F E S T I VA L GUIDE
24TH ANNUAL
ONLINE OCT 31 – NOV 8, 2020
WHAT’S YOUR
20?
@ VA F F VA N CO U V E R # VA F F # VA F F V I RT UA L T I C K E TS AVA I L A B L E AT VA F F.O R G
CANADIAN FILMS
TELEFILM.CA/EN/SEEITALL
TAB L E O F CO NT E N TS ABOUT VAFF
FESTIVAL & TICKETING INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–5
VAFF is the longest running Asian film festival in Canada. It was founded in 1995 and debuted in September 1997. Since then, tens of thousands of film lovers have experienced a diverse selection of North American-Asian and international films.
VENUE MAPS & LEGEND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 WELCOME LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7 SPECIAL GREETINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–9
Each year VAFF attracts close to 5,000 audience members over its four-day festival and year round events. It also reaches many more through word of mouth, pre-festival events, and traditional and social media throughout the year.
SPOTLIGHT FILMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–15 The Closet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ketchup & Soya Sauce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secret Zoo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Little Miss Period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Donut King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beyond the Dream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 11 12 13 14 . 15
VAFF is entirely organized and produced by a group of dedicated volunteers, and is made possible by generous financial support from corporate sponsors, public funders, and private donors.
NARRATIVE FEATURES SERIES. . 16–18
VISION
White Elephant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Gyopo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Where We Belong. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
VAFF envisions a world where North American Asian actors and filmmakers have the resources and opportunities to shape mainstream culture in a powerful and positive way.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURES SERIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19–20
MISSION
First Vote. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Curtain Up! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CANADIAN SHORTS SERIES . . . . 21–26 MAMM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dirty Laundry, Small Bites, Wish You Were Here, Srikandi, Luz, Thin Lines
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Life & Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
22–23
In Loving Memory, Serious Lees, Laura, And Now This?, Songbird
Deep in Your Mind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Nene, Christopher Kim, Cacti and Weed, The Star of Therapy, Deeper I Go
Docs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Ikebana, A-Yi, We the West, Hayashi Studio
INTERNATIONAL SHORTS . . . . . 28–30
VAFF is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the diversity and depth of Asian culture and identity in film and media, and to help North American Asian actors and filmmakers more authentically and more powerfully define and express themselves on screen. Through its annual film festival and many other programs and events hosted in Vancouver, VAFF’s mission is to engage in, support and amplify Asian presence in film and television.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Vancouver Asian Film Festival takes place upon the unceded ancestral territory of the Coast Salish Nations, of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. We are honoured to share the stories and experiences of our filmmakers upon this land.
Out of the Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Make A Wish, The Cloud Is Still There, CHEN CHEN, Felt Love, Daffodil
Crossroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Ruwatan, Under the Flag, To Borrow, To Keep, American Bodies, Evan at the Crack of Dawn, BASURERO
Spotlight on South Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Mothering, Lookalike( )_22yo_Koreancollegegirl. avi, Before The Summer Passes, We Bloom
CREDITS WHAT’S YOUR 20? THEME CONCEPT created by Vincent Wong, Past Creative Director VISUAL WORK designed by Loucia Ho, Marketing Director
AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Beatrice Armstrong, Gillian Lo
ELIMIN8HATE UPDATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 PANELS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35–38 Elevating Underrepresented Voices in Film, Television and Media • Model Minority Myth on Film • Who wants to be a talent to watch? • What’s the Secret to Becoming a DGC Director?
A YEAR IN REVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39–40 VAFF TEAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 - 43 INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 - 45 FESTIVAL SPONSORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
IMAGE CREDITS VAFF BRAND AMBASSADORS Jenny Lee-Gilmore Moheb Jindran Nikki Chohan PHOTOGRAPHER Good Side Photo - Ryan Wagner CREATIVE RETOUCHING Cake Imagery - Kevin Lanthier Ritaanisimova | Dreamstime.com
FESTIVAL & TICKETING INFO ABOUT THE 24 TH ANNUAL VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL (VAFF 2020) Due to the global pandemic, VAFF is celebrating its 24th annual festival virtually this year with an extended festival from October 31 to November 8, 2020. This year’s theme, “What’s Your 20?”, is the radio code widely used in the film industry that means “where are you?” or “what’s your location?”. In the year 2020, we play on the numbers to pose this question, which can be interpreted physically, intellectually and philosophically. No one could have predicted the unprecedented global transformation that 2020 would bring. This year, we zoom in on the filmmaker’s psyche, and explore the monumental impact of global change on storytellers of Asian heritage, and the issues that matter to them. We are delighted to have Jenny Lee-Gilmore, Moheb Jindran and Nikki Chohan, three very talented AsianCanadian actors, as the 24th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival Brand Ambassadors. Through film, they unveil their perspectives on the ongoing global crisis and social movements and help us answer the question, “What’s Your 20?” Our program and ticket information are available online at VAFF.ORG from October 5 until November 8, 2020.
PRICING & TICKETING VAFF IN THEATRE OPENING NIGHT FILM............................................................................ $15 Location: Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas Limited tickets are available for in-theatre assigned seating Students 18+ and includes VAFF2020 Membership*
VAFF LIVE VIRTUAL SCREENINGS OPENING NIGHT FILM (per eTicket)...............................................................$10
VAFF 2020 PROGRAM SERIES VAFF’s screening programs are organized into various series in order to better highlight the content of our festival: Spotlight Features Narrative Features Documentary Features
VAFF ON DEMAND
Shorts
ALL ACCESS E-PASS
Panels & Special Events
(per pass)......................................................................$50
Includes all Virtual Programming
OPENING FILM (per eTicket)..............................................................................$10 CLOSING FILM (per eTicket)..............................................................................$10 OTHER SPOTLIGHT FILM PROGRAMS (per rental per film/program).......$10 FEATURE FILM & SHORTS PROGRAMS (per rental per film/program)....$5 VAFF INDUSTRY INSIGHT & ELIMIN8HATE PANEL SERIES...........FREE FILMMAKERS TALK SPECIAL EVENTS....................................................FREE All VAFF ON DEMAND rentals are available throughout the entire duration of the festival, but once unlocked for viewing, you only have 24 hours to watch the film program. Accessible by viewers anywhere in CANADA. Bonus Features: Many VAFF On Demand Features and Shorts Programs will include pre-recorded Filmmakers Talk. *All in theatre screenings, live streaming screenings, on demand screenings include VAFF Membership. *VAFF MEMBERSHIP: Membership is included with all passes and tickets. Membership fee is waived. As many of the films have not been previously classified by Consumer Protection BC, under BC law, only members of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival Society (VAFF) can attend the Film Festival and members must be 18 years or older. Membership is non-transferable. Please email boxoffice@vaff.org to inquire about tickets and pass details. NO REFUNDS & EXCHANGES OR RUSH TICKETS
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F E S T I VA L I N F O
W P EN
VENUE & PARKING INFO In Theatre screenings take place at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, 3rd floor, 88 West Pender Street, Vancouver. The theatre is half a block away from the Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain station. See translink.ca for a full list of bus routes & schedules.
