#FIRSTLOOK: 29TH TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED

The 29th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival, announced its 2025 programming lineup today. Opening this year’s festival is Space Cadet, directed and scored by Canada’s own Kid Koala, based on his graphic novel of the same name. Fresh off its North American premiere at TIFF, the film launches an exciting edition of Reel Asian, which runs from November 5 to 15, 2025. Selected feature films and all shorts will also be available online across Canada from November 10 to 23, 2025. Reel Asian celebrates contemporary Asian cinema, uniting cultures and connecting communities through the power of storytelling.

The 2025 lineup spotlights 17 film features and 45 short films, showcasing diverse voices and stories from Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam.

Homegrown highlights include: Finch & Midland by Timothy Yeung, which follows four families who immigrated from Hong Kong in Scarborough, Montréal, ma belle starring Joan Chen (Didi, The Home Song Stories) explores the complexities and conflicts of being a middle-aged Chinese mother in Montreal, and There Are No Words, by award-winning returning filmmaker Min Sook Lee (Migrant Dreams, The Real Inglorious Bastards), is a brave mediation on grief, loss, memory and longing.

The Centrepiece Gala presents the Toronto premiere of Akashi, the romantic debut feature by Vancouver-based actor, writer and director Mayumi Yoshida. The festival will also host a Special Singalong Presentation of Netflix’s global hit K-Pop Demon Hunters, followed by a meet and greet with creator and director Maggie Kang and co-director Chris Appelhans.

This year, Reel Asian has partnered with the Inside Out Film Festival, which is celebrating 35 years, to present Let’s Do The Time Warp Again!, a bold lineup of animated shorts that push boundaries and reimagine 2SLGBTQ+ storytelling. The Shorts programme also includes the categories: the rebellious Charged Up, the heartfelt Family Style, the imaginative Otherworlds, the curious Unquenchable and Unsung Voices 14 featuring six emerging Canadian filmmakers who took part in a months-long filmmaking workshop with Reel Asian this past summer. Wee Asian returns offering free drop-in programming and activities for all ages, accompanied by storytelling, arts and play bringing generations together.

The official festival commissioned animation Muse by Janet Mac will be on view at Sankofa Square, playing on rotation from October 9 to November 23. Janet Mac will also take part in an artist talk ahead of the festival opening.

“We are incredibly proud of this year’s lineup, which reflects the richness and diversity of voices from emerging talent to returning and established filmmakers,” said Deanna Wong, Executive Director of Reel Asian. “As we approach our 30th anniversary, Reel Asian continues to be more than just a film festival. It is a space for community, dialogue and discovery where audiences can connect through screenings, workshops, panels and conversations that celebrate Asian storytelling in all its forms”.

Festivalgoers can participate in immersive workshops and panel discussions, including the RA:X multi-day symposium, featuring the Sari-Sari Xchange, which explores how XR and emerging media can shape creative practices. The Reel Ideas programme offers audiences a behind-the-scenes look through a special masterclass on the workplace comedy 18 to 35 presented by creator Rahul Chaturvedi (Producer, Bollywed; Writer, Late Bloomer); an in-depth conversation with director Kid Koala and Head of Story and Production Design Lillian Chan about their new animated feature Space Cadet; an artist talk with filmmaker Ian Tuason and OCAD President Ana Serrano on the journey of The Undertone – from its origins to securing a major distribution deal with A24. To close the festival, audiences are invited to join the fun and cheer on the finalists in the annual live So You Think You Can Pitch? competition, hosted by Rakhee Morzaria (Run the Burbs, Dinner with Friends).

Please see Reel Asian’s programming highlights below. For the full Festival programme and schedule, please visit reelasian.com or view the Programme Guide here.

FEATURES
[*] indicates expected attendance

SPACE CADET (Opening Night)
Dir. Kid Koala* | Canada 2025 | 86 min. | No Dialogue | GA
Ever since astronaut-in-training Celeste was a child, Robot has served as a surrogate parent while her mother explored the galaxy. When Celeste starts a months-long mission after graduation, the pair must explore the unknowns of life without each other.

On her mission, Celeste stumbles upon a clue to her mother’s disappearance. Back on Earth, without Celeste to take care of, Robot’s mission goes from straightforward to existential. Separately but together, the two explore their purpose — inside and beyond the stars.

World-renowned scratch DJ and artist Kid Koala adapts his graphic novel of the same name into a dream cinema project. Working with a long list of collaborators from his extensive career (including songs by Karen O and Digable Planets’ Ladybug Mecca), Kid Koala evokes classic movies of the silent film era by using no dialogue and only beautiful images and sound driven by his original scratch soundtrack.

An independent, animated film adventure 14 years in the making, Space Cadet is a true accomplishment of gritty determination and soaring creativity. It is a beautiful testament to dreaming of possibilities while grounded with love.
WED, NOV 5 AT 7:30PM, HOT DOCS CINEMA
RELAXED SCREENING: SAT, NOV 8 AT 10AM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

MY UNCLE JENS
Dir. Brwa Vahabpour | Norway, Romania 2025 | 98 min. | Kurdish, Norwegian with English subtitles | PG
Akam’s comfortable routine as a literature teacher in Oslo is disrupted by an uncle he’s never met, Khdr, who overstays his welcome on an unannounced visit from Iranian Kurdistan. Familial obligations take hold as Akam offers his uncle a space to stay in the cramped room of his shared co-op flat. Overlooking the unspoken rules of life in the West, Khdr becomes more comfortable than his nephew would like in shared spaces and while interacting with his roommates. The tense stay grows even more strained when Akam learns authorities are after Khdr, and that his uncle may not be who he says he is.

With cleverly timed situational comedy, Brwa Vahabpour’s feature directorial debut puts a finger on the diasporic experience of being sheltered from the challenging realities of life in our ancestral lands. My Uncle Jens playfully depicts situations familiar to first- and second-generation youth in predominantly white societies, examining assimilation and borders with levity and heart.
THURS, NOV 6 AT 6PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

VILLAGE ROCKSTARS 2
Dir. Rima Das | India 2024 | 98 min. | Assamese with English subtitles | PG
Reuniting with the cast of her highly acclaimed 2017 festival hit, Village Rockstars, Rima Das returns with a standalone sequel centering Dhunu, now a teenager, who lives in a small village in Assam, India, and dreams of becoming a musician. While Dhunu and her friends navigate the vulnerable transition between childhood and adulthood, weighing new responsibilities and priorities, the elders around them face harsher circumstances brought on by predatory land developers and climate change, affecting their livelihoods and sense of community.

The impeccable camerawork of director and cinematographer Das oozes poetic beauty and electric energy at every turn, in this intuitive and lyrical story showcasing the rich and diverse cultural landscape of Assam, where ancient traditions meet contemporary aspirations. Evocative, tender, and deeply human, Village Rockstars 2 solidifies Das as a singular voice in independent Indian cinema, committed to capturing the bittersweetness of life and the understated courage of daily survival with profound authenticity and grace.|
FRI, NOV 7 AT 5:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

BURY US IN A LONE DESERT
Dir. Nguyễn Lê Hoàng Phúc | Vietnam 2025 | 63 min. | Vietnamese | PG
A man’s attempt at burglary goes wrong when he’s overpowered and captured by the apartment’s elderly owner. Things take a turn for the curiouser when it’s revealed there is a human-sized plaster cast in which the old man has encased his dead wife. To win his freedom, the burglar merely has to accompany the owner to the desert to bury him along with his wife.

Macabre, peculiar, and lensed with visual flair in two distinct sections, Nguyễn Lê Hoàng Phúc’s Bury Us In A Lone Desert remarkably peels away at its grisly premise to satisfy our hearts’ need for unique bonds and timeless relationships in unexpected places.
FRI, NOV 7 AT 6PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

MONTRÉAL, MA BELLE
Dir. Xiaodan He* | Canada 2025 | 116 min. | French, Mandarin | AA
Feng Xia, 53, lives a modest but decent life in Montreal: She has a house and is married with two children. But she finds herself growing dissatisfied with her loveless marriage and cloistered life of obligation. After taking a conversational French class, Feng Xia finds the city has opened up to her in new ways, including curious dalliances with dating apps. There, she meets Camille, a Quebecois woman who challenges her spiritually and sexually. Their affair awakens Feng Xia’s long-buried desires during a glowing Montreal summer.

The iconic Joan Chen fearlessly takes on the challenging role of Feng Xia, dexterously shifting between timid matron and sensuous explorer. Director Xiaodan He creates no easy answers, though, determined to show the complexities and conflicts of being a middle-aged Chinese mother in Montreal who yearns to break out. For those like Feng Xia who carry the weight of life’s duties, self-discovery can have collateral damage.
FRI, NOV 7 AT 8:15PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

NARMADA: A VALLEY RISES
Dir. Ali Kazimi* | Canada 1994 | 87 min. | English, Hindi, Bhilali, Marathi, Gujarati | GA
Director’s Note: Narmada: A Valley Rises launched my career as a documentary filmmaker — but more importantly, it was the film that transformed the way I see the world. Made against all odds, the film stands as a testament of endurance and persistence.

Researching, shooting, and completing this film fundamentally changed my point of view as a socially committed filmmaker. It took me into the heart of a people’s struggle and forced me to reckon with the realities and brutalities of large-scale development projects in India. It taught me that filmmaking can be an act of solidarity, not just observation. And yet it is also a film that could only have been made in Canada, and one that was also informed by my engagement with Indigenous issues as a diasporic filmmaker.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 10:15AM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

MAKE IT LOOK REAL
Dir. Danial Shah | Pakistan 2024 | 67 min. | Urdu, Pashto, Hazaragi | PG
Situated in a modest retail complex in Quetta, Pakistan, is a small photo studio plastered with framed images of clients posing with women they don’t know, guns they don’t own, and motorcycles they’ve never ridden. “Make it look real” is the instruction given to the photo studio owner, Muhammad Sakhi, who earnestly captures his clients’ desires and ambitions through staged, saturated, and heavily doctored photographs. Conversations between customers and Sakhi reveal that, although the photos may be fake, the desire and delight behind them are very real.

Serving as a portal to imagined realities, each photograph emerges as a reflection on ideas of gender expression, power, and success, revealing the delicate interplay between identity and longing. As documentary director Danial Shah builds an effortless bond with Sakhi, we’re invited into a welcoming space that offers a compelling observation of the empowerment and sense of freedom possible when identities are allowed to be constructed and reworked.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 12:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

THIRD ACT
Dir. Tadashi Nakamurah* | USA 2025 | 93 min. | English | PG
Robert A. Nakamura a.k.a. Bob is a legend of Asian American media as an educator, activist, and filmmaker. His frequent collaborator, Tadashi Nakamura, or Tad, has always known he wanted to make a film about his dad’s life. But when Bob is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the urgency to make the film becomes more pronounced.

As Tad digs deeper into the documentary, they process the ghosts of his father’s past — his incarceration during the Second World War, the traumatic catalyst that drove him to success in his career, but also Bob’s depression, personal failings and self hatred, for which only film and community could serve as a salve.

A lovingly honest tribute, Third Act continues Tad’s commitment to community storytelling, this time from the inside out, making this his most personal and challenging film thus far. It is another reminder of the power of our elders and ancestors, that we may move forward, carrying them with us, bravely.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 2:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

MANOK
Dir. Yu-jin Lee* | Korea 2025 | 122 min. | Korean | PG
Pride celebrations are coming up, and Manok, the feisty owner of a venerable lesbian bar in Seoul, is preparing for the annual party. Except the younger organizers want a new vibe, leaving Manok’s bar on the fringes. Irritated at her obsolescence, Manok closes the bar out of spite and moves back to her rural hometown with a fresh start on her mind. But is that possible in a town run by her ex-husband? If anybody can do it, Manok can.

Featuring an endearing ensemble of country characters led by Mal-bok Yang as Manok, Manok is a chaotic fish-out-of-water comedy with musical numbers, political campaigns, and a little romance. As zany as it sounds, it never strays from its heartfelt journey of redefining oneself through life’s challenges, and of finding (and keeping) friends and lovers along the way.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 3:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

DIAMONDS IN THE SAND
Dir. Janus Victoria* | Philippines, Japan 2024 | 126 min. | Tagalog, Japanese | PG
In Japan’s aging society, kodokushi — the lonely death of the elderly — has become disturbingly common. Divorced salaryman Yoji (Lily Franky) is confronted with this reality when he discovers his neighbour’s decomposing body. The shocking experience forces him to face his solitude, deepened by his own mother’s aging. Seeking escape and connection, he follows a caretaker to Manila, where his choice takes an unexpected turn.

Diamonds in the Sand explores the contrasts between two distinct Asian cultures. While reflecting on the isolation faced by many people in modern society, the film also captures the warmth, vitality, and complexity of family life in the Philippines. Within this vibrant setting, bonds bring both joy and hardship, connection and obligation. This is a bittersweet story of acceptance, the courage and impact of our personal choices, and the search for meaning within oneself and community alike.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 5:15PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

FUCKTOYS
Dir. Annapurna Sriram | USA 2025 | 106 min. | English | AA
She’s been cursed. Literally. And she needs $1,000 for the hex-breaking cure. AP (played by director Annapurna Sriram) embarks on a sex worker’s odyssey through pre-millenium Trashtown, U.S.A., where the grass is brown and the cops are kinky. Desperate for a life reset, AP embarks on a scooter-driven adventure with her always-and-forever-tethered ex-lover Danni. Through strip clubs, celebrity mansions, and fortune tellers around every corner, fans of John Waters and 1990s Gregg Araki films will love Sriram’s world-building and her campy, crude, queer take on the buddy film genre.

Fucktoys is a darkly humorous tale about the uphill battle of carving out a new life for oneself and the risks it takes to do it. Sriram’s directorial debut kicks down the door for a new wave of American sexploitation films, while its anarchist spirit is a call to challenge mainstream American filmic conventions.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 8:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 3

FINCH & MIDLAND
Dir. Timothy Yeung* | Canada 2025 | 110 min. | English, Cantonese, Mandarin | 14A
Finch and Midland, an intersection in Scarborough, is like many others in the suburbs of Canada’s largest city. But every intersection has a story to tell. Timothy Yeung’s Finch & Midland focuses on four stories from the wave of Hong Kong immigrants who came to Canada in the 1990s hoping for a new life: a former pop singer trying to reconnect with his daughter; a woman caring for her elderly mother while yearning for love; a single mother who works in a massage parlour and dreams of becoming a realtor; and a factory manager confronted with a glass ceiling.

Through strip malls, harsh lights, and dark nights, Finch & Midland reinterprets the stories of the community Yeung grew up in, and stars an impressive ensemble cast led by Anthony Wong Chau‑sang. Yeung’s film is an important addition to the recent movement of local cinematic stories from Scarborough that connect to universal themes.
SUN, NOV 9 AT 3:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 2

AKASHI (CENTREPIECE GALA)
Dir. Mayumi Yoshida* | Canada 2025 | 105 min. | English, Japanese with English subtitles | PG
Kana, a struggling visual artist, returns to Japan after years away in Vancouver to attend her beloved grandmother’s funeral. The familiar cadence of family dynamics endure and yet, everything feels different. While in Tokyo, Kana discovers her grandfather had a love of his life outside of his arranged marriage to her grandmother. Meanwhile, Kana reluctantly confronts her own messy romantic past with old flame Hiro to see if the embers of their love still flicker.

Adapted from a play and short film of the same name, powerhouse actor-writer-director Mayumi Yoshida presents an impressively romantic first feature, beautifully lensed across two timelines. Yoshida deftly balances swooning, dreamlike nostalgia with the universal realities of distance, time, and circumstance.
SUN, NOV 9 AT 7:00PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 2

K-POP DEMON HUNTERS
Dir. Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans | USA 2025 | 96 min. | English, Korean | PG
K-pop? Yes, please. Demons? Sure! Hunters? OK, what?

Here’s the story: Rumi, Zoey, and Mira are HUNTR/X, a world-renowned K-pop group who ALSO hunt demons to protect humans from the underworld. But one of them has a secret that could disrupt all they’ve worked for.

The disparate elements of the global sensation K-Pop Demon Hunters don’t seem like they’d work, but they’re what make it perfect. The devil (or demon) is in the details, featuring a specificity that distinguishes it from the crowd through a celebration of Korean culture with its relatable characters, animation motifs, and absolute bangin’ soundtrack.

It’s all the brainchild of creator and co-director Maggie Kang, who grew up in Toronto and attended Sheridan College. And we’re proud to have her join us in a hometown singalong celebration of K-Pop Demon Hunters. So grab your little “Soda Pop” and show them “How It’s Done”, cuz we’re gonna be “Golden”.

MON, NOV 10 AT 7:30PM, HOT DOCS CINEMA

YEAR OF THE CAT
Dir. Tony Nguyen* | USA 2025 | 98 min. | English, Vietnamese | PG
How far would you go to uncover a family history that has been purposefully buried? What are the consequences of resurfacing these stories to fulfil your own?

In an extremely candid documentary, filmmaker Tony Nguyen embarks on a scrappy investigation to reconnect to his father, who was estranged from his family due to the Vietnam War. Challenging family members who don’t want to disturb the dust, Nguyen is determined to find the potential truth, and the value of it. Nguyen’s film is a rollercoaster ride of DIY detective work to uncover family secrets, ultimately questioning the role and power of a filmmaker.

On the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Year Of The Cat offers a sincere look at piecing together a family story post war, offering a personal reflection of how displacement and trauma gets passed down to a generation who are now parents.
TUES, NOV 11 AT 7:30PM, INNIS TOWN HALL

HUMANS IN THE LOOP
Dir. Aranya Sahay | India 2024 | 72 min. | Hindi, Kurukh | PG
Nehma belongs to the Oraon tribe and lives with her children on the outskirts of Jharkhand, India. Embroiled in a custody battle and a messy divorce, she secures a job at an AI data-labelling centre under the supervision of a stern manager. As we watch her navigate the steep learning curve of her new job and quickly confront the stark realities of biased data, the distortions in the very systems designed to help us become impossible to ignore.

In this remarkably fresh and timely narrative, director Aranya Sahay invites us to consider the volume of marginalized labour and detailed proficiency required to uphold the current growth of AI and our reliance on it. Serving as a cautionary reminder that technology may never replace human wisdom and indigenous knowledge systems, Humans in the Loop is as bold as it is urgent in its depiction of the cracks in widely held perceptions of progress and modernity.
WED, NOV 12 AT 7:30PM, INNIS TOWN HALL

THERE ARE NO WORDS
Dir. Min Sook Lee* | Canada 2024 | 99 min. | English, Korean | PG
In There Are No Words, award-winning filmmaker Min Sook Lee searches for stories of her mother, Song Ji Lee, who died by suicide when Lee was just 12 years old. Through an intimate archive, Lee confronts public, private, and imagined histories in the wake of trauma while negotiating her relationship with her aging father, who met her mother while serving in the Korean Counterintelligence Corps under dictator Park Chung Hee in 1960s Korea. Despite being an unreliable narrator with a history of abuse, Lee’s father is her last direct tie to her mother.

Lee turns the camera on herself to trace her experiences from Toronto to her birthplace in South Korea’s Hwasun County and back, documenting tender efforts to speak her mother into collective memory. There Are No Words is a brave meditation on grief, loss, memory, and longing, reminding us that even when language fails us, there is still so much to say.
THUR, NOV 13 AT 7:30PM, INNIS TOWN HALL

SHORTS

This year’s Shorts programming includes:

LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN!: Through animation’s unique ability to push boundaries and reimagine narratives, this programme reflects the formative dreams that continue to shape Inside Out and Reel Asian. Step into this chaotic but tender journey with us. Featuring three-time Canadian Screen Award winner Vivek Shraya (How to Fail as a Popstar).
THURS, NOV 6 AT 8:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

CHARGED UP: Defiance can loudly turn heads around, or remain subtle and carefully camouflaged. Between these styles, this programme sees longings vary from self-preservation, justice, vengeance, and spectacle.
FRI, NOV 7 AT 8:30PM AT TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

FAMILY STYLE: We each bring our own style to the table — whether that’s upholding tradition or breaking it, following the rules or bending them. These films explore familial complexity through play, transformation, agency, and hope.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 1PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

OTHERWORLDS: Enter worlds that feel both impossibly extreme and unsettlingly real. Thrust against the grain, these protagonists take back control of their narrative, despite forces that seek to define them otherwise. Filmmakers include Natalie Murao.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 6:30PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

UNQUENCHABLE: These films explore desire, both interpersonally and intrapersonally. Between quietly blossoming desires and glowing inner temptations, this collection strides toward you with a sly wink, a shy smile, and a glimmer in its eye.
SAT, NOV 8 AT 9PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 4

UNSUNG VOICES 14: Six emerging filmmakers embarked on a months-long filmmaking workshop this past summer. We’re proud to present their world premieres here in the 14th edition of Reel Asian’s filmmaking program.
SUN, NOV 9 AT 1PM, TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 2

RA:X

RENDER ME IN YOUR WORLDS
Storytelling beyond the screen.Render Me in Your Worlds is a multi-day symposium that highlights the Sari-Sari Xchange and Reel Asian’s shared mission of amplifying Asian representation in the creative emerging media industries. The programme explores how XR, or extended reality, and emergent media can shape relational creative practices based on unique stories, desires, and experiences, rendered as “worlds” within “a world of many worlds.

SARI-SARI XCHANGE “ASSETORY”: 3D ASSETS FOR STORYTELLING AND COMMUNITY
This workshop spotlights the Sari-Sari Xchange Assetory, a storytelling-led virtual asset library prototype created with and for the Asian diaspora. Participants will be asked to bring an object with a personal meaning, which they will learn how to scan and create a 3D reproduction of. They will also be able to share what memories, stories, and histories the object holds and contribute to the SSX Assetory if they wish.
FRI, NOV 7, 2PM–5PM | ASIATIC ITINERARIES RESEARCH CENTRE, OCADU AT 205 RICHMOND

SARI-SARI XCHANGE “ASSETORY” RECEPTION
Celebrate the launch of the Sari-Sari Xchange Assetory, a storytelling-led virtual asset library prototype created with and for the Asian diaspora, and play with mobile resource units designed to facilitate the making and exhibition of XR creative works.
FRI, NOV 14, 6PM–9PM | OPEN SPACE GALLERY, 49 MCCAUL

RE-RENDER LOCAL EMBODIED HISTORIES WITH XR
Three panellists based in China and Hong Kong share their diverse practices in preserving and revitalizing culturally significant sites through emerging media. From augmented reality projects reactivating rural Chinese areas to virtual reality works shaping collective memory, this roundtable opens a dialogue on how emerging media can tell local stories and convey lived experiences.
THURS, NOV 13, 11AM–12:30PM | BACHIR YEREX PRESENTATION SPACE, 401 RICHMOND (HYBRID)

FLOW BETWEEN WORLDS: PRACTISING AND CAPTURING TAI CHI MOVEMENTS
This immersive workshop will introduce the practice of traditional tai chi. Participants will experience its calm, flowing movements under the guidance of Mr. Zuo, a sixth-generation successor of traditional Yang-style tai chi. Participants will then explore Rokoko Vision, an accessible motion capture tool, recording and translating their movements into digital form. By merging ancient Chinese embodied philosophy with cutting-edge technology, participants are invited to move between the physical and virtual realms, transforming meditative practice into dynamic, interactive data.
THURS, NOV 13, 2PM–4PM | BACHIR YEREX PRESENTATION SPACE, 401 RICHMOND

PERFORMING XR WORLDS: MEDIA ARTISTS ON EMBODIMENT, PERFORMATIVITY, AND THE REAL
Explore the XR worldbuilding practices of media artists working at the confluence of body, space, and technology. Learn how their respective modes of knowing and making drive them to create XR worlds and performance experiences that rethink the self, rationality, technology, the dichotomies of the actual/virtual, and what constitutes reality in the digital age. Together, we will speculate on a vision for XR world-making that celebrates unique worldviews, practices, and traditions.
FRI, NOV 14, 3:30PM–5PM | BACHIR YEREX PRESENTATION SPACE, 401 RICHMOND

WEE ASIAN
From sharing meals to counting planes and planting beans, these films lead us through stories of unexpected vulnerability, resilience, and companionship.

With free drop-in programming for all ages and all generations to come together, Wee Asian returns with free relaxed screenings accompanied by storytelling, arts activities, and play! More information on activities at reelasian.com/weeasian.

This year’s Wee Asian short film lineup includes:

BUGSICK – Canada
NIHAL’S GARDEN – Canada
I AM A FLOWER – Germany
SERENE HUES – Canada
FAMILY DINNER (家庭晚餐) – USA
A NIGHT AT THE REST AREA (パーキングエリアの夜) – Japan

REEL IDEAS
Reel Ideas presents a rich programme of conversations, panels, and networking sessions for filmmakers and artists at every stage of their careers. Go behind the scenes of projects like the workplace comedy 18 to 35 and Kid Koala’s animated feature Space Cadet, discovering the craft, creativity, and collaboration that bring these stories to life. Hear from experienced writers, animators, and filmmakers, and gain practical insights for advancing your career and developing your creative practice. Sessions also explore important topics such as accessibility, advocacy, and sustaining a creative practice.

From cheering on finalists in this year’s So You Think You Can Pitch? competition to participating in behind-the-scenes masterclasses, Reel Ideas is a space to connect, learn, and celebrate the many ways our communities create meaningful stories.

IMAA MINI-CONFERENCE
In collaboration with the Independent Media Arts Alliance, Reel Ideas will co-host a three-day mini-conference focused on artist advocacy, fair pay, and building an equitable arts ecosystem.

Tues, Nov 11 – 6:30PM | The Commons @ 401 Richmond
What’s Brewing Panel: A discussion on artist labour conditions and funding challenges, followed by a reception and mingling portion.

Wed, Nov 12 – 11:00AM | The Commons @ 401 Richmond
Fee Schedule & Resource Access Network Workshop: Practical guidance on compensation standards and navigating support systems.

All sessions aim to strengthen the skills and networks of arts administrators and cultural workers, offering tools to navigate an industry with systemic barriers while supporting underrepresented filmmakers.

SPACE CADET: ARTIST TALK WITH KID KOALA AND LILLIAN CHAN
Join us for an in-depth conversation about Space Cadet, a moving animated film that speaks volumes without a single word of dialogue. Director Kid Koala will share how a memory of watching Charlie Chaplin films with his grandmother became the north star that guided this deeply personal story. That early connection to silent cinema — bridging cultural and language barriers — inspired the creation of Space Cadet as a work of solace, imagination, and reflection.

Kid Koala and Lillian Chan, Space Cadet’s head of story and production designer, will discuss the journey from book to film, exploring how to translate vulnerability into craft — through storytelling, visual design, and music — and how to make authenticity come through in every frame. Together, they’ll reflect on how Space Cadet found its voice without dialogue, and how its journey reveals the power of art in connecting past, present, and future.
THURS, NOV 6 AT 2PM | CINECYCLE

IMPACT PRODUCING WITHOUT ACCESS: WHEN CRITICAL FILMS STRUGGLE TO FIND DISTRIBUTION
In partnership with the DOC Institute, Reel Ideas will host a panel as part of the speaker series Truth Matters – Critical Dialogue in a Post-Truth Era, supported by the Toronto Arts Council.

This panel will explore how racialized and independent creators bring their films to communities often excluded from mainstream distribution. The conversation will shed light on the barriers to access and the inventive strategies filmmakers use to ensure their stories are seen and heard. Whether you are a filmmaker, producer, or audience member interested in the future of documentary, this event will provide valuable insight into how stories find their way into the world.
TUES, NOV 11 AT 3PM | CINECYCLE

ACCESSIBILITY AND FESTIVALS: RETHINKING HOW WE ENGAGE AUDIENCES AND ARTISTS
Reel Ideas presents a panel featuring leaders from the Disability Screen Office, Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Disability Studies, and the Unify Deaf Film Festival. The discussion will explore how festivals can better support accessibility — from accommodating filmmakers with disabilities and reaching diverse audiences, to guiding creators on inclusive practices like budgeting for captioning. This session will offer practical strategies for making film culture more equitable and inclusive.
TUES, NOV 11 AT 4:30PM | THE COMMONS @ 401 RICHMOND

18 TO 35: BEHIND-THE-SCENES MASTERCLASS
Join us for a special presentation of 18 to 35, a bold new workplace comedy created by Rahul Chaturvedi and executive produced by Andrew Phung. Key collaborators will pull back the curtain on this homegrown production, crafted on a small budget but with big ambitions. They’ll share how the series moved from idea to pitch to screen, highlighting lessons in building a writers’ room, navigating production and post-production, giving attendees an end-to-end crash course on making a series.
WED, NOV 12 AT 6:30PM | CINECYCLE

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CAREERS IN SCREENWRITING
Reel Asian and the Writers Guild of Canada present a candid conversation on the pathways and pitfalls of building a sustainable career in screenwriting. With Asian Canadian writers at the forefront, this session will explore the realities of navigating writers’ rooms, landing representation, and making sense of the business side of TV and film.

Panellists will reflect on their own journeys — from making an impression to handling notes and rewrites — while demystifying the structures of television writing. Beyond the craft, this discussion will explore strategies for self-promotion, building meaningful industry relationships, and understanding what producers and commissioning editors are really looking for. The conversation will also address larger systemic barriers writers face, and how community and resilience play a vital role in sustaining long-term careers.
WED, NOV 12 AT 2:30PM | CINECYCLE

THE UNDERTONE: ARTIST TALK WITH DIRECTOR IAN TUASON AND OCADU PRESIDENT ANA SERRANO
Filmmaker Ian Tuason’s debut feature The Undertone, recently acquired by A24, transforms the intimacy of caregiving and the eerie power of audio into a chilling, single-location horror story. The film traces its origins from an experimental podcast idea. Drawing on his personal experiences and love of the genre, Tuason crafts a work that balances vulnerability, innovation, and fear.

Tuason will be joined by his former mentor, OCAD University president & vice-chancellor Ana Serrano, to reflect on the creative journey behind The Undertone. Together, they’ll explore the film’s evolution — from its early drafts to its visual and sonic design — while also discussing how collaboration, mentorship, and digital storytelling practices shaped Tuason’s approach. By examining how a deeply personal story can resonate with audiences and attract a major distributor, this session will offer insight into the intersections of craft, risk, and support systems in independent filmmaking.
FRI, NOV 14 AT 7:30PM | OCAD AUDITORIUM MCA 190

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH?
Join us for the live So You Think You Can Pitch? competition at the 29th Reel Asian Film Festival, where five emerging filmmaking teams will go head-to-head for a prize package to help bring their short films to life. Cheer the finalists on as they pitch their stories to a panel of distinguished jurors — and get a first look at the talented voices shaping the future of Asian Canadian cinema.
SAT, NOV 15 AT 7PM | ANNEX THEATRE

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About Reel Asian
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. As Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival, Reel Asian® provides a public forum for Asian media artists and their work, and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada. This year’s festival runs November 5–15, 2025 all over downtown Toronto and online across Canada, Nov 10–23, showcasing special projects featuring prominent artists, content creators, up-and-coming filmmakers and will also include the “Reel Ideas” program for creative minds in the industry to connect online. Works presented at Reel Asian include films, videos, and presentations by artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world. Reel Asian celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 and is generously supported by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Province of Ontario, and Government of Canada.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2024 REEL ASIAN WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s premier pan-Asian arts showcase, is pleased to announce that The Mother and the Bear directed by Johnny Ma won the RBC Best Canadian Film Award at the 2024 Festival. Also, WAShhh directed by Mickey Lai was awarded the Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Best Short Film Award. The Reel Asian Awards will be celebrated with an Awards brunch on Saturday, November 16, bringing together filmmakers, jury, and industry partners in attendance. The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival runs until November 24, 2024. To find more details, visit reelasian.com.

“It’s always been a great honour to share these captivating stories with Canadian audiences, and this year is no exception,” said Deanna Wong, Executive Director, Reel Asian. “Reel Asian gives us a platform to celebrate and highlight the rich perspectives of the Asian diaspora here and globally. Congratulations to all the filmmakers and creators involved with Reel Asian this year.”

The 2024 Features Jury includes filmmaker, film programmer and college professor Aisha Jamal, award-winning, multi-disciplinary performing artist, independent producer, and arts leader Alan Wong and documentary filmmaker and impact producer Chrisann Hessing. The 2024 Shorts Jury includes writer, director, and media educator Vince Ha, festival programmer and arts administrator, Lu Linares and vice-president of content at SAMANSA, Yunah Chung.

Reel Asian continues its commitment to supporting diverse voices with the annual Fire Horse Award, recognising an Asian Canadian in the media arts or screen-based industries who have dedicated their energy and talents to breaking down barriers, uplifting Asian Canadian communities, and sparking cultural change. Acclaimed actor and Fire Horse Award contributor Sandra Oh comments on the award’s importance, “This is part of our responsibility, which is to help pave the way and support our artists from the past and our artists into the future. Reel Asian is the place to do it”.

Reel Asian is currently accepting nominations for next year’s Fire Horse Award recipient. More details can be found here.

This year’s festival will conclude with the annual So You Think You Can Pitch? Live Finale on Saturday, November 23, hosted by award-winning actor, host and comedian Andrew Phung (Kim’s Convenience, Run the Burbs, Lucky Star). This lively event features five teams pitching their projects to a distinguished panel of jurors and a live audience, for a chance to win cash and industry prizes to support their film projects.

FULL LIST OF REEL ASIAN AWARD WINNERS FOR THE 28TH EDITION:

RBC Best Canadian Feature Film Award
The Mother and the Bear by Johnny Ma

Johnny Ma’s The Mother and the Bear is this year’s jury selection for the RBC Best Canadian Feature Film Award. A whimsical story of a Korean mother’s moments of revelation as she cares for her comatose daughter Sumi amidst the harsh beauty of a Winnipeg winter, this film was as entertaining to the jury as it was beautiful to look at. The jury was deeply moved by the film’s nuanced exploration of Sumi’s secret and veteran actor Kim Ho-Jung’s compelling portrayal of her mother.

Dipchand LLP Best Feature Film Award
Pierce by Nelicia Low

The jury is proud to recognise Pierce by Nelicia Low, for the Dipchand LLP Best Feature Award for 2024. A first feature by the Singaporean filmmaker, it seamlessly blends technical prowess with a great concept and story, with outstanding nuanced performances by the leads. This tense psychological drama keeps you guessing until the very end, taking the audience on a thrilling ride. The director’s deep knowledge of fencing was evident and she was able to make it very accessible and authentic. Overall, a highly enjoyable movie that is very deserving of this award.

The jury would like to give an Honourable Mention to Layla by Amrou Al-Kadhi. This courageous and bold film about queer identity and belonging showcases strong writing and overall filmmaking. Despite tackling a difficult topic, Layla does so with grace and beauty.

Directors Guild of Canada Best Direction in a Feature Film
His Father’s Son by Meelad Moaphi

The jury is proud to recognize Meelad Moaphi with the DGC’s Best Canadian Director Award for his first feature film, His Father’s Son. A lovely and delicate story about a guarded family secret that comes to light, the film’s sharp writing, consistent pacing, strong editing and great music, made His Father’s Son feel polished and elevated. Strong performances by the cast helped to effectively express this film’s touching message.

The jury also gives an Honourable Mention to Can I Get a Witness? by Ann Marie Fleming for a unique and poignant rumination on life, death and sustainability.

Osler Best First Feature Award
The Glassworker by Usman Riaz

The jury awards the Osler Best First Feature Award to The Glassworker, an ambitious, hand-drawn animated feature that follows Ali, who dreams of becoming a master glassblower in a war-torn land. With its themes of young love, war and following your passions amidst conflict, Ali’s story stayed with the jury long after the film ended. An impressive accomplishment that distinguishes itself within the body of work from a country not typically renowned for its animation.

The jury would also like to recognize Nikah with an Honourable Mention for its poignant and urgent story of Dilber, a young Uyghur woman who feels the pressure to find a husband for a safer future.

Reel Asian Best Documentary Award
ASHIMA by Kenji Tsukamoto

ASHIMA is an intimate family portrait that warmed our hearts. The complex dynamic between Ashima and her father is explored with gentle observation, and their tenacious dedication to achieving greatness is displayed with a powerful tenderness. For its compelling storytelling and reflection on family and fortitude, we are pleased to award the film with the Reel Asian Best Documentary Award.

Air Canada Short Film or Video Award
Me and My Teeth (dir. Anna Quon)
Monsoon Blue (dir. Jay Hiukit Wong and Ellis Kayin Chan)
Lola (dir. Grace Hanna)
Detours Ahead (dir. Esther Cheung)
The Popstar Water Deer and I (dir. Sasha Lee)

The five films honoured with this year’s Air Canada Short Film Award showcase the immense talent emerging in Canadian and global Asian cinema. This selection takes us on a journey through self-discovery, grief, love, and reclamation. From an intimate exploration of reclaiming control over one’s mind and body, a girl’s love for her grandmother defying reality, a self-conscious monsoon ready to let loose, a road trip marked by moments of beauty and pain, to a lonely soul seeking connection through their love for a popstar—these films capture the human experience and the complexities of simply being.

Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Best Short Film Award
WAShhh by Mickey Lai

The jury recognises WAShhh by Mickey Lai as the winner of the Wattpad WEBTOON Studios Best Short Film Award for its unflinching exploration of a little-known practice, highlighting prevailing taboos around womanhood that stand in stark contrast to a so-called ‘modern-day’ society.

Michael Fukushima AnimAsian Award (Supported by Sheridan College)
My Wonderful Life by Calleen Koh

For the Michael Fukushima AnimAsian Award, we selected My Wonderful Life by Calleen Koh for its bold defiance of expectations, using dark, at times, absurdist humour to unearth the pressures of motherhood. Through a textured and deeply personal exploration, the director offers a playful yet relatable narrative that poignantly reminds us to show kindness to our mothers.

We would also like to give an honourable mention to The Popstar Water Deer and I by Sasha Lee for its surreal and vivid visuals that capture a poignant sense of loneliness in a world that offers only fleeting glimpses of happiness. Through a caring and intimate lens, the film explores our own mortality while reminding us to chase what brings us joy. Lee’s work exemplifies the magic of animation as a storytelling medium where rules and limits are meant to be broken.

Directors Guild of Canada and WIFT+ Toronto Film Award
A Fermenting Woman by Priscilla Galvez

Priscilla Galvez’s directorial debut is a testament to the power of risk-taking and a commitment to bold narratives that invite audiences to embrace discomfort. Known for her work as a producer, Galvez delivers a captivating story and proves herself to be a natural-born director. The jury is thrilled to award the DGC Ontario and WIFT+ Toronto Award to A Fermenting Woman and looks forward to seeing more of Galvez’s work in the future.

Directors Guild of Canada Best Direction in a Short Film
Unblending by Michelle Ku

The jury recognizes Michelle Ku as the winner of the Directors Guild of Canada Best Direction in a Short Film award for Unblending and its delightful hand-painted animation that succinctly captures the myriad thoughts and colourful feelings that keep us awake at night, eventually lulling us to sleep as we come to embrace these sensations as our own.

Canadian Society of Cinematographers Best Cinematography Award
Reunion, Director of Photography Andrew Lee

The jury would like to present Andrew Lee of Reunion with the Best Canadian Cinematography Award. Told with outstanding discipline and visual acuity, this difficult subject matter was lensed with originality and craftsmanship. Its engaging framing injects a sense of unease and strangeness, supporting this powerful and original film.

We’d like to thank the filmmakers, cinematographers and crew who worked to make all these films a reality. In the end it was a tough decision, as there were many strong entries and beautiful works. We wish all the entrants luck and success in their future endeavours.

Honourable Mention: Benjamin Wong of Rosa’s Flowers The jury extends an honourable mention to Rosa’s Flowers for its daring, creative execution, filled with various looks, lensing and lighting design, deserving recognition and applause.

Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Short Film
Yên Sen in Lovin’ Her

For the Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Short Film Award, we selected Yên Sen of Lovin’ Her for their delicately interwoven portrayal of the main character, Ann Lai. Yên’s performance, infused with profound depth and compassion, evokes the possibilities and pluralities inherent in a single life. We would also like to extend an honourable mention to JueMeili Olaes and Micah Chu for their generous, collective presentation of a character, a person, who lingers in our minds long after the film concludes.

So You Think You Can Pitch? Awards:

The 2024 Pitch Jury will announce the winner of the Silver Prize Award and Gold Prize Award during the live event on November 23 from 5:00 pm. The Pitch Jury includes director/producer Amanda De Souza, filmmaker Meelad Moaphi and filmmaker Sami Khan.

Audience Choice Film Awards

The winners of the Blue Ant Media Audience Choice Feature Award and the BFL CANADA Audience Choice Short Film Award will be announced on Saturday November 23.

Click here for a list of 2024 Reel Asian Award Winners and for more information on the Festival, visit reelasian.com.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of government partners Telefilm Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Creates, and the City of Toronto; and the support of Premier Partners Crave and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada.

So thrilled to attend opening night festivities. Some highlights here, including Opening Night Gala, CAN I GET A WITNESS?

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#FIRSTLOOK: PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The 28th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s premiere pan-Asian festival, today announced its 2024 programming lineup. Opening the festival is Can I Get a Witness?, by veteran director and Reel Asian alum Ann Marie Fleming, and starring award-winning actor Sandra Oh. From November 13 to 24, 2024, the festival embraces diverse stories showcasing contemporary Asian cinema that bridge cultural divides and connect global communities.

This year’s lineup comprises 17 features and 49 shorts spanning all genres and ages from Canada, China, Indonesia, France, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For the first time, Reel Asian introduces Colliders, a new Shorts category in partnership with Indigenous storytellers from ImagineNATIVE. This new initiative invites audiences to explore the solidarity between Indigenous and settler Asian communities through storytelling dialogue.

Reel Asian will also present four innovative multimedia experiences through the RA:X programme and welcome several esteemed industry professionals for their Reel Ideas conference. For the full programming lineup and ticket information, visit reelasian.com.

“We are delighted to welcome audiences back to Reel Asian to celebrate the finest in global and homegrown Asian cinema from the diaspora across Canada,” said Deanna Wong, Executive Director of Reel Asian. “This year’s lineup is a testament to the exceptional talent our community brings to the industry, which grows stronger each year. We look forward to presenting these unique and captivating stories that will truly inspire and create deeper conversations in a safe and inclusive environment”.

Please see Reel Asian’s programming highlights below. For the full Festival programme and schedule, please visit reelasian.com or view the 2024 Programme Guide here.

FEATURES

[*] indicates expected attendance

CAN I GET A WITNESS (Opening Night)
Dir. Ann Marie Fleming * | Canada 2024 | 110 min. | English | AA
What would you give up to ensure a world with no war, no poverty, and a stable climate? Your phone? Your car? Your life? That’s the question that looms over Ann Marie Fleming’s near-future fable, where the solution to our world’s ills is for humans to die by their 50th year.

It’s not all doom and gloom. For teenage Kiah (Keira Jang), it’s her first day of work as a Documenter. Her world of peace in sun-soaked Powell River, B.C., is all she knows, and she’s getting trained by Daniel (Joel Oulette), a seasoned convener of death ceremonies. Meanwhile, Ellie (Sandra Oh) puts on a parent’s brave face for Kiah’s venture into adulthood while making her own empty-nest arrangements.
WED, NOV 13 • 7:00 PM • HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

PIERCE
Dir. Nelicia Low | Taiwan, Singapore, Poland 2024 | 104 min. | Mandarin | AA | Toronto Premiere
Trouble seems to follow Jie and his family. Training to be a competitive fencer, Jie is lost, haunted by the childhood memory of a near-drowning incident with his menacing older brother Han. Years later, a teenage Han is imprisoned after killing a competitor during a fencing match (by accident, he swears). Meanwhile, Jie’s mother has been spiteful and distant ever since, with no love to give her younger son. So when Han is finally released from prison, Jie is desperate to have some family love restored — and eager for some helpful fencing and boy-friend dating tips, too. But is Han’s reformed presence for real?
THURS, NOV 14 • 5:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

THE LAND OF MORNING CALM 아침바다 갈매기는
Dir. Park Ri-woong | South Korea 2024 | 114 min. | Korean | AA | International Premiere
Feeling stuck, young fisherman Yong-su sees no hope in his future – like a fish in a net. As a last resort, he plans an insurance scam by staging his disappearance, hoping to provide a better life for his Vietnamese wife and his ageing mother. At the centre of this scheme is his captain, Yeong-guk (Yoon Joo-sang), who reluctantly reports Yong-su missing. However, when Yong-su’s mother (Yang Hee-kyung) refuses to connect her son’s disappearance with his death, the white lie snowballs into something harder to chew.
THURS, NOV 14 • 8:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

BORROWED TIME 人海同游
Dir. Choy Ji | China 2023 | 93 min. | Cantonese | PG
While picking juicy lychees on an endless summer day, Ting is uneasy. She’s on the verge of marriage in her hometown in mainland China. Her father will not be there. He long ago left her and her mother to stay with his preferred family in Hong Kong — part of the legacy of men from the region who had extramarital affairs in China in the 1980s and ’90s. Before she ties the knot, Ting ventures to Hong Kong to find the father she’s never known. While on her journey, she finds she has other loose ends to tie up, too.
THURS, NOV 14 • 8:00 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

FRESH OFF MARKHAM 敗走麥城
Dir. Kurt Yuen, Cyrus Lo and Trevor Choi * | Canada 2024 | 83 min | English, Mandarin, Cantonese | AA
Shan, an immigrant from Dongbei, China, settles in Markham, Ont., a suburb known for its welcoming Chinese community. There, Kevin, a fellow Dongbei local, pulls him into a scheme to rob a Japanese restaurant stealing business from Chinese locals. After the heist goes horribly wrong, they delve into the streets of Markham in a series of chaotic episodes. Fresh Off Markham functions as a satirical anthology, highlighting experiences and dilemmas that some Chinese immigrants encounter amidst relocation.
FRI, NOV 15 • 5:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

BEN AND SUZANNE, A REUNION IN 4 PARTS
Dir. Shaun Seneviratne | USA 2024 | 110 min | English | AA
It’s the holidays, and Ben Santhanaraj shows up to Sri Lanka to see Suzanne Hopper, his long-distance partner who works there. Unfortunately, Suzanne’s been informed she now has to work through the holidays, thwarting their dream vacation plans (and his amorous intentions). They decide to go along with their itinerary, her laptop in tow, but nothing seems to work out as planned, leading to candid conversations and chaotic twists. Will their relationship endure — or have they grown too far apart?
FRI, NOV 15 • 5:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

LAYLA
Dir. Amrou Al-Kadhi | UK 2024 | 99 min. | English Arabic | AA
Layla is a struggling Palestinian drag queen who often finds creative ways to make ends meet, surrounded by a small, supportive group of close friends within the North London queer scene. A stuffy corporate event performance goes terribly wrong, making Layla and their outrageous antics go viral, and they meet the seemingly-dull-in-comparison marketing executive Max. Despite their very different worlds, a transformative love affair ensues, much to the annoyance of Layla’s close friends, who are highly sceptical of how healthy or affirming this relationship could possibly be.
FRI, NOV 15 • 8:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

EXCLUSION: UNRAVELLING A CENTURY OF SILENCE
Dir. Keira Loughran * | Canada 2024 | 85 min. | English, Cantonese, Toisanese | GA
In 1923, Canada passed the ironically named Chinese Immigration Act — better known as the Chinese Exclusion Act — which for the next 24 years barred virtually any Chinese person from entering the country. They were the first ethnic group to be singled out in this way.

In her directorial debut, award-winning actor and playwright Keira Loughran traces her family’s history to show the act’s devastating impact on the Chinese community, focusing on her grandmother, activist Jean Lumb, who was the first Chinese Canadian woman to receive the Order of Canada. Among the many incidents igniting Lumb’s activism was the shocking revocation of her Canadian citizenship when she married Loughran’s Chinese-born grandfather — a lesser-known requirement of the act.
SAT, NOV 16 • 12:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

THE MOTHER AND THE BEAR
Dir. Johnny Ma * | Canada, Chile 2024 | 100 min. | English, Korean | AA
After a mysterious encounter leaves her daughter Sumi in a coma, Sara rushes from South Korea to Winnipeg to be by her side. As Sumi heals, Sara begins to unpack details of her life that her daughter never shared with her. On a mission to find a husband to take care of Sumi when she wakes, Sara ventures into the daunting unknowns of dating apps and Winnipeg winters, and finds out more about herself than she planned.
SAT, NOV 16 • 2.30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

LUCKY STAR
Dir. Gillian McKercher * | Canada 2024 | 85 min. | English | PG | Toronto Premiere
Deep in debt, with a house and a university-bound kid, plus a marriage on the rocks, reformed gambler Lucky sees his luck run out after getting scammed in a tax-fraud scheme. Ashamed and desperate to keep it from his family, he returns to underground backroom gambling dens, playing for big payouts to relieve the debt and win back his family’s favour. Meanwhile, each family member, unaware of Lucky’s troubles but feeling the money crunch, too, resorts to unsavoury means to dig out of their hole.
SAT, NOV 16 • 5:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

THE DRAFT! SETAN ALAS!
Dir. Yusron Fuadi *| Indonesia 2024 | 84 min. | Indonesian | AA
Five oblivious youths, a video camera, a remote rundown villa, and a creepy caretaker. Doesn’t it sound like the perfect recipe for a horror film? A mysterious death that soon follows takes the story on a route beyond the fourth wall. The group finds out that they’re characters of a screenplay, and that their smarts will dictate their survival.
SAT, NOV 16 • 7:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

HOME COURT
Dir. Erica Tanamachi | USA 2024 | 98 min. | English | PG
At the heart of this captivating coming-of-age sports film is Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball marvel whose high school career we follow. Hailing from a lower-class immigrant family that sought safety in the U.S. after the Khmer Rouge came to power, Chea is given the opportunity to attend a private school and thus pursue a coveted college basketball career. While her parents work vigorously at their doughnut store and can’t attend her games, Chea bonds with her Japanese American coach, who helps her with doctor’s appointments and even attaining her driver’s licence.
SUN, NOV 17 • 10:00 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

THE GLASSWORKER
Dir. Usman Riaz * | Pakistan 2024 | 98 Min | Urdu | PG | Toronto Premiere
A young, gifted Vincent and his father Tomas run the finest glass workshop in the country, creating delicate, magnificent pieces of art. Their close bond is soon put to the test with the arrival of an army colonel and his young, aspiring violinist daughter Alliz, to their hometown. Amidst the rumblings of an impending war, Vincent and Alliz eventually fall in love, a relationship that is continually opposed and challenged by their fathers.
SUN, NOV 17 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

ASHIMA
Dir. Kenji Tsukamoto | USA 2023 | 86 min. | English, Japanese | GA
What does greatness look like? What does it take to be great? In the documentary Ashima, greatness looks like Ashima Shiraishi, a modest but determined 13-year-old Japanese American rock-climbing prodigy. For her demanding father, Hisatoshi, a former Butoh dancer and Ashima’s coach, greatness requires discipline and intense focus. Together, they’ve embarked to South Africa to climb Golden Shadow, a famous V14 boulder, for Ashima to become the youngest woman to ever climb it.
SUN, NOV 17 • 4:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

HIS FATHER’S SON (Centrepiece Gala Presentation)
Dir. Meelad Moaphi * | Canada 2024 | 79 Min | English, Farsi | PG | Toronto Premiere
Amir is an aspiring chef trying to get ahead, but he can’t seem to break out and meet his own expectations or those of his parents, while his favoured younger brother Mahyar can seemingly do no wrong. When news from Iran arrives that a family friend has died and passed his entire inheritance solely to Mahyar, the mystery of the gift’s provenance begins to unravel the family’s story, the image of their parents, and the relationship between the two brothers.
SUN, NOV 17 • 7:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

NOBUKO MIYAMOTO: A SONG IN MOVEMENT
Dir. Quyên Nguyen-Le & Tadashi Nakamura | USA 2024 | 60 Min | English| GA | Toronto Premiere
Through the lens of directors Tadashi Nakamura and Quyên Nguyen-Le, this compelling documentary captures the bold journey of visionary artist-activist Nobuko Miyamoto. From her upbringing in a Japanese American internment camp to her breakthrough as a performer in films and on Broadway, Miyamoto reflects on how her personal encounters with racial injustice inspired her blending of artistic endeavours with Asian American advocacy. Her thoughtfully created music, dances, and theatre productions carry on to bridge cultural divides and facilitate mutual support among BIPOC communities.
TUE, NOV 19 • 7:00 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

FILE NO. 2304
Dir. Alison S.M. Kobayashi * | Canada, USA 2024 | 5 Min | English | PG
After accessing the 119-page custodial file of her great-grandfather in the National Archives of Canada, Alison S.M. Kobayashi discovers new details about her Japanese family’s history and their lives before internment.
TUE, NOV 19 • 7:00 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

NIKAH
Dir. Mukaddas Mijit & Bastien Ehouzan | France 2023 | 55 Min | Uyghur | PG | Canadian Premiere
Dilber is 27 years old, preparing for her younger sister Rena’s wedding while contemplating her own future. Despite the recent nuptials in the family, their mother continues to put pressure on Dilber to find a husband soon, responding to the heightened anxiety during a time when Uyghur people are being arrested without process or reason. Dilber’s friend in Paris convinces her to marry a young Uyghur man in France, a proposition that feels very attractive. But will it work out
WED, NOV 20 • 7:00 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

SHORTS

This year’s Shorts programming includes:

LOVE ISLAND: Pulling you in closer, these films traverse the ebbs and flows of infatuation, fascination, longing, desire, and the release of letting go — all this to possibly feel our true selves more intimately.
FRI, NOV 15 • 8:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

AN UNFAMILIAR TALE: Family dynamics are complicated. No matter how intimately familiar kin can feel, there’s room for surprise to the point where we wonder if we even knew them at all. Which stories and emotions do we hold inside, and which are we ready to share?
SAT, NOV 16 • 12:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

UNSUNG VOICES 13: Six emerging filmmakers embarked on a summer-long filmmaking journey. We’re proud to present their world premiere here, in the 13th edition of Reel Asian’s filmmaking program.
SAT, NOV 16 • 2:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

COLLIDERS: This programme invites audiences into a storytelling dialogue between imagineNATIVE and Reel Asian on the solidarity between Indigenous and settler Asian people. Tenacious and confrontational, this collection transports resilience from the past and into the present.

Co-curator: Kaitlynn Tomaselli is Anishinaabe and Italian from Manitoulin Island. An emerging curator and arts administrator, she currently works for the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts
SAT, NOV 16 • 5:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

PUSHBACK: Trivial or not, these short films push and push … and push. Is it provocation, retaliation, or sheer determination? Regardless of the answer, how far might you be willing to go?
SAT, NOV 16 • 7:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

LOVE IS LOVE: The notion of love transcends you and me. It resides in the personal, the familial, the imaginary, and a nation.
SUN, NOV 17 • 1:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

UNDERCUR RENTS: Seemingly stagnant on the surface, in motion underneath. These five short films trace and retrace what movements and stories might exist within us and beyond, pulling us in unexpected directions.
SUN, NOV 17 • 4:00 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

RA:X

Storytelling beyond the screen. RA:X is Reel Asian’s programming section with interactive elements and innovative storytelling tools that seek to engage audiences in new and exciting ways.

RA:X SEN
Experience a poetic journey of connection and entanglement inspired by the philosophies of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Set in the famous Tai-An teahouse, SEN takes us from joy and wonder, through carelessness and confusion, to peace and renewal, in a lush, visual homage to the expansive emotional interior.

Hold a black raku tea bowl to wake Sen, the spirit of tea, and follow as it learns about itself, the world, and the relations that connect us all together.
NOV 14 – 24 • BACHIR YEREX PRESENTATION SPACE • RSVP AT REELASIAN.COM/RAX

PRESENTING SEN: IN CONVERSATION WITH SANA AKRAM
Join Sana Akram with Reel Asian programmer Aram Collier to talk about the work required to present SEN, the world of experiential media, and the impact of new media technologies in storytelling.
Speaker: Sana Akram
FRI, NOV 22 • 5:00 PM • 401 COMMONS

RA:X CREATURA INSTALLATION
We’re excited to be presenting at the festival an assortment of art pieces by Wenting Li, inspired by the wide repertoire of fantastical and strange beings that inhabit their portfolio.
THU, NOV 7, NOV 13 – 24 (NOV 18 CLOSED) • VARIOUS TIMES • 401 COMMONS

ARTIST TALK WITH WENTING LI
Join Wenting Li in conversation with Reel Asian programmer Jasmine Gui as they discuss the featured artwork, their artistic practice, and all things creature-related.
MON, NOV 22 • 6:30 PM • 401 COMMONS

WEE ASIAN

Loud and expressive, reflexive yet playful, this programme, in the spirit of Creatura, makes room for all our mushy and monstrous emotions. Come for the screening, stick around for the delightful arts activities for all ages to enjoy together!
SAT, NOV 23 • 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

This year’s Wee Asian short film lineup includes:

LOLA – USA
DANCING DHAMAAL! (DANCING FUNI) – USA
STARLING – USA
HU (후!) – South Korea
MINUS PLUS MULTIPLY – UK, Taiwan
LOOK – Canada
DETOURS AHEAD – Canada
UNBLENDING – Canada

REEL IDEAS

It’s no secret that filmmaking requires grit, stamina, and a whole lot of determination. Reel Ideas celebrates the behind- the-scenes perseverance that drives creators to follow their instincts and shape their stories.

This year’s Reel Ideas programme highlights the various roles integral to following the north star in one’s artistic vision. Amidst the chaos of creation, where things never quite go as planned, we hope you can find what it is you want to persevere towards, and trust that your story will eventually find its audience and community.

CAN I GET A WITNESS: ARTIST TALK WITH ANN MARIE FLEMING

Join us for an in-depth conversation about Ann Marie Fleming’s Can I Get A Witness?, Reel Asian’s opening night film this year. This thought-provoking movie examines a near-future society grappling with climate change, mortality, and the value of life. Fleming draws inspiration from her personal experiences, including her time in Vancouver’s West End and the environmental upheaval of Stanley Park.

What began as an absurdist satire has transformed into a poignant exploration of intergenerational responsibility and community resilience. In this talk, Fleming will share insights into her creative process, the film’s evolution from satire to heartfelt comedy, and the collaborative journey with a talented cast and crew, including Sandra Oh. Discover how Can I Get A Witness? invites us to reflect on what we’re willing to sacrifice for a sustainable future and the beauty of life itself.
Speaker: Ann Marie Fleming, Filmmaker
THURS, NOV 14 • 2.30 PM • FESTIVAL LOUNGE

FROM SHORT TO FEATURE: THE JOURNEY OF SHOOK BY AMAR WALA

Fresh off its world premiere at TIFF, Amar Wala’s Shook serves as an ideal case study for filmmakers, particularly those transitioning from shorts to feature films. Set in Scarborough, Ont., the film captures the area’s multicultural essence and reflects on identity, place, and personal growth through rich, site-specific details. This panel explores the complexities of film financing, distribution strategies, and the key decisions that shape a film’s journey from concept to completion. By examining Wala’s experience with Shook, we’ll shed light on how an honest love letter to a city and its diverse communities can be crafted, while successfully balancing complex personal narratives with broader cultural commentary.
Speaker: Amar Wala, Filmmaker
THURS, NOV 14 • 5:30 PM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

LATE BLOOMER: SCREENING & ARTIST TALK

Sit in on this exclusive screening and deep dive of Late Bloomer, the groundbreaking series from the creative mind of Jasmeet Raina (Jus Reign). Centred on Jasmeet Singh’s life, the show unpacks family expectations, intergenerational relationships, and racial identity in ways rarely seen on Canadian TV. We’ll screen Episode 1: “Nudes” and Episode 4: “The Turban”, offering a glimpse into Jasmeet’s complex journey as he navigates personal desires that go against familial pressures. Stick around to hear from the creative team about how Late Bloomer has landed in the community, and how it will continue to shape these conversations in real life.
Speaker: TBA
TUES NOV 17 • 10:00 AM • TIFF LIGHTBOX

CREATURA: A JOURNEY INTO THE UNFAMILIAR

This session will explore how these concepts manifest through stories of endangered traditions and reimagined realities. The documentary The Last of the Sea Women provides a vivid portrayal of South Korean fisherwomen preserving an ancient practice amidst modern developments. Meanwhile, Universal Language, set in a reimagined Canada where Farsi and French are official languages, presents a surreal world where societal norms are upended and loneliness is a common experience. Both films vividly embody the spirit of CREATURA by pushing the boundaries of human experience and challenging conventional perspectives.
Speakers: Iris Ng, Cinematographer (The Last of the Sea Women) and Ila Firouzabadi, Screenwriter (Universal Language)
WED, NOV 20 • 4:30 PM • YOUTUBE LIVE PANEL

SPACE CADET: BEHIND THE ANIMATION – WORK IN PROGRESS

Join us for an exclusive Work-In-Progress presentation of Space Cadet, a captivating animated film directed by Eric San (Kid Koala). Work-In- Progress events at Reel Asian give audience members a chance to explore the development stages of a piece of work. In this session, we will hear insights from the creative team of Space Cadet, including director Kid Koala, head of story and production designer Lillian Chan, and artistic director Corinne Merrell, who will guide us through the artistic process and illustrate how animation brings this heartfelt narrative to life.

Space Cadet tells the story of Robot, a guardian programmed to protect Celeste, the sweetest astronaut on this (or any) planet. When Celeste embarks on a solo mission into the vast unknown, Robot is left behind, grappling with loneliness and the passage of time. As Celeste faces unforeseen challenges in space, memories of her childhood with Robot resurface, revealing the deep emotional bond they share.

This tomorrow-days lullaby is not just about outer space adventures. It also delves into themes of ageing, destiny, and the significance of our memories.

Don’t miss this opportunity to travel the richly textured, imaginative world of Space Cadet and explore its journey.

Speakers: Director Eric San (Kid Koala), Head of Story and Production Designer Lillian Chan, Artistic Director Corinne Merrell and Producer, Les Films Outsiders Inc.
THU NOV 21 • 7.00 PM • HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? (Closing Night)

Join us for the live So You Think You Can Pitch competition at the 28th Reel Asian Film Festival! This is a fantastic opportunity to support emerging filmmakers as they showcase their projects to our distinguished jurors. Watch the five finalists compete for an incredible prize package to help launch or complete their films. Come cheer on the next generation of talent and get inspired by the future of Asian Canadian cinema!
SAT, NOV 23 • 5:00 PM • ANNEX THEATRE

Reel Asian 2024 Digital Programme Book here.

For more information, visit reelasian.com.

#FIRSTLOOK: PAUL WONG TO RECEIVE 2024 FIRE HORSE AWARD FROM TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is thrilled to reveal award-winning Interdisciplinary Visual and Media Artist Paul Wong as the recipient of this year’s 2024 Fire Horse Award. The award honours an Asian Canadian individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the film and media-arts community. In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, the third annual Awards Ceremony and Fundraiser for the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival will take place on May 23rd at the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto.

To purchase tickets, please visit: www.reelasian.com/fire-horse-event

The Fire Horse Award was introduced in 2021 to honour individuals who embody the spirit of originality, creative thinking, and visionary leadership. The award, named after festival founder Anita Lee, holds significant importance within the Asian Canadian film and media arts community and serves as a tribute to those who have made extraordinary contributions and left a lasting legacy.

This year’s Fire Horse Award Ceremony will be hosted by Canadian media darling, author, and Etalk senior correspondent, Lainey Lui, adding her signature flair and energy to the occasion.

The nomination for the 2024 Fire Horse Award comes from esteemed figures in the arts community, including Lisa Steele and Kim Tomzak, the recently retired founders of Vtape, and the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson.

“The jury is honoured to present the third annual Fire Horse Award to Vancouver artist Paul Wong, a bold pioneer in Canadian visual and media art. For fifty years and counting, Paul has been the creator of ground-breaking, large-scale public art installations that challenge stereotypes and our notions of belonging,” said the 2024 Fire Horse Award Jury Filmmaker/Academic Ali Kazimi, Filmmaker/Inaugural Fire Horse Award recipient Keith Lock and Journalist/Podcaster Hannah Sung. “Throughout his long career, he has modelled a commitment to building community and advocacy which has been influential on newer generations of media artists. We hope this award brings renewed attention to his entire body of work, especially to younger generations, given his career longevity and social impact. As a visual and media artist, storyteller, community-builder, advocate and curator, Paul fiercely embodies the qualities of the Fire Horse Award, as he dedicates his talent and energy to breaking down barriers, uplifting Asian Canadian communities and sparking cultural change.”

“In Paul Wong, the Fire Horse Award jury has chosen a one-of-a-kind artist whose work—which never shied away from exploring his queer, Asian and Canadian identities—has been recognized by his peers throughout his 50-year-plus career.” said Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival Executive Director Deanna Wong. “Considering also his tireless community work, activism and advocacy, Wong is truly the embodiment of this award and we can’t wait to present him with it this May.”

Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Paul Wong is a pioneering figure, known for his innovative work in visual and media art. With a career spanning over five decades, Wong has continuously pushed the boundaries of storytelling, working outside mainstream conventions. His illustrious career is marked by numerous accolades, including the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Art (2005) and the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Visual Arts (2016). In 2023, Wong received the Outstanding Artist Award from the Federation of Gay Games and was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD).

He recently completed a year-long residency titled 身在唐人街/OCCUPYING CHINATOWN. Inspired by hundreds of letters and familial artifacts of his late mother Suk Fong Wong. Wong created intimate exhibitions, public art pieces, artist talks, events, workshops, and the website www.occupyingchinatown.com.

The Fire Horse Award recognizes one Asian Canadian member of the film and media-arts community. This member demonstrates qualities of the Chinese zodiac symbol in their work: Fire Horses are changemakers, creative thinkers, and visionary leaders who significantly impact the larger community. The award was created on the occasion of Reel Asian’s 25th Anniversary in 2021 to honour Reel Asian founder Anita Lee, whose groundbreaking work and determination has made Reel Asian a staple in Canada’s festival landscape. Lee served at the National Film Board of Canada for 18 years, for the last 14 as Executive Producer, Ontario Centre, and was appointed as Toronto International Film Festival’s Chief Programming Officer in April 2022, a new position where she continues to carry on the spirit of the Fire Horse.

This year’s recipient will be awarded $25,000 in cash, of which Golden Globe Award Winning Canadian film and television star Sandra Oh has committed $50,000 over five years. This contribution matches a generous lead donation from donor Ha-kyung Helen Song. More recently, Pan Asia Food Co., Ltd. has also pledged $25,000 over the next five years to the award. The company has been serving the Korean community in Canada for over 50 years. Ongoing contributions from the Reel Asian community will ensure the sustainability of the award for years to come.

The recipient will also receive the Fire Horse Award sculpture designed by Toronto- based artist and curator Myung-Sun Kim. The award design, a floating, malleable form, evokes the relationship between body and memory, our familial and cultural inheritances across the diaspora.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is pleased to announce that its event sponsor for this year’s 2024 Fire Horse Award is Shaftesbury, an award-winning creator and producer of original content for television, film and digital.

“I’m thrilled to join Reel Asian in wholeheartedly supporting the Fire Horse Award,” said Sandra Oh. “By honouring trailblazers of the Asian Canadian media arts community, we are recognizing ourselves. It deeply matters who makes our images, and to these pioneers we owe a debt—and our promise to keep striving to tell our stories to the world. Let’s pause to celebrate those who blazed those trails—it’s beautiful and necessary.”

About Reel Asian

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. As Canada’s largest pan- Asian film festival, Reel Asian® provides a public forum for Asian media artists and their work and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada. Reel Asian will be showcasing special projects featuring prominent artists, content creators, up-and-coming filmmakers and will also include the “Reel Ideas” program for creative minds in the industry to connect online. Works presented at Reel Asian include films, videos, and other media artworks by Asian artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world.

#REELASIAN: 2023 REEL ASIAN AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Winners at the 2023 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival have been announced. The Festival, now in its 27th edition takes place through November 19, 2023.

RBC Best Canadian Feature Film Award
THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS by Fawzia Mirza

This audacious film takes us on a captivating joyride through Bollywood dreams, the swinging Karachi of the 60s via the generational conflicts within a contemporary Pakistani family. Full of theatrical flair, bold design, and a hint of camp The Queen of my Dreams marks the debut of a strong new voice, making Fawzia Mirza a filmmaker to keep a close eye on.

Osler Best Feature Film Award
TERRESTRIAL VERSES by Alireza Khatami & Ali Asgari

An uncomfortably captivating feature of revealing scenes between regular Tehranis and their frustrating interactions with oppressive authority figures. The jury recognizes the duo’s homage to classic Iranian cinema with performances so convincing one may mistake the film for a stylized documentary. The film’s austere form kept the jury riveted and is a challenge to audiences everywhere to consider personal agency in the face of tyrannical oppression.

Cinesend Best First Feature Award
Q by Jude Chehab

Chehab artfully blends home movies along with her striking cinematography to contemplate desire, spiritual longing, and family bonds. Resisting the urge to over-explain, her storytelling allows mystery to simmer, resulting in a complex, emotionally nuanced portrait. In honour of this bold new voice, the jury awards Jude Chehab’s Q the Best First Feature prize.

SHORTS AWARDS

Reel Asian Best International Short Film Award
默 (TO WRITE FROM MEMORY) by Emory Chao Johnson

The jury recognizes To Write From Memory by Emory Chao Johnson as the Winner of Reel Asian Best International Short Film Award in the spirit of enunciating the unspeakable feelings of a personal experience with unrelenting honesty.

National Film Board of Canada Best Emerging Canadian Short Film Award
ABBY by Fanny Lord-Bourcier

Drawing from the director’s personal journey, Abby is an animated short that offers a poignant exploration of the unspoken feelings of isolation experienced as a transracial adoptee, all expressed with a gentle and sincere voice.

Air Canada Short Film or Video Award
ADAGIO by Emma Zuck
JUNGLEFOWL by Kalainithan Kalaichelvan
SAWO MATANG by Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto
THE REPAIR SHOP (L’ATELIER) by Namaï Kham Po
UNIBROW by Nedda Sarshar
PIXELS OF THE ORIENT by Warren Chan

Each film is sharply unique thanks to each director’s distinct perspective, yet each delves into the universal complexities of connection and the struggles, fears, and hopes of being truly seen.

Michael Fukushima Animasian Award
THE SEA ON THE DAY WHEN THE MAGIC RETURNS (마법이 돌아오는 날의 바다) by Ji-won Han

This captivating short employs ingenious visuals to explore personal desires and the essence of the human experience. Its delicate storytelling and open vulnerability linger, leaving a lasting resonance.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER AWARDS

Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Feature Film
Amrit Kaur, The Queen of My Dreams

The jury was captivated by Amrit Kaur’s range of performance and her ability to embody two distinct women in one film, which is why we enthusiastically present her with Outstanding Performance in a Canadian Film in The Queen of My Dreams.

Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Short Film
Sherrylyn Vivero, APOY

Sherrylyn brought a special nuance to her performance as the main character’s mother, which made her incredibly engrossing to watch. The complex emotions she is able to convey in this charged piece showcases that she is truly a talent to watch.

Tickets here.

#REELASIAN: 2023 TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL KICKS-OFF

Now in its 27th edition, the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is back on today through November 19, 2023. The Festival features Pan-Asian talent in the Arts & Media through events and cinema.

This year’s Festival boasts 15 features and 57 shorts from Canada, India, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States. Programming targets all age groups, including young ones with their Wee Asian programme. Reel Asian will also present three thoughtful and creative multimedia experiences through their RA:X programme and welcome a number of esteemed industry professionals for their Reel Ideas conference.

Kicking-of the Festival this year is TIFF ’23 selection THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS by Director Fawzia Mirza, starring Amrit Kaur (The Sex Lives of College Girls) and Hamza Haq (Transplant). The Film will get national distribution early 2024 via Cineplex Pictures. It all ends on a high note with the SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH: Live Finale at CSI Annex.

Check-out this year’s programming schedule here.

Some highlights from Opening Night here:

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “WE WILL BE BRAVE” TO PREMIERE AT REEL ASIAN 2023

Following its world premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival, the feature-length documentary WE WILL BE BRAVE will be celebrating its hometown premiere at the 27th edition of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival on November 11, 2023.

Directed by Toronto’s Chrisann Hessing, the documentary follows the journey of Toronto’s “Good Guise” collective, who are committed to sparking conversations around healthy masculinity through art. From photography and beatboxing to poetry and martial arts, the artists in the collective share their unique lived experiences and welcome others to join in their mission of finding radical alternatives to shame and punishment. As each of them grapples with upheavals in their personal lives, their resolve is further tested by a dire lack of resources and the burden of racialized discrimination. WE WILL BE BRAVE is a story about personal evolution, healing and an unlikely brotherhood forged in vulnerability.

“We’re thrilled to bring the film to audiences in Toronto, where we shot the film and where the Good Guise are based,” said director Hessing. “We’re excited to contribute to the cultural conversations surrounding men’s mental health and raise awareness about the Good Guise collective and their important work.”

The film was produced by Tanya Hoshi and Chrisann Hessing with the support of Telefilm Canada’s Talent to Watch Program, Hot Docs Cross Currents Fund and the Indigenous Screen Office.

Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival tickets can be purchased at: https://www.reelasian.com/festival-events/we-will-be-brave/.
Learn more about the film by visiting www.wewillbebrave.ca or checking it out on Instagram and Facebook.

#REELASIAN: TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian), Canada’s premier pan-Asian festival, today announced its 2023 programming lineup, which will open with Canadian filmmaker Fawzia Mirza’s debut feature The Queen of My Dreams. From November 8 to 19, 2023, the Festival will take audiences on a cinematic journey, transcending borders and bringing the world closer together. This year’s lineup consists of 15 features and 57 shorts from Canada, India, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States. Reel Asian will also present three thoughtful and creative multimedia experiences through their RA:X programme and welcome a number of esteemed industry professionals for their Reel Ideas conference. For the full programming lineup and ticket information visit reelasian.com.

“The continued success and popularity of Asian cinema in Hollywood has brought our collective stories and experiences to the forefront, leading to significant growth in our community’s industry both abroad and in Canada,” said Deanna Wong, Executive Director, Reel Asian. “We’re so proud to welcome audiences back to the festival, which aims to bridge cultural divides, inspire meaningful conversations, and celebrate Asian voices. There is a need for our stories now more than ever and we hope to continue offering a bigger and better festival each year.”

Below highlights Reel Asian’s programming. For the full Festival programme and schedule, please visit reelasian.com or view the 2023 Programme Guide here.

FEATURES
[*] indicates expected attendance

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS (Opening Night)
Dir. Fawzia Mirza * | Canada 2023 | 97 min. | Urdu, English
When Azra, a queer Muslim grad student, hears of her father’s sudden death, she flies back to her ancestral home in Karachi, Pakistan for the funeral, where she is received by her conservative mother, Mariam, perpetually disappointed by Azra’s choices. As a self-assured Azra wrestles with Karachi’s customs and norms, we time travel back to Mariam’s own life in the city 30 years ago, a remarkably different era in Pakistan’s political and cultural history.
Official Selection at TIFF 2023
WED, NOV 8 • 7:30 PM • HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

THE TASTE OF MANGO
Dir. Chloe Abrahams | United Kingdom 2023 | 73 min. | English
Chloe Abrahams’ debut feature, is an enveloping, hypnotic, urgently personal meditation on family, memory, identity, violence, and love. At its centre are three extraordinary women: the director’s mother, Rozana; her grandmother, Jean; and the director herself. What emerges is a delicately layered, personal and collective portrait of coping with physical and sexual violence, the damage of grief and estrangement, and the possibilities of hope, joy, healing, and reconciliation.
THURS, NOV 9 • 5:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

OKIKU AND THE WORLD せかいのおきく
Dir. Junji Sakamoto 攫㘭朇㮼 | Japan 2023 | 90 min. | Japanese with English subtitles
Set near the end of the Edo period, the film presents a fresh take on the time and on samurai culture. Okiku (Haru Kuroki) is the daughter of a fallen samurai. The two of them now live in a tenement far from luxury. One day, she meets Chuji (Kanichiro) and love blooms. The problem is that Chuji is a manure man who collects excrement to sell to farmers. Despite the downfall of samurais, there is still a social gap between them.
THURS, NOV 9 • 8 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

SMALL FRY
Dir. Joongha Park * | South Korea 2023 | 95 min. | Korean with English subtitles
Ho-jun, a flailing actor, has found relative success as a social media influencer, hawking fishing hacks. He preps his live stream at his preferred fishing spot, only to be disrupted by an obnoxious stranger, Director Nam, a hotshot independent film director about to shoot his first feature. He’s invited rising actress Hee-jin for a quiet pondside chat to convince her that his film will be a star-making breakout role—only Hee-jin isn’t sure about Director Nam’s film, or his ulterior motives. As the day progresses, links between Ho-jun, Director Nam, and Hee-jin entwine and unravel to reveal each character’s ambition, pettiness, and pathos as they try to reel in their respective dreams.
FRI, NOV 10 • 5:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

IN FLAMES
Dir. Zarrar Kahn * | Canada, Pakistan 2023 | 98 min | Urdu with English subtitles
Mariam, a medical student, is dealing with her grandfather’s passing, her grieving mother, and preparing for upcoming exams. When an estranged and suspiciously helpful uncle re-enters their lives and promises support with their property and finances, Mariam senses trouble. At school, she meets a charming fellow student who presents a tempting option of marriage and financial security, a supposed avenue of freedom and autonomy. When Mariam begins to feel haunted by the presence of men around her and the spirits of those long gone, escape starts to seem elusive.
Official Selection at Cannes 2023 and TIFF 2023
FRI, NOV 10 • 8 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

RIVER リバー、流れないでよ
Dir. Junta Yamaguchi | Japan 2023 | 82 min. Japanese with English subtitles
From the team behind Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (Reel Asian Official Selection,2021) comes Junta Yamaguchi’s latest time loop comedy. Set in a quaint inn along the Kibune river near Kyoto, staff and guests find themselves stuck in a continuous two-minute time loop. Mikoto, a waitress, returns to the river bank after each loop, plunging into a relentless cycle of perplexing scenarios. Her coworkers, the cook, and the mystified guests all grapple with mounting confusion. Despair and disorientation engulf those at the inn, as the uncanny sensation of repeatedly returning to the same moment leads to a frantic quest for answers.
FRI, NOV 10 • 8 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

WE WILL BE BRAVE
Dir. Chrisann Hessing * | Canada 2023 | 78 min. | English
The Good Guise is an artist collective in Toronto formed to spark conversations around healthy masculinity. From photography and beat-boxing to poetry and martial arts, these talented artists share their unique lived experiences with inspiring confidence and welcome others to join in their mission of finding radical alternatives to shame and punishment. As each of them grapple with upheavals in their personal lives, their resolve is further tested by a dire lack of resources and the burden of racialized discrimination.
SAT, NOV 11 • 12 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

STARRING JERRY AS HIMSELF
Dir. Law Chen | USA 2023 | 75 min. | Mandarin, English
A genre-bending mystery that shakes up notions of traditional storytelling. Jerry Hsu is a loving father of three, a recent divorcé, and has been keeping a secret. The Taiwanese immigrant and Orlando resident has been accused by the Chinese police of being an accomplice in an international money-laundering scheme. In an effort to clear his name, Jerry agrees to help the police with busting the operation. Hiding his role in the investigation from his family, Jerry’s world begins to unravel with each step he takes deeper into the conspiracy.
SAT, NOV 11 • 2:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

Q
Dir. Jude Chehab * | USA, Lebanon 2023 | 93 min. | Arabic, English
Jude Chehab, a Lebanese American cinematographer and filmmaker, has always known her mother and grandmother to be women devoted to their Muslim faith. During a trip to Lebanon, Chehab is propelled by a curiosity to understand the quest for love, acceptance, and meaning that brought three generations of women in her family to pledge loyalty to a secretive matriarchal religious order operating clandestinely in the country.
Best New Documentary Director Award, Tribeca Film Festival 2023
SAT, NOV 11 • 5 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

TIGER STRIPES
Dir. Amanda Nell Eu | Malaysia 2023 | 95 min. | Malay with English subtitles
Free-spirited 12-year-old Zaffan is the first of her friends to get her period and experience the body-changing horrors that come with puberty and menstruation. Set in a kampong, or a Malaysian village, structured around patriarchy and religious expectations, she tries to conceal her pubescent traits out of fear of ostracization. Panic spreads in the village when a monster or demonic spirit is rumoured to be roaming the surrounding jungle. Exposed by her peers, Zaffan eventually learns to embrace herself in the face of exclusion and cultural condemnation.
Critics’ Week Grand Prize, Cannes 2023
Selected to represent Malaysia at the 96th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category
SAT, NOV 11 • 7:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

TERRESTRIAL VERSES
Dir. Alireza Khatami * and Ali Asgari | Iran 2023 | 77 min. | Persian with English subtitles
A job interview, a children’s clothing store, a government registry office. These are just some of the everyday sites for which the characters of Terrestrial Verses must navigate cultural, religious, and institutional constraints imposed on them. Featuring dynamic and fine-tuned performances, the 11 vignettes with conversations (and confrontations) between onscreen citizens and o!screen interrogators are striking in their ability to feel absurd and regrettably real at the same time, a place where the mundane and the menace coexist. Through these stories, we see how citizens respond to and resist these restraints until the final vignette’s staggering conclusion.
Official Selection at Cannes 2023, Un Certain Regard
SUN, NOV 12 • 2:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

SEAGRASS
Dir. Meredith Hama-Brown * | Canada 2023 | 115 min. | English
Judith, a Japanese Canadian woman, and her reluctant white husband attend a week-long couple’s retreat on a coastal British Columbia island, their two daughters in tow. With Judith grieving the recent loss of her mother and her connection to her Japanese Canadian identity, the couple’s disconnect grows as she finds herself infatuated with another, seemingly perfect, interracial couple at the retreat. The parents’ rift impresses upon their daughters, as Emmy, the fearful younger sister, becomes increasingly anxious, while the eldest, Stephanie, cautiously navigates the preteen social dynamics of day camp.
FIPRESCI Prize, TIFF 2023
SUN, NOV 12 • 5 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

MUSTACHE
Dir. Imran J. Khan * | USA 2023 | 83 min. | Urdu, English
When 13-year-old Ilyas’s parents yank him out of his comfortable Islamic private school and force him to adjust to life in public school, he develops a plan to change their minds. After a staged fondness for non-halal food and explicit music fails to sufficiently scandalize his parents, Ilyas asks his whip-smart former classmate, Yasmeen, to help devise a more foolproof plan. However, underneath those faux concerns, what really preoccupies prepubescent Ilyas is his wispy, dark mustache growing much sooner than that of his peers, prompting a self-loathing born and reinforced by the taunting and teasing of classmates.
Audience Award, Narrative Feature, SXSW 2023
SUN, NOV 12 • 7:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

RELICS OF LOVE AND WAR
Dir. Keith Lock * | Canada 2023 | 40 min. | English
The venerated Chinese Canadian filmmaker Keith Lock narrates the story of how his mother married his father in Australia, who was training with other Chinese Canadian veteran volunteers for the top secret suicide mission, Operation Oblivion. This incredible story is set against the backdrop of the Second World War, a time when Chinese Canadians could not vote, swim in pools, or hire white women for their businesses.
TUES, NOV 14 • 7 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

BABY QUEEN
Dir. Lei Yuan Bin | Singapore 2023 | 62 min. | Mandarin, Malay, Teochew, English
A tender and joyful relationship between Singaporean drag queen Opera Tang and her 90-year-old grandmother, who makes many of her performance costumes. The film follows the rhythm of Opera Tang’s day-to-day activities and conversations with chosen family, loved ones, and community, capturing the struggles and joys of being queer through the quiet notation of the personal.
WED, NOV 15 • 7 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

SHORTS
This year’s Shorts programming includes:

S-EXPRESS MALAYSIA: MADE BY MALAYSIA: Initiated in 2002, S-Express has become an annual showcase from Southeast Asia. This year, Reel Asian presents S-Express Malaysia, programmed by Chong Lee Yow of Mini Film Festival, featuring five films depicting one’s ability to (un)trap themselves from limitations set upon them, be it bodily, mind, or soul, to achieve relief and victory. FRI, NOV 10 • 5:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

LET’S BE FRIENDS: These shorts look at the soft to even slightly off-kilter bonds we find in one another, the realms we exist in, and ultimately, ourselves, despite ongoing change—no friendship bracelets required. SAT, NOV 11 • 12 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

UNSUNG VOICES 12: Six fearless emerging filmmakers embarked on a summer-long filmmaking journey online. Reel Asian is proud to present their world premiere here in the 12th edition of Reel Asian’s filmmaking program. SAT, NOV 11 • 2:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

EMERGENCE: There’s no need to be certain about what’s next as this collection of shorts places us in a position to face specific pivotal moments of reckoning. Whether feeling stuck or turbulent in the chaos of transition, can we remain gentle to ourselves? SAT, NOV 11 • 5 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

UNDER THE INFLUENCE: More to the situation than what it seems, these shorts choose to examine, tease, and redefine the forces that pull us to make a decision. SAT, NOV 11 • 7:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

HERE WE ARE: With societal, political, and magical forces at play beyond our control, this programme brings together a variety of filmmaking approaches to reflect on what can remain in troubling times, and along with it, agency to construct the narrative. SUN, NOV 12 • 2:30 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX

THE STRANGE, THE ODD AND THE FAMILIAR: Hmm … this doesn’t seem right?! This programme asks us to sit with the discomforting feelings that arise when we begin to confront the unknown in what we believe to know. SUN, NOV 12 • 5 PM • TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX
RA:X
Storytelling beyond the screen. RA:X is Reel Asian’s programming section with interactive elements and innovative storytelling tools that seek to engage audiences in new and exciting ways. All exhibitions and accompanying events are free.

MULTIMEDIA EXHIBITION AND PROGRAM – PIGEONHOLE
Visit the Pigeonhole, nest and rest from the festival chaos, listen to collaborative pigeon music, watch raw footage, compose your own ditties, and collage a flock of desired futures together with other attendees. This immersive multimedia installation is inspired by artist Emmie Tsumura’s evolving relationship with a motley crew of pigeons who visit her kitchen windowsill to eat snacks and hang out on toy keyboards. NOV 8–19, BACHIR/YEREX PRESENTATION SPACE, 401 RICHMOND ST, 4TH FLOOR, VARIOUS TIMES

INTERACTIVE WALK AND TALK – EIGHTY THOUSAND STEPS
As a child, Crystal Chan loved when her “Pawpaw” (“grandmother” in Chinese) shared life lessons through fables as the two took walks together. Now Crystal realizes Pawpaw was sharing her journey as a child refugee, hiding tragedy behind adventure. Listeners gradually learn about the heartbreaking contrast between real violence and a child’s interpretation of it. As the listener walks to the store or through a park, they’re forced to examine their steps and stories next to a refugee’s. THURS, NOV 16, THE COMMONS AT 401 RICHMOND ST, 4TH FLOOR, VARIOUS TIMES

MINI SYMPOSIUM AND EXHIBITION – THE SARI-SARI XCHANGE
A project that seeks to amplify Asian representation in the creative emerging media industries in Canada, particularly through a community-building residency program that engages artists with digital and extended reality (XR) technologies. There will be a mini-symposium in the morning around issues and accessibility of XR technology, and a public exhibition of works-in-progress will follow in the afternoon. FRI, NOV 17, THE COMMONS AT 401 RICHMOND ST, 4TH FLOOR, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

CANADIAN SPOTLIGHT – FIRST FILMS
In the inaugural First Films event, three award-winning Asian Canadian filmmakers will present and discuss the first films they’ve ever made. The program celebrates their earnest creation, irrational confidence, and the miracle of early- (or pre-)career filmmaking. FRI, NOV 17 • 7 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

HERE I AM, Dir. Sami Khan, 2010, 10 min.
Sami Khan’s most recent film The Last Out, co-directed with Michael Gassert, won the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Business and Economics Documentary.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, Dir. Renuka Jeyapalan, 1999, 5 min.
Renuka Jeyapalan’s debut short Big Girl won the TIFF 2005 Best Canadian Short Film Award and she also directed episodes of Kim’s Convenience, Workin’ Moms, Murdoch Mysteries, Ginny and Georgia, among others. Renuka’s acclaimed feature Stay the Night screened at 2022 Reel Asian.

HACKING ‘TIL MY LEGS FALL OFF, Dir. Joyce Wong, 2004, 8 min.
Joyce Wong’s directing credits include the popular shows Workin’ Moms, Baroness von Sketch, and Run the Burbs and she directed the critically acclaimed feature Wexford Plaza (2016).

WEE ASIAN
Free selection of wholesome shorts for all ages and generations to come together, in a relaxed drop-in screening environment. Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in fun and simple art activities post-screening. SAT, NOV 18 • 10:30 AM – 3 PM • INNIS TOWN HALL

This year’s Wee Asian short film lineup includes:
MON AMI – Canada
EID MUBARAK – USA, Pakistan
GORO GORO – USA
HI ADING – Canada
EVERYWHERE – Hong Kong
SPIRIT OF THE FOREST – India
THE OLD YOUNG CROW (今昔カラス) – Japan
HAIR UNIVERSE (ݚܵசڿਅફ) – South Korea
DANCE ON! NONOKO! – USA, Taiwan

REEL IDEAS
The Reel Ideas conference unites industry professionals, including screenwriters, producers, filmmakers, and performers, to engage in candid discussions about the challenges and successes of starting from scratch, all while drawing inspiration from our roots. Paving a new pathway for today’s storytellers and advocates, celebrating their contributions and giving them their well-deserved recognition.

This year, Reel Ideas presents From the Ground Up, learning from our origins, creative journeys, and the path to forging unique trajectories.

HOW TO FAIL AS A POPSTAR: THE CLUMSY ART OF FINDING YOURSELF (screening and panel)
Discover the comedically honest and heartwarming story of the CBC Gem original short-form series How to Fail as a Popstar. Unravel the creative evolution of the series, which was adapted from Vivek Shraya’s hit play and subsequent book, tracing its journey from page to stage to screen. Vivek and the creative team will join for an insightful conversation about adapting for film, the realities of the music industry, and the power of one’s intersecting identities.
Panelists: Vivek Shraya (creator/artist), Vanessa Matsui (director), Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves (actor)
THURS, NOV 16 • 7 PM • HOT DOCS TED ROGERS CINEMA

JOURNEY BACK: EXPLORING ORIGIN IN FILMMAKING AND CREATING CHARACTER OUT OF “HOME”
There is a profound connection filmmakers forge when revisiting their roots through a cinematic lens. This in-depth conversation explores how filmmakers turn places into their own dynamic character, and unpacks the emotive pull of returning, despite its tensions and contradictions.
Panelists: Fawzia Mirza (director/writer), Zarrar Kahn (director/screenwriter)
THURS, NOV 9 • 2:30 PM • FESTIVAL LOUNGE (401 RICHMOND ST W SUITE 440)

BUILDING FORCES: THE DIRECTOR PRODUCER RELATIONSHIP
The producer/director relationship is a partnership constantly in flux. What is required for these roles to work harmoniously? Panelists will explore the vital but tumultuous collaboration behind every successful film.
TUES NOV 14 • 1 PM • FESTIVAL LOUNGE (401 RICHMOND ST W SUITE 440)

TO THE WRITERS’ ROOM: CANADIAN TV WRITERS ON CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION AND RESISTING TOKENISM (Online YouTube Live Roundtable)
Step into the thrilling world of TV writing as talented writers share their insights into crafting a successful series, advancing careers in the writers’ room, and promoting diversity in showrunning. Explore their creative processes, approach to pitching, and how they navigate tokenism and stereotypes while fostering collaborative writers’ rooms.
Panelists: Rob Michaels (writer/director/comedian), Léa Geronimo (writer/director), additional TBA
WED, NOV 15 • 4:30 PM • ONLINE YOUTUBE LIVE ROUNDTABLE

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH?
A fun and exciting way to support emerging filmmakers, as the five finalists pitch their projects to esteemed jurors for a chance to win an amazing prize package toward kick-starting or finishing their film. Cheer on a new generation of filmmakers, and let the future of Asian Canadian cinema inspire!
SUN, NOV 19 • 5 PM • CSI ANNEX

For more information, visit reelasian.com.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of government partners Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Province of Ontario, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Creates, and Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund; and the support of Premier Partners Crave and Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada.

About Reel Asian
The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. As Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival, Reel Asian® provides a public forum for Asian media artists and their work, and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada. This year’s festival runs November 8–19, 2023, showcasing special projects featuring prominent artists, content creators, up-and-coming filmmakers and will also include the “Reel Ideas” program for creative minds in the industry to connect online. Works presented at Reel Asian include films, videos, and presentations by artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world.

#REELASIAN: 2022 TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Last night, the winners of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival (Reel Asian) were revealed at the digital awards ceremony. This year, Canada’s leading pan-Asian film festival returned with a hybrid in-person and virtual format and included programming available across Canada. Co-host of CTV’s The Social, Etalk co-anchor, and founder of LaineyGossip.com, Lainey Lui hosted the online awards ceremony, revealing the winners for the juried features and shorts prizes. The ceremony also included performances by local Toronto artists Sakako and Ley Vara. The Festival which opened on November 9 and runs until November 20 is screening 77 films from regions including Canada, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. Tickets for online screenings and other events — including the closing night live musical presentation of Canadian Spotlight artist Romeo Candido’s web series Topline at Isabel Bader Theatre — are still available at reelasian.com.

“Every year we’re enamoured by the diverse stories being told and our 26th hybrid-edition is no different,” said Deanna Wong, Executive Director, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. “It’s undeniable that this year’s jury chose films that are exceptional, showcased a range of styles and highlighted timely subjects that reflect perspectives across the Asian diaspora.”

Feature films honoured include the Opening Night film Riceboy Sleeps, which won the Reel Asian Best Canadian Feature Film Award; winner of the Reel Asian Best Documentary Award, The Grizzlie Truth; and the CineSend Best First Feature Award, presented to Bad Axe.

Independent juries comprised of distinguished creatives, filmmakers and industry professionals selected this year’s award winners.

Features Jury: Ada Tseng, Sami Khan, Aashna Thakkar

Shorts Jury: Micah Kernan, Kim Sun-woo, Chris Chong Chan Fui

2022 Reel Asian Award Winners

Air Canada Short Film or Video Award:

All short films and videos are eligible for this prize and will have the opportunity to broadcast on Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment screens on all Air Canada flights. ​​The jury selected four films for this year’s Air Canada Short Film award, highlighting a great mix of perspectives and styles. All films showcase the reality of unsettled moments in life, while leaning into humour, beauty and the resilience of relationships.

Everything will be All Right (Farhad Pakdel, Canada)
Jury statement: This short film did a great job of capturing the moments at the start of COVID, when so much felt uncertain. Farhad was able to seize a moment in time that reflected the unknown.

Desi Standard Time Travel (Kashif Pasta, Canada)
Jury statement: This film was so heartwarming. It really allows an audience a moment to reflect on family and how at the end of the day we are all doing the best we can.

Further & Further Away (Polen Ly, Cambodia)
Jury statement: Further & Further Away is such a unique look at the struggle of needing to leave a place you are comfortable with, but it can be made easier with the thoughts of what are truly important in life.

Madhu (Tanmay Chowdhary & Tanvi Chowdhary, India)
Jury statement: Madhu, dir. Tanmay and Tanvi Chowdhary, is filled with vivid colours and unique shots. It captures a beautiful moment in time showcasing two young women enjoying themselves.

Michael Fukushima AnimAsian Award:
All animated works are eligible for a $600 cash prize.

To Kill the Birds and the Bees (Calleen Koh, Singapore)
Jury statement: For the Michael Fukushima AnimAsian Award, the jury selected To Kill the Birds and the Bees directed by Calleen Koh. This film tackled the way gender cultures and norms are viewed by various generations and delivers a strong message that navigates the conflict caused by differences in thoughts. The film’s tempo and witty comedic elements intensified the film’s intent and left a lasting impression on the jury.

Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Feature and Short Film:
The award recipients will receive full class tuition coverage of a class at Armstrong Acting Studios. $2,250 value.

Feature winner – Riceboy Sleeps (Actor, Ethan Hwang)
Jury statement: For his role in Riceboy Sleeps, Ethan Hwang receives the Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Feature Film. Hwang’s riveting performance as Dong-Hyun marks the arrival of one of North America’s most promising young actors.

Shorts winner – Knots (Actor, Kim Villagante a.k.a “Kimmortal”)
Jury statement: For the Armstrong Acting Studios Outstanding Performer in a Canadian Short Film Award, the jury selected Kim “Kimmortal” Villagante in Knots. We were very impressed by Kim’s performance in this film, in the way they brilliantly played the main character who struggles with various external factors. In particular, we noted the change in emotional performance in the final scene by Kim was outstanding.

DGC Ontario and WIFT Toronto Film Award:
All films made by female-identified Ontario-based artists are eligible to receive a $1,000 cash prize. $500 in programming gift certificates and two one-year memberships to WIFT Toronto.

Wherever you are, Wherever I am (Kay Chan, Canada)
Jury statement: The jury would like to present the DGC Ontario and WIFT-T Film Award to Wherever You Are, Wherever I Am by director Kay Chan. Chan’s poetics in the spoken word and visual expression of their cross-cultural ancestry sets new perspectives that live within our skin and thrive upon the lands that define us. A lyrical film that crafts a simple sentiment into a grand movement of compassion.

Nathalie Younglai Award:
All Canadian short filmmakers over the age of 40 with fewer than two writer/director credits (film OR television) in the last five years are eligible for a $2,500 cash prize.

Winner – Natalie Pelletier
Jury statement: Congratulations to Natalie Pelletier, an Indigenous middle school teacher who went back to school for filmmaking and is writing her first drama pilot about an Indigenous woman who helps others while being haunted by an evil ghost from residential school. We admire Natalie’s courage and making such a drastic career change to pursue her dreams, the strength of her vision, and I believe her pilot can get her into writing rooms which embodies what this award is about.

National Film Board of Canada Best Canadian Short Film Award:
All short works made by emerging Canadian artists (with credits fewer than four films) are eligible for this prize of post-production services. $5,000 value.

majboor-e-mamool (Haaris Qadri, Canada)
Jury statement: The winner of the NFB Best Canada Short Film Award is majboor-e-mamool by director Haaris Qadri. Director Qadri took great care and attention in a simple trip to the doctor. The duty of a daughter to her mother reveals a delicate balance of resistance, authority, and unconditional care. With an outstanding mature performance by the lead performer, the film handles the eternal and universal story between mother and daughter with great warmth and subtlety.

Honourable mention – Tehura (Wei Li, Canada, French Polynesia)
Jury statement: The jury would also like to give an honourable mention to the debut short film animation Tehura by director Wei Li for the film’s powerful and cutting take on the colonial gaze.

Reel Asian Best Documentary Award:
All documentary films are eligible for this $1,500 cash prize, donated by Karla Bobadilla, Diang-Yee Iu, Immanuel Lanzaderas, Sonia Sakamoto-Jog, and Victoria Shen.

The Grizzlie Truth (Kat Jayme, Canada)
Jury Statement: This year’s Reel Asian Best Documentary Award goes to The Grizzlie Truth from filmmaker and superfan – Kat Jayme. In this expertly crafted, engaging and delightful documentary, we follow Kat’s journey to discover the truth behind why her beloved NBA basketball team, the Grizzlies, were moved from Vancouver to Memphis. Featuring candid interviews with players, team owners, coaches, and fans, she leaves no stone unturned in her search for answers. But the real revelation is Vancouver’s continuing emotional connection to the sports team and the community of fans which endures. Sports have the power to inspire and unite, to uplift and heartbreak. The Grizzlies were a way for Kat to connect with her family, with her roots in Canada and the Philippines. We applaud her positive, heartwarming, and authentic portrayal of Asians finding connection and community through sports.

CineSend Best First Feature Award:
All first feature films are eligible for this award: $500 cash prize and CineSend Files Team Annual Plan (valued at $4,500)

Bad Axe (David Siev, USA)
Jury statement: The jury awards the CineSend Best First Feature to Bad Axe. In this personal documentary, director David Siev turns the camera on his family in rural Michigan during the pandemic, as the adult children come back to their hometown to help their parents with their family restaurant. Siev courageously and delicately documents each family member’s vulnerabilities, and captures the complex emotions that arise from generational trauma and the racial tensions that are exacerbated during this time.

Osler Best Feature Award:
All feature works are eligible for a $2,000 cash prize.

Free Chol Soo Lee (Eugene Yi & Julie Ha, USA)
Jury statement: The jury awards the Osler Best Feature Film Award to Julie Ha and Eugene Yi’s Free Chol Soo Lee, a moving and brilliantly constructed documentary that sheds light on a pivotal moment in American history and offers us all urgent lessons on how to navigate our fraught present. Relying on exhaustive research, stellar editing, and deep empathy, Ha and Yi’s film provides not just compelling historical and social insight, but a profound and ultimately tragic portrait of an Asian-American icon. Free Chol Soo Lee is an absolute must-see film for Asian-Americans, Asian-Canadians, and everyone who is interested in understanding the full cost of fighting injustice.

Reel Asian Best Canadian Feature Film Award:
All Canadian feature films are eligible for a $1,000 cash prize.

Riceboy Sleeps (Anthony Shim, Canada)
Jury statement: This beautifully crafted film highlights the need for community and familial connection. From its heartrending script, its haunting cinematography, and an incredible cast of actors – this film is a clear standout in Canadian cinema this year. Through its genuine reflection of an immigrant single mother and the growing pains of her son as a second generation Korean in Canada, this film attempts to heal the wounds of loss and grief between loved ones. The recipient of the Reel Asian Best Canadian Feature Film Award goes to Anthony Shim’s Riceboy Sleeps.

Honourable mention – Big Fight in Little Chinatown (Karen Cho, Canada)
Jury statement: We’d also like to give an honourable mention to Big Fight in Little Chinatown directed by Karen Cho. This urgent story of gentrification, racism, and the importance of maintaining family legacies dove deep into some of North America’s most overlooked cultural hubs. Through the many deeply personal stories told, this film helps paint a fuller picture of how Chinese communities in the diaspora have taken control over their narrative through organizing and activism.

Blue Ant Media Audience Choice Feature Film Award
The winner of the Reel Asian Audience Award—Feature is selected through a tally of votes from the viewers of the 26th edition Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. $2,500 cash prize.

Reel Asian Audience Choice Short Film Award
The winner of the Reel Asian Audience Award—Short Film is selected through a tally of votes from the viewers of the 26th edition Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. $500 cash prize.

(Both awards will be announced on Reel Asian’s social media at the end of Festival.)

The 2022 Reel Asian Awards Ceremony can be watched here.

#FIRSTLOOK: 2022 TORONTO REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The 2022 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival kicked-off tonight with Opening Night Gala RICEBOY SLEEPS starting things on a high note. The acclaimed Feature from Vancouver’s Anthony Shim recently won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, and also nabbed the Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival shortly after. The Film was followed by a Q&A with Shim and its stars Choi Seung-yoon and Ethan Hwang, and it centers on a mother and son who immigrate from South Korea to Canada, facing hardships here as a rift grows between them.

A Reception was held at the Annex Hotel prior to the Premiere, with notable guests in attendance including Shim, Choi and Hwang. The Festival, now in its 26th edition, is comprised of Symposiums, Features, Shorts and the opportunity for Filmmakers to pitch.

Others in attendance were:

A Reel of highlights:

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A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong)

The 2022 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival goes through November 20, 2022 in-person and online. More here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)