A new award for Asian cinemain the UK has been launched.

The contest, created byTiger Beer, is open to films produced with Asian funding, filmed in Asia orusing predominantly Asian talent. Winners will be announced in April and willinclude films released in the UK between February 2004 and February 2005 - TheChinese Lunar Year.

"Film of Asian origin isenjoying an unprecedented growth in popularity in the UK, seeing cinemaadmissions grow dramatically," said Laura De Casto, managing director of distributorTartan Films.