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FREE PARKING UNDERGROUND – MORE DETAILS AT PAY STATION.
FESTIVAL CONTACT INFO
STA D I U M- C H I N ATOW N S KY TR A I N STATI O N
EMAIL: info@vaff.org @VAFFVANCOUVER • #VAFF • #VAFFVIRTUAL ALL DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT VAFF.ORG FOR THE LATEST DETAILS.
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IN THEATRE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL https://festival.vaff.org/2020/health-and-safety/
HALF PAGE AD CBC VANCOUVER
WITH
MICHELLE ELIOT WEEKDAYS NOON PT AND 1PM MT
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
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WELCOME LETTERS
BARBARA LEE
When people say “life is stranger than fiction”, they must have been speaking about 2020. The year started with the Best Picture Academy Award win for Bong Joon Ho’s PARASITE, making it the first non-English-language film to do so in the ceremony’s history. Asian Canadians took to social media to explain what it meant to them to see themselves be finally represented and to be recognized on this world stage after being erased or marginalized for so long by mainstream media.
However, this celebration did not last long as the Coronavirus soon gripped the world in a pandemic and the Asian Canadian community was once again the scapegoat for this “Yellow Peril”. In response to the rise in anti-Asian racist attacks, VAFF launched the Elimin8hate Campaign to support the victims and to speak out against these attacks. VAFF’s core belief is that representation is the most effective tool to combat racism. Canadians of Asian heritage need to be seen and heard and our stories need to be reclaimed and told with authentic voices. We need to stand together in solidarity with Black, Indigenous and other communities of colour and resist being pitted against one another. We all deserve our own seats at the table and more must be done to provide funding and opportunities to underrepresented voices.
Festival Founder and Board President
During these challenging times, VAFF, like many other film festivals, has had to pivot to a virtual edition. Many thanks to the VAFF Executives and Volunteers that work tirelessly to make sure all our programs and panels run smoothly in this “new” normal. We are also grateful to all our sponsors for their continued support in all the ways they are able. Finally, I must also give a special THANK YOU to Lynne Lee, VAFF’s Festival Director, and Regina Leung, VAFF’s PR Director and Sponsorship Relations, for their many years of passionate dedication to the festival and year round events. As VAFF’s programs are expanding rapidly, we are truly fortunate to have them both at VAFF. Please also join me in giving a warm welcome to our incoming Festival Director, Susan Hanson, who I am confident will do amazing work. By sharing our stories, we hope you come to understand that they are not just Asian stories, but human stories, and that we are all truly in this world together. Next year VAFF will be celebrating 25 years and we are planning many exciting events – Covid or no Covid – so please continue to check our website for details. In the meantime, enjoy this year’s selection of films, and I look forward to when we can all gather safely in person in theatres again. Until then, please stay safe and healthy. Barbara Lee Founder and President
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WELCOME LETTERS Welcome to the 24th annual celebration of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and a brand new way of experiencing a #vaffvirtual festival! Our theme this year “What’s Your 20?” seems more relevant than ever. We are in the midst of a global crisis; a social transformation, and cultural awakening as artists, storytellers, and fellow humans. During these difficult and uncertain times, we strived to continue bringing the community together; fostering new filmmakers, showcasing Pan Asian and Pan Asian diaspora LYNNE LEE talent and voices, and just have some fun. That’s why we Festival Director replaced our usual Diversity in Filmmaking Day with Virtual Panels over 6 week-ends in the summer. We made our annual MAMM15 Gala into a Virtual Watch Party with surprise live in-person award presentations. For the Festival, we are supporting our long-time partner, Cineplex Odeon, and opening the festival with a fun Halloween screening for those who want to celebrate safely. We’re also taking advantage of what the virtual world can bring by letting you enjoy our roster of films for a full week at your own time, and coming together to meet filmmakers and industry professional from around the word live every night. Our wide range of genres, from horror to comedy, and Spotlight films making their North American debuts, will certainly inspire and entertain you. I couldn’t be prouder of what my team of volunteers has accomplished in growing the festival and adapting to change. As I end my term as Festival Director, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone on the Exec team, old and new, and to the Board for their support and trust in me. I leave assured that I am passing the baton to capable hands, and very excited for the future of VAFF. Enjoy the festival and see you online!
SUSAN HANSON Festival Director Elect
As a naturalized Canadian citizen who immigrated to Canada at the age of 7, when differences were not readily accepted and the requirement to assimilate was expected, feeling a sense of self as an Asian was challenging. I was conflicted due to the reminder by my family of my Korean heritage, coupled with my own desire to be accepted into my new surroundings. Growing up in this environment and having children of mixed heritage, I had firsthand experience with overt forms of discrimination. This experience was not unique; these were issues faced by many Asians, as Asian-Canadian representation was minimal in Canada.
Although there have been changes over the decades, we still have a long way to go. Through organizations such as VAFF, an association that advocates positive Asian representation through media arts, gifted Asian writers, film makers and entertainers have been provided a platform to showcase diversity through the eye of the camera lens, while offering an opportunity to witness the talent so many Asians possess and the rich diversity they bring to the arts community. As a member of the entertainment industry, I am excited to become part of the VAFF family and look forward to becoming a part of the positive change.
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
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SPECIAL GREETINGS
SPECIAL GREETINGS
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA JUSTIN TRUDEAU It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to the 24th Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). As the oldest Asian film festival in Canada, VAFF has played an important role in highlighting Asian identity and culture in film. Although this year’s festival will be virtual and different from previous years, it still holds the same significance and meaning by promoting diversity of ideas and inspiring audiences. I hope you all have the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the wonderful films that are being showcased. The COVID-19 pandemic has made planning and hosting events like this especially difficult, and I would like to thank the dedicated organizers and volunteers at VAFF for making this event possible. Please accept my warmest welcome and best wishes for a successful and memorable film festival.
A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR KENNEDY STEWART November, 2019
On behalf of the City of Vancouver and my colleagues on City Council, I want to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 24th Anniversary of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival A Message from the Mayor(VAFF). Due to the global pandemic, VAFF is celebrating its 24th annual festival virtually this year with an
extended festival October 31st to November 8th, 2020. The Vancouver Asian Film Festival On behalf of the City of Vancouver and my colleagues on City Council, I wantfrom to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 23rd of the organization Vancouver is a Anniversary not-for-profit that endeavours to provide a cultural bridge between the Asian Asian Film Festival (VAFF).
and non-Asian communities and the Asian communities themselves. The Festival will highlight the
unique and that creative film to talents of emerging and established Asian Canadian and Asian American The Vancouver Asian Film Festival is a not-for-profit organization endeavours provide a cultural bridge between the Asian and non-Asian communities and the Asian writers, producers, and directors by providing a venue to showcase their works. communities themselves. The Festival will highlight the unique and creative film talents of emerging and established Asian Canadian Asian American writers,in the film and TV industry, VAFF is an important event that brings As aand city with deep roots producers, and directors by providing a venue to showcase their works. together international and local industry professionals, strengthening Vancouver as a destination
forVAFF filmis and TV production As a city with deep roots in the film and TV industry, an important event that in North America. brings together international and local industry professionals, strengthening Vancouver Thank you and congratulations to the filmmakers, as a destination for film and TV production in North America. artists, organizers, and volunteers for another
Thank you and congratulations to the filmmakers, artists, organizers, and volunteers successful year of VAFF! for another successful year of VAFF! Sincerely,
Mayor Kennedy Stewart
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The Honourable Yonah Martin
L’honorable Yonah Martin
SPECIAL GREETINGS October 2019
A MESSAGE FROM HONOURABLE YONAH MARTIN A MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE YONAH MARTIN IWarmest am honoured to to extend myinmost sincere greetings to all those in attendance at the annual greetings all those attendance at the annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). We can all find hope and inspiration in taking part in this virtual festival in the midst of these challenging and unprecedented times.
Since its debut in 1997, VAFF has successfully provided a platform for international and
On behalf of the Senate of Canada, commend VAFF yearsToday, of excellence and support to national filmmakers to showcase their I creative works and24talent. the Festival international andofnational filmmakers to share theirenthusiasts artistic talents; to create a bridge between attracts thousands independent filmmakers and movie in support of cultural diversity, and authentic storytelling in festival. CanadianAs cinema. Asian andrepresentation non-Asian communities through the Canada’s oldest Asian film festival, VAFF has attracted over thousands of people each year who share a passion for culture and I commend Lynne Lee and the VAFF Board of Directors for their leadership and film.
dedication. I would also like to acknowledge all the directors, writers, actors and crew for
your commitment artistic excellence; and for all the volunteers, sponsors and donorsto forthe mission of Sincere thanks totothe Board of Directors their leadership and dedication your invaluable contributions. VAFF. I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate all the directors, writers, actors and crew for their commitment to artistic excellence. On behalf of the Senate of Canada, best wishes on another memorable and inspiring
Best wishes for a wonderful virtual festival and continued success in the future! Festival. Sincerely, Sincerely,
The Hon. Yonah Martin Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
A MESSAGE FROM PREM GILL, CEO, CREATIVE BC
Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 | martin@sen.parl.gc.ca
Congratulations on 24 years from Creative BC! We are pleased to support Vancouver Asian Film Festival, an advocate of Asian communities and creatives. Creative BC is devoted to uniting and championing diversity, inclusion and the success of B.C.’s creative industries at home and beyond. We are proud to support the oldest festival devoted to representation of domestic and international Asian filmmakers, both in front of and behind the camera. Furthermore, we commend VAFF’s leadership of the Elimin8Hate campaign including a mechanism for the safe reporting of anti-Asian racist incidents, consolidation of accessible and supportive public resources, and data insights for actionable change. Our sincerest congratulations to the team and volunteers at VAFF for their ongoing commitment to the celebration of storytelling and to Asian participation and representation in B.C.’S dynamic film festival culture. Especially this year, we thank VAFF for their resiliency in pivoting to draw us together—both online for this year’s festival, and as an engaged community that stands up for inclusion and accountability.
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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SPOTLIGHT SERIES: OPENING FILM
IN–T H E AT RE S C RE E NING
T H E C LOS E T
C I NE P LE X O D E O N I NT E R N ATI O N A L V I L L AG E C I N E M AS
L IV E
SAT O C T 3 1 , 7 PM
V AF F ON DE MAND
KWANG-BIN KIM
After the death of her mother, Ina feels neglected by her busy father, Sang-won. However, Ina finds comfort from strange noises coming from the closet in her room, and then mysteriously disappears without a trace. While searching for her, Sang-won meets the enigmatic Kyunghoon who claims he can help find Ina. Director KIM KWANG-BIN began his career by making short films MODERN FAMILY (2011) and HOW TO PICK A LOCK (2016). THE CLOSET marks his feature directorial debut.
AVAI LA B LE B E T WE E N NOV 1 – N OV 8
north american premiere
97 minutes • Korean, English subtitles • Korea • 2020 • Horror / Mystery
DIRECTOR Kim Kwang Bin
CAST Ha Jung-woo Kim Nam-gil Heo Yul
PRODUCERS Jeong Won-chan WRITER Kim Kwang-bin CINEMATOGRAPHER Choi Chan-min
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
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C A N A D I A N S P O T L I G H T F E AT U R E
KETCH UP & SOYA SA U C E
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
ZHIMIN HU
A documentary revealing the nuances of mixed relationships between first-generation Chinese and Canadians, while exploring historical taboos and the criminalization of interracial relations in Canada. The film follows 5 couples in different age groups as they contend with communication challenges, relationships with extended family, differing food habits, financial conflict, interpretation of intimacy, and how their relationships were shaped by the history of mixed relationships in Canada since the 1930’s. Born and raised in GuangZhou, China and now based in Toronto, ZHIMIN HU is a ChineseCanadian independent filmmaker. Her works include SOPHIE’S LETTER, A COLD SUMMER NIGHT, and I’M WAITING FOR MAMA, which have won acclaim at international and local film festivals.
63 minutes English, Mandarin • Canada • 2019 • Documentary
DIRECTOR ZhiMin Hu PRODUCERS ZhiMin Hu WRITER ZhiMin Hu & David Soucy
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
north american premiere
CINEMATOGRAPHER Michel Desilets Guillaume Meloche Frederic Segard Alain Bisson Dominic Dutil ZhiMin Hu David Soucy
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
S U N NOV 1, 7P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q &A
CAST Verma Demerson ZhiMei Zhang Nicole Dessureault Stannie Wang Steve Sholzberg Gerald Lemelin Ryan Liu Flavia Fu Luc-Eric Rousseau Xingyu Chen Roxane Richer Lussier
I N T E R N AT I O N A L S P O T L I G H T
SECR ET ZOO
L IV E
N /A
V AF F ON DE MAND
JAE-GON SON
One day, Kang Tae-soo, a probationary employee at a high-powered law firm, saves President Hwang from a protest. After that, President Hwang appoints Kang as the new Director of Dongsan Park Zoo with one catch: if Kang can get the zoo operating within three months, he can have a permanent job at the law firm. However, Dongsan Park is already in such financial trouble that most of the animals have been sold. With the help of the leftover employees of Dongsan Park, Kang thinks of a daring, ambitious, and hilarious plan to save the zoo. Born in 1972, SON JAE-GON graduated from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Hankyeoreh Film School. Son's first feature, THE MAN WHO SAW TOO MUCH, debuted at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2000. Following after, he has directed: MY SCARY GIRL, VILLAIN AND WIDOW, and SECRET ZOO.
AVAI L A B LE B E T WE E N NOV 1 – N OV 8
canadian premiere
118 minutes • Korea • 2020 • Korean, English subtitles • Comedy
DIRECTOR Jae-gon Son
CAST Ahn Jae-hong Kang So-ra Park Young-kyu Kim Sung-oh Jeon Yeo-been
PRODUCERS Jung Hyun-joo Kim Sung-hwan Park Hyun-tae Shin Hye-yeun Ko Dae-seok WRITER Son Jae-gon, Lee Yongjae, Kim Dae-woo CINEMATOGRAPHER Lee Seung-hun
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S P O T L I G H T
L IT TLE M I SS P E RI O D
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
SHUNSUKE SHINADA
While no one looks forward to “Little Miss Period” coming around and wreaking havoc, there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s got a friendly side too, and plenty of life lessons to impart. This adaptation of Ken Koyama’s Little Miss Period combines episodic shorts into a fulllength film with the hilarity to blow those monthly pains away – and deliver vital messages to both women and men alike. Since 2005, SHUNSUKE SHINADA has directed popular dramas including: DEAR MAMA and HEARTBROKEN CHOCOLATIER. In addition to being a creative force on the airwaves, Shinada has also directed web series SUMA DORA and SCUM'S WISH for Fuji Television On Demand (FOD). LITTLE MISS PERIOD is his debut film.
SAT NOV 7, 7P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q &A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
75 minutes • 2019 • Japan • Japanese, English subtitles • Drama
DIRECTOR Shunsuke Shinada
CAST Fumi Nikaido
PRODUCERS Naoto Inaba WRITER Shunsuke Shinada CINEMATOGRAPHER Masaya Suzuki
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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D O C U M E N TA R Y S P O T L I G H T
TH E D O N UT K I N G
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
ALICE GU
Ted’s story is one of fate, love, survival, hard knocks, and redemption. It’s the rags-to-riches story of a refugee escaping Cambodia and arriving in America in 1975, who went on to build an unlikely multi-million-dollar empire baking America’s favorite pastry, the donut. Ted sponsored hundreds of visas for incoming refugees and helped them get on their feet, teaching them the ways of the donut business. By 1979 he was living the American Dream. But, as always in life, great rises can come with great falls. ALICE GU, an award-winning director, began her career as a DOP, working with renowned directors such as Werner Herzog, Stacy Peralta, and Rory Kennedy. THE DONUT KING, her feature directorial debut, won the SXSW Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Documentary Storytelling and the Grand Jury Prize at Bentonville FF.
T H U NOV 5 , 5 PM F I L MMA K E R S TA LK + Q &A AVAI L ABLE B E TWE E N NOV 1–N OV 8
vancouver premiere
99 minutes • 2020 • USA • English • Documentary Drama
DIRECTOR Alice Gu
CAST Ted Ngoy
PRODUCERS Jose I. Nuñez Farhad Amid Tom Moran WRITER Alice Gu CINEMATOGRAPHER Alice Gu
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
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SPOTLIGHT SERIES: CLOSING FILM
B E YOND T HE D RE A M
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
KIWI CHOW KWUN-WAI
Lok is a recovering schizophrenic who yearns for love. One day, he encounters the young and beautiful Yan, and quickly falls in love with her. Just when he is struggling to tell her about his illness, he has a relapse and becomes delusional. Little does he know that she is a psychological counselor with a hidden agenda. The pair develops a relationship that is beyond their wildest dreams. KIWI CHOW graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) with a masters in filmmaking. In 2015, he co-directed the internationally acclaimed and controversial anthology film TEN YEARS, in which he helmed the ‘self-immolator’ segment. The film was crowned Best Film at the 35th Hong Kong Film Awards.
S U N NOV 8 , 6 P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q &A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
canadian premiere
119 minutes • 2020• Hong Kong • Cantonese, Traditional Chinese / English subtitles • Drama, Romance
DIRECTOR Kiwi Chow
CAST Lau Chun Him Cecilia Choi
WRITERS Kiwi Chow Felix Tsang PRODUCERS Winnie Tsang Andrew Choi Kiwi Chow Felix Tsang CINEMATOGRAPHER Szeto Yat Lui
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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N A R R AT I V E F E AT U R E S S E R I E S
WH I T E E L E PHAN T
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
ANDREW CHUNG
It's 1996. Pooja is a teenage girl with a crush on a white boy, just like the ones in the movies she loves. But having grown up in a mostly Black and Brown neighbourhood, there is a hostile cultural divide between their friends. But, this isn't a love story – this is a self-love story.
ANDREW CHUNG is a Writer/Director based in Toronto. His short films, LOVEBITES, SLEEPWALK, and MA, have screened internationally with Cannes, Air Canada and CBC. His digital series, MILLIONS, won him Best Director at the Marseille Web Fest in France. WHITE ELEPHANT is his first feature. For select works, visit thisisandrewc.com.
N /A AVAI L AB LE B E TWE E N NOV 1–N OV 8
vancouver premiere
61 minutes • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
DIRECTOR Andrew Chung PRODUCERS Andrew Chung Christopher Nguyen WRITER Andrew Chung CINEMATOGRAPHER Dave Lam
CAST Zaarin Bushra Gurleen Singh Dulmika Kevin Hapuarachchi Jesse Nasmith Amanda Catibog Yahya Amin Kumar Kapasi Kalyna Fisher Riley James Myers
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
16
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N A R R AT I V E F E AT U R E S S E R I E S
GYO PO
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
SAMUEL KIEHOON LEE
Several interweaving stories about an eclectic mix of English-speaking Korean expats living in Seoul. Shot with no script and no crew, and starring a cast of 50 characters, GYOPO is an energetic and inventive portrait of people who find themselves immersed in, but apart from, Korean culture.
After 12 years in Seoul, SAMUEL KIEHOON LEE has returned home to Toronto to attend the York MFA film program. His previous works include the award winning HOW TO MAKE KIMCHI: ACCORDING TO MY KUN-UMMA. He continues to hone his craft through music videos, experimental works and immersive VR.
N /A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
vancouver premiere
97 minutes • 2019 • Canada • English & Korean (English subtitles) • Drama
DIRECTOR Samuel Kiehoon Lee PRODUCERS Laura Perlmutter Eun-young Jung WRITER Samuel Kiehoon Lee CINEMATOGRAPHER Samuel Kiehoon Lee
CAST Bobby Choy Sally Yoo Paul Hwangbo Nikki Webster Kevin Kim Young Joo Lee Jake Kwon Chloe Lee Samuel Kiehoon Lee Eun-Young Jeong Seung-Hyun Chong Haeryun Kang
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
17
N A R R AT I V E F E AT U R E S S E R I E S
WH E RE W E BE LON G
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
KONGDEJ JATURANRASMEE
It is Sue’s final moments in her small hometown in Chanthaburi province. She’s going to continue her studies in Finland through a scholarship she applied to by herself without telling her father, sparking anger and silence from him. She’s never been abroad before and doesn’t know how and what to pack. How many things will be enough to bring to her new life? What do they not have there? What can she find there? Unconsciously, in every piece of luggage, people take their livelihoods with them. Some bring a lot; some bring very little. Some things have to be thrown away, while other things have to be kept. Thus, Sue makes a checklist of all the things she has to prepare before she leaves. Belle, her best friend, accompanies her on this project. Through this checklist, Sue—the struggling girl who wants to escape, and Belle—the girl who may stay put for the rest of her life, wander around on a motorbike through the nooks and crannies of the town, meeting different people for the very last time. Sue discovers that no matter how hard she tries, she can’t take everything with her. In the midst of all the things she’s surrounded by, she’s inhibited from being herself. Sue struggles her hardest to get away—anywhere else in the world where she can feel comfortable in her skin. KONGDEJ JATURANRASMEE is a film professor, director, and scriptwriter. His awardwinning titles include Sayew, Midnight My Love, and Tang Wong. He has written many of the most successful Thai films in recent years, including Tom Yum Goong (Prachya Pinkaew) and Queens of Pattani (Nonzee Nimibutr).
DIRECTOR Kongdej Jaturanrasmee
N /A AVAI L AB LE B E TWE E N NOV 1–N OV 8
north american premiere
130 minutes • 2019 • Thailand/South Korea • Thai with English subtitles • 2019 • Drama
CAST Jennis Oprasert Praewa Suthamphong
PRODUCER Soros Sukhum WRITER Kongdej Jaturanrasmee CINEMATOGRAPHER Umpornpol Yugala
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
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D O C U M E N TA R Y F E AT U R E S S E R I E S
F IR ST VOT E
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
YI CHEN
First Vote is a character-driven vérité documentary with unparalleled access to a diverse cross section of politically engaged Chinese Americans: a gun-toting Tea Party-favorite candidate courting GOP votes in the South; a podcaster in Ohio who became a citizen in order to vote for Trump; a progressive journalist confronting Chinese Americans for Trump after moving to a battleground state; and a University of North Carolina professor teaching about race and racism in the U.S. The film weaves their stories from the presidential election of 2016 to the 2018 midterms, and explores the intersection of immigration, voting rights, and racial justice. Until 1952, federal law barred immigrants of Asian descent from becoming U.S. citizens and voting. Today, Asian Americans are the fastest growing population in the United States. More than 11 million Asian Americans will be able to vote in 2020. Directed by Soros Equality Fellow, Yi Chen, a Chinese immigrant and first-time voter herself, First Vote is a rare long-form look at the diverse Asian American electorate. Soros Equality Fellow, YI CHEN, holds an MFA in Film and Media Arts from American University. Her feature documentary First Vote has screened at festivals including the 2020 AFI DOCS, CAAMFest, and Nevertheless Film Festival. Yi has received funding from the Ford Foundation JustFilms, and Open Society Foundations, among others.
DIRECTOR Yi Chen PRODUCER Yi Chen
N /A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
canadian premiere
60 minutes • 2019 • USA • English, Mandarin Chinese / English subtitles
CAST Jennifer Ho Kaiser Kuo Sue Googe Lance Chen
CINEMATOGRAPHER Yi Chen
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
•
VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
19
D O C U M E N TA R Y F E AT U R E S S E R I E S
CUR T AI N UP!
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
HUI TONG, KELLY NG
Curtain Up! follows elementary school kids in New York's Chinatown as they prepare for the musical production of "Frozen Kids", while understanding their own identities. Behind the scenes they face Asian stereotypes, family expectations, and uncertainties post-graduation. Through rehearsing for this American favorite, these kids come to grapple with their Chinese roots. Will they have to let something go? HUI TONG is a documentary filmmaker from Beijing and based in New York. Curtain Up! is his first feature-length documentary. Hui is currently working on his first book on the issue of identity, through the lenses of Asian-Americans, ChineseAmericans, mainland Chinese, and overseas Chinese students. KELLY NG is a multimedia journalist from Singapore drawn particularly to stories on minority communities, education, and mental health. She has been published on The Atlantic, NBC, and South China Morning Post, among others. Curtain Up! is her filmmaking debut. Kelly is currently a correspondent at Singapore’s The Business Times.
N /A AVAI L A B LE B E T WE E N NOV 1–N OV 8
canadian premiere
69 minutes • 2019 • USA • English, Mandarin
DIRECTOR Hui Tong, Kelly Ng
CAST William Cui Charlotte Wang Jack Lau Alvin Wu
PRODUCER Hui Tong, Kelly Ng WRITER Hui Tong, Kelly Ng CINEMATOGRAPHER Hui Tong, Kelly Ng
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
20
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CANADIAN SHORTS
M AM M W I N N E RS
LI V E S U N NOV 8 , 4P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q& A
D IRT Y LAU N D RY 5 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Action Comedy Best Cinematography MAMM 15 (Marc Yungco) People's Choice Best Overall Film MAMM 15
How do you win back an ex-girlfriend that can throw down when it counts? By staging and thwarting a fake robbery, of course.
V AF F ON DE MAND
AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
JOSH ARIES is a Filipino-Canadian filmmaker based in Surrey, BC. He is an avid appreciator of movement and applies it through his bombastic action-comedy films. WRITER Josh Aries PRODUCER Philip Planta CINEMATOGRAPHER Marc Yungco
People's Choice Best Performance MAMM 15 (Jordan Cameron)
SM ALL B IT ES 5 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
A woman goes hiking with a group of friends where she is bombarded with mosquitos, and micro aggressive questions. Best Performance MAMM 15 (Lissa Neptuno)
WRITER Lissa Neptuno PRODUCERS Lissa Neptuno, Andy Wong, Mike Li CINEMATOGRAPHER Michael Yeung
WISH YO U W E R E HE R E 5 min • 2020 • Canada • English & Japanese • Drama
An imaginative girl brings her unwilling boyfriend on an emotional rollercoaster to Japan from the comfort of their home during the pandemic. Best Screenplay Award MAMM 15
SHIUM OKADA and YUKO MASAKI are 2nd-generation Japanese-Canadians who aim to expand the envelope of Asian-Canadian filmmaking. Shiun is a Vancouver-based emerging filmmaker/cinematographer who advocates for diversity of talents within the film industry. Yuko Masaki is an anthropology student who focuses her studies on Japanese culture. WRITERS Yuko Masaki, Shiun Okada, Azumi Konaka, Hisako Masaki PRODUCER Shiun Okada CINEMATOGRAPHER Ernest Ng
SRIKAN D I 5 min • 2020 • Canada, Indonesia • Bahasa Indonesia • Drama
Best Film Award MAMM 15
ANDY WONG is an Asian-Canadian filmmaker from Vancouver. After completing the Simon Fraser University film program, he worked as Assistant Director on SUPERGIRL, DC LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, and THE DETOUR. He produced THE STAR OF THERAPY, and short film HEKADEMIA which received National Film Board and Canadian Arts Council funding.
After the death of her father, seventeen year-old Anjani is torn between her mother's desire to sell the house and studio and her own dreams of continuing her father's legacy as a shadow puppeteer.
LU Z 5 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Comedy
Mark's search for his ex-girlfriends cat leads him down a rabbit hole.
Best director Award MAMM 15
ANDREA NIRMALA WIDJAJANTO is an Indonesian writer, director and producer based in Vancouver. She completed a film production diploma at VFS, and has worked on multiple film productions as an Assistant Director and Production Manager. She's currently working on developing her upcoming shorts and on supporting unheard and diverse voices. WRITER Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto PRODUCER Matthew Herst CINEMATOGRAPHER Thomas Rasilim
JON CHIANG's SOUND WATER premiered in 2019. His short documentary SHOJI won a VAFF competition and was chosen to be screened Canada-wide by the Consulate General of Japan. THE LION won the People's Choice Award at VAFF and was screened in the Asian American International Film Festival in New York. WRITER Jon Chiang PRODUCERS Jon Chiang & Joanna Wong CINEMATOGRAPHER Peter Planta
T H IN LIN E S 5 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Comedy
A young man learns what racism is not from a wise old street artist.
Spirit Award MAMM 15
Having come from vastly different backgrounds, ALLEN XU & MOHEB JINDRAN have come together to produce numerous short films, all highlighting the diverse world we live in. They hope to use their medium to break boundaries between cultures and show that at the end of the day, we’re all in this together. WRITER Moheb Jindran PRODUCERS Moheb Jindran, Allen Xu, Behnam Salimy, Diego Tovar CINEMATOGRAPHER Yandy Liu
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
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•
VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
21
LIVE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OCT 31–NOV 8
SAT • OC T
7PM 150 MI N
31
OP E NING NIGH T S CREENI NG
T H E C LOS E T I N THEATRE LI VE VI RTUAL S C RE E NING &
THU • NOV
5PM 45 MIN
DOCU MENTARY SP OT L IG H T
T H E DO NU T KING
5
L IV E Q& A
FRI • NOV
9 0 MIN
SAT • NOV
6 0 MIN
7PM
6
7
5PM
VAF F I 2 PANEL
WH AT 'S T H E SECR ET TO B E CO MING A DGC DIRE CTO R?
CANADI AN S H ORTS
DO CS L IV E Q& A
7PM 45 MIN
I NT ERNAT I ONAL S P OT L IG H T
LIT T LE MISS PER IOD L IV E Q& A
SUN • N OV
1
2PM 90 MI N
5PM 60 MI N
VAFF I 2 PANE L
WH O WANTS TO B E A T A L E N T TO WAT CH ? CANADIAN SH ORTS
L I F E & DE AT H LI VE Q& A
7PM 45 MI N
CANADIAN SP OTLI GH T
K E T C H U P & S OYA SAUCE LI VE Q& A
SUN • NOV
8
2 PM 9 0 MIN
4PM 6 0 MIN
EL I MI N8 H AT E PAN E L
MO DE L MINO R ITY MYT H O N FILM CANADI AN S H ORTS
MAMM WINNER S L IV E Q& A
6PM 1 2 0 MIN
CLOS I NG FI L M
B E YO ND T H E DR EAM Q& A + C LOS ING RE M A R KS
MON • N OV
7PM 90 MI N
2
WED • N OV
4
22
7PM 60 MI N
E LIMIN8H ATE PANEL E LE VATING UNDE RRE P RE SE NT ED VOICE S IN FILM, TE LE VIS ION AND MEDI A
CANADIAN SH ORTS
DE E P I N YO U R MIND LI VE Q& A
IN-THEATRE SCREENING will take place at Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas. For in-theatre health and safety protocol, visit https://festival.vaff. org/2020/health-and-safety/
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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VAFF ON DEMAND (VOD) SP OTLIG HT SERIES
NA RRATIVE FEATURES SERIES
D O C UMEN TARY FEATURES SERIES
CA NA DIA N SHO RTS SERIES
I N TE R N ATIO N AL SHO RTS SERIES
E L IMIN8 HATE SP ECIAL P R E SENTATIO N
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
All VAFF ON DEMAND rentals are available throughout the entire duration of the festival, but once unlocked for viewing, you only have 24 hours to watch the film program. Accessible by viewers anywhere in CANADA.
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
23
CANADIAN SHORTS
L I FE & DE AT H
L IV E V AF F ON DE MAND
W E D NOV 4, 7P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q& A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
IN LOV I N G M E M ORY 15 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Drama Comedy
Having been fatherless almost her entire life, Kaylie wouldn't have it any other way. But with the recent death of her biological dad she’s being forced by her mom to attend his wake, which carries with it the promise of an inheritance. At the wake, awkwardness is in full force when questions and expectations arise about the man she barely knew. Everyone seems to know him better than her, who is supposed to be of his own DNA. As Kaylie’s unresolved emotions creep further to the surface, so does her need to connect to her dad. Now she must navigate decades of grief and neglect as family secrets are revealed and discoveries are made.
S E R I OUS L E E S 8 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Comedy
A Chinese-Canadian father and daughter grocery shopping in Chinatown teaches us what it means to be in touch with one's culture. Follow Jack Lee, a second generation, and his daughter Maddie, a third generation, as they bond over more than just a family recipe.
L A UR A 15 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Drama
Laura, a young half-Indigenous woman, has a conversation with her lawyer Mr. Wilson about how to present her case before court. Mr. Wilson attempts to keep the process positive, but his ignorance begins to make Laura question her identity and her place in society.
A N D N OW T HI S? 24 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Drama
Faced with terminal cancer, a woman's choice to die with dignity causes friction between her daughters who have opposing views on their mother's heartbreaking decision.
MAYUMI YOSHIDA is an award-winning actor/writer/director. Her directorial debut AKASHI won Outstanding Writer at NBCUniversal Short Film Festival and many more awards internationally. Her short TOKYO LOVERS won Best Short at Japan Film Festival LA. Her latest short IN LOVING MEMORY is a collaboration with Diana Bang and Andrea Bang. DIANA BANG is a Korean-Canadian actor who got her start with the Asian-Canadian sketch comedy group, Assaulted Fish. Her film & TV acting credits include THE INTERVIEW, ENTANGLEMENT and THE BABY-SITTER'S CLUB . She also co-directed short films IN LOVING MEMORY with Mayumi Yoshida and KARAOKE MAMAS with Andrea Bang. WRITER Andrea Bang PRODUCERS Nach Dudsdeemaytha, Phil Planta, Brittany Lum Cho, Theo Kim CINEMATOGRAPHER Kaayla Whachell CAST Andrea Bang, Susan Hanson
KRISTA JANG is an actor/filmmaker based in Toronto, and an alumna of Capilano University. Her short film, PROJECT: ICING , was highlighted as one of NSI Online Short Film Festival's 'comedy gems' of the year. She has appeared in numerous productions including STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS and MARY KILLS PEOPLE . WRITER Krista Jang PRODUCER Rebeka Herron, Krista Jang CINEMATOGRAPHER Andrew C CAST Russell Yuen, Krista Jang
KAAYLA WHACHELL is a Cinematographer and Director from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Her films have been shown in Vancouver and Los Angeles, and her cinematography has been featured in Rolling Stones and Paper Mag. Her work often reflects her diverse ethnicity (Japanese, Metis, Czech) and her passion for Canadian storytelling. WRITER Kaayla Whachell PRODUCER Mike Johnston CINEMATOGRAPHER Diana Parry CAST Farrah Hart
THEO KIM is an award-winning, Vancouver-based writer, producer and director. He has produced and directed feature films, short films, music and corporate videos. His credits include BEYOND REDEMPTION (NETFLIX), WOODLAND, LETTERKENNY PROBLEMS (CRAVE TV), PAPER CHAMPIONS , and the controversial award-winning short dramas AND NOW THIS? and FALLING IN . WRITER Brenda Whitehall PRODUCER Brenda Whitehall, Theo Kim, Phil Planta CINEMATOGRAPHER Angelica Perez Anzures CAST Margret Nyfors, Sarah Dawn Pledge, Kira Clavell
S ON G BI R D
HEATHER HAWTHORN DOYLE has made a name for herself as being a strong story-based director, who has a great relationship with actors, crew, and a special knack with children, animals, and VFX.
14 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
Sarah and Ryan Chung finally conceive their first child, but shortly after sharing the news with their loved ones, they tragically and unexpectedly lose her to a miscarriage. What is even more unexpected, are the difficulties they have dealing with their loss and the challenges it presents to their marriage.
WRITER Sarah Surh PRODUCERS Sarah Surh and Steve Chung CINEMATOGRAPHER Brandon Y Lee CAST Sarah Surh and Ryan Jinn
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
24
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CANADIAN SHORTS L IV E
D E EP I N YO UR M I N D
V AF F ON DE MAND
NENE
W E D NOV 4, 7P M F I L MMAKE RS TAL K + Q& A AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
north american premier
17 min • 2020 • Canada, Philippines • Tagalog, English • Drama
Nene is an accomplished and retired painter in her eighties. Her daughter and grandson travel from the city to see her, but unknown to her family, Nene is attempting to finish the final painting of her lifetime.
CH RISTO P HE R K I M
world premier
17 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
Christopher struggles to meet his mother's expectations on the day of his piano exam.
CACT I AN D W E E D 9 min • 2020 • Canada • English, Cantonese • Comedy
Free-spirited artist Ella survived cancer, but is at her wit's end trying to win her controlling mother-in-law Margaret's approval. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, with her motherin-law's life in danger, Ella is compelled to risk revealing her truth to save her. Intergenerational dynamics spiral into hilarious chaos. This Asian family comedy explores our struggle to truly belong.
T H E ST AR O F T HE R A PY
vancouver premier
25 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Comedy
When Kendra is admitted into group therapy, she becomes overly competitive about completing her weekly goals.
KING LOUIE PALOMO is committed to uncompromising visions that challenge conventional paradigms. He works to encourage dialogue and foster community through producing films and other media forms. King has produced over ten short films which have screened at both local and international film festivals. WRITERS King Louie Palomo, Brian Patrick Lim, Dani Alvarado PRODUCER Brian Patrick CINEMATOGRAPHER Brian Patrick Lim CAST Flora Gasser, Mercedes Cabral
JOSHUA MAIKAWA is a filmmaker and composer from Toronto, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production at York University.
WRITER Joshua Maikawa PRODUCERSS Joshua Maikawa, Diego Rose CINEMATOGRAPHER Ibrahim Issa CAST Jerome Ng, Sarah Kim
ZOE HO is an Asian-Canadian writer, director, and actor, whose work celebrates the humour, conflict and love sparked when East meets West. She finds nuance in the struggle to overcome colonialism. She has produced television, books and magazines for the Inuvialuit (Inuit) of Canada’s Arctic, and for APTN. WRITER Zoe Ho PRODUCER Zoe Ho CINEMATOGRAPHER Marc Yungco CAST Zoe Ho, Winson Won, Sharmaine Yeoh, Glenn Cho
BRYCE IWASCHUK is a devoted writer, director, producer, and editor from Vancouver, British Columbia. He graduated from two streams at Langara Film Arts in 2015 and 2017. In 2019, along with his collaborative partner, Ana Pacheco, and director/producer, Andy Wong, they formed Come On In Productions. WRITER Ana Pacheco PRODUCERS Ana Pacheco, Andy Wong, Bryce Iwaschuk CINEMATOGRAPHER Collin Morrison CAST Ana Pacheco, Stella Lai, Paula Spurr
D E E PE R I G O
north american premier
15 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
The profound loss of a loved one drives a man to desperation.
MICHAEL P. VIDLER is an independent director whose innovative work has been repeatedly recognized across mediums. His most recent short film was produced as part of the highly competitive Crazy8s, and has gone on to have successful festival runs at VIFF, Foyle Film Festival, Tallgrass Film Festival, and many others. WRITER Michael P. Vidler PRODUCERS Jesse Copeland, Pawan Deol & Nach Dudsdeemaytha CINEMATOGRAPHER Leonardo Harim CAST Hiro Kanagawa
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
•
VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
25
CANADIAN SHORTS
DO C S
LI VE
SAT NOV 7, 5P M FILMMAKERS TAL K + Q& A
V AF F ON DE MAND
AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
IK E BA N A 5 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Documentary
A Japanese-Canadian elder talks about her past, her Japanese identity, and what makes Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) different.
ALEJANDRO YOSHIZAWA is a filmmaker and Assistant Professor and instructor at the University of the Fraser Valley and the University of British Columbia. Specializing in documentaries, community stories, oral history, and digital media, his films include the award-winning documentary ALL OUR FATHER'S RELATIONS (2016). WRITER Kaz Takahashi PRODUCER Carolyn Nakagawa CINEMATOGRAPHER Alejandro Yoshizawa CAST Kaz Takahasi
A -Y I
world premier
17 min • 2020 • Canada • English • Drama
After eight years of blossoming friendship, an elderly Chinese can collector finally gets the chance to communicate with her unlikely friends, a group of East Vancouver millennials.
W E T HE W E ST
world premier
18 min • 2019 • Canada • English • Documentary
Filmmaker and Vancouver Grizzlies expert and fanatic Kat Jayme thought she was the only one still hopelessly in love with, and grieving the loss of, her ill-fated home team. That is, until she met other Grizzlies superfans Tony, Dan, Christina, and Michelle.
HA Y A S HI ST UD I O
vancouver premier
26 min • 2019 • Canada • English, Japanese subtitles• Documentary
Hayashi Studio follows the diverse lives that came to a small town on Vancouver Island in the 1900's, and Senjiro Hayashi, the Japanese photographer who took their photos. Hayashi used his lens to document every race, class and gender. During internment many of his photos disappeared, some hidden in family attics, others used to make a greenhouse. Almost a century later the photos were found and exhibited, showcasing a piece of Pacific Northwest History rarely seen—that of the diverse and racialized.
MARTYNA CZAPLAK’s work spans across fiction, narrative, and commercial projects. Her latest film release was a CBC funded short documentary called A-YI. Surrounded by fellow documentary filmmakers in her role at DOC BC, Martyna is working towards directing documentaries with a focus of giving a voice to the underrepresented. WRITER Martyna Czaplak PRODUCERS Gregory Czaplak CINEMATOGRAPHER Gregory Czaplak CAST Yang Sun Li
KATHLEEN JAYME is an awardwinning Canadian filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. Her breakthrough documentary, FINDING BIG COUNTRY, has been programmed internationally by ESPN and ABC. She is currently working on her debut feature film, which was the winner of TIFF's 2019 PITCH THIS, with Uninterrupted and Bell Media. WRITER Kat Jayme PRODUCER Michael Grand CINEMATOGRAPHER Michael Dinsmore CAST Christina Yes, Michelle Huang, Tony Knorr, Dan Bennett
HAYLEY GRAY is a Vancouver-based writer and director. Her work has premiered at LA Skins and festivals around the world. Her documentary, HAYASHI STUDIO, explores the diverse history of British Columbia through the lens of Japanese photographer Senjiro Hayashi. She is currently developing her feature documentary UNARCHIVED with the NFB. WRITER Hayley Gray PRODUCER Elad Tzadok CINEMATOGRAPHER Kaayla Whatchell CAST Doug Aoki, Brent Hayashi, Sharon Hayashi
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
26
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GET YOUR SCRIPTS READY as VAFF is proud to announce
THE RICHARD K. WONG FILM FUND (RWFF) The RWFF aims to support talented Asian Canadian filmmakers and TV producers, to develop, produce, and finish creative projects that raises the profile of Asians in Canada. Our stories are important and we want to give you a chance to tell it. RICHARD K. WONG is a Lifetime Patron on VAFF. He was inspired by the story of WW1 hero, Frederick Lee, a machine gunner who died in battle at Hill 70 in France. The Richard K Wong Film Fund will be available in 2021.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L S H O R T S
O UT O F T HE BOX
L IV E
V AF F ON DE MAND
N /A
vancouver premier
MAKE A WISH 9 min • 2019 • USA • English • Horror
A light-hearted comedy about the sweetest fiancé giving her boyfriend the best present ever.
V I E WAB L E B E T W E E N OC T 3 1–NOV 8
DINH THAI is an Asian-American writer/director based in Los Angeles specializing in commercial directing. Born in Vietnam, fled to France, and finally settling in Los Angeles⸺the 80s and 90s nurtured a fascinating cultural mix which strongly informs Dinh’s approach and aesthetic. WRITERS Ivan Tsang, Dinh Thai PRODUCERS Edward Hong, Josephine Chang, Diane Foster CINEMATOGRAPHER Reuben Steinberg CAST Edward Hong, Josephine Chang, Roman Moretti
T HE C LOUD I S ST I L L T HE R E
canadian premiere
19 min • 2020 • Malaysia • Chinese, Hakka • Drama
When her grandfather becomes terminally ill, Xiao Le, a young Christian woman, faces a critical decision over whether she should intervene with her family's Taoist rituals. Driven by a desire to save his soul, she begins secretly praying by his bedside. When her mother discovers Xian’s deceit, she is devastated.
vancouver premiere
C HE N C HE N
22 min • 2019 • Hong Kong / China • Chinese, English • Drama
Chen has to take care of his brother who has cerebral palsy for a few days. He accidentally discovered that his brother actually knows many things and has the same sexual desires as anyone else; but no one has ever been concerned about that. Chen decided to take his brother, who had not been out for a long time, to experience the happiness of life...
F E LT LOV E
canadian premiere
7 min • 2020 • USA • Animation
A young boy learns to understand the depth of his mother's love despite the distance her dedication may create.
Born in Malaysia in 1995, MICKEY LAI is an emerging writer-director. She graduated with a Master of Fine Arts - Film and TV Production from London’s Met Film School. She is actively involved in Malaysia’s film and TV industry. THE CLOUD IS STILL THERE is her debut, semi-autobiographical short film. WRITER Mickey Lai PRODUCERS Rachel Tan CINEMATOGRAPHER Lee Kah Giap CAST Tan Cheong Bee, Ling Tang
KARGO CHEN graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University’s Academy of Film. His thesis short, CHEN CHEN, was selected by Palm Springs International ShortFest, SHORTSHORTS, and Calgary International Film Festival, among other international film festivals. It won Best Narrative Short at the China New Era Film Awards. WRITER Kargo Chen PRODUCER Kargo Chen CINEMATOGRAPHER ZHOU Zijie CAST Etsen Chen, WANG Tao
ARLENE BONGCO and ANGELINE VU are San Jose State University graduates with a BFA in Animation/ Illustration. Heartwarming narratives and handmade crafts inspire Arlene’s work, while Angeline has loved to read fairy tales from a young age, and draws inspiration from her family life at home. WRITERS Celine Nguyen PRODUCERS Arlene Bongco, Angeline Vu, Celine Nguyen CINEMATOGRAPHER Yilin Wang
D A F F OD I L
canadian premiere
18 min • 2020 • Hong Kong • English • Drama
A trip through the psyche of a jaded workaholic in the sudden wake of her estranged mother's death.
NICOLA FAN is a Hong Kong based award-winning filmmaker and creative/art director for film, music videos, and motion-graphics. Her latest short film DAFFODIL, was awarded Best Short Film Cinematography at 2019 European Cinematography Awards, Best Fantasy Film and Best Female Director at 2019 Independent Shorts Award. WRITERS Irene Pyne, Andrew Quailes PRODUCERS Patty Keung, Richie Fowler CINEMATOGