussie Filipino children. The short is an atmospheric reflection on nature and family.

The George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award goes to Tze Chun, Director of Closing Night Film Children of Invention. The award recognizes the director for his talent and exemplary commitment to filmmaking within the Asian and Asian American media & arts genre.

If you attend any of these programs, you'll probably see something rewarding, and definitely worth the price of your ticket. For more information, ticket info and the full film schedule, visit the D.C. APA Film Festival website here.