'' Asylum Seekers '' had its world premiere at the European Film Market on the first day of the 59th Berlin International Film Festival , which was held from February 5 until February 15 , 2009 in Berlin , Germany . The film was then screened on June 13 and 14 at the 2009 CineVegas International Film Festival in Las Vegas , Nevada . During CineVegas , the film 's public relations representative arranged for a wedding to take place on the red carpet immediately before the film 's initial showing at the Palms Casino Resort . The film 's director Rania Ajami explained the reasoning behind the stunt claiming that the " two institutions , the institution of marriage and the mental institution in which the majority of film is set , were sufficient bonding agents " . Further , the Red Carpet wedding was a Las Vegas-centric experience , " couples come to Las Vegas to marry , see shows , Elvis impersonators , " Ms. Ajami explained . " We stayed true to the locale of the festival , and created a crazy all Vegas show for a Vegas festival . " The bride and groom we 're from Houston , Texas and were selected because they were young , and self-proclaimed " fun " people , which matched the demographic of the film . The infamous Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas helped select the suitable couple
59th Berlin International Film Festival
59th Berlin International Film Festival
Asylum Seekers (film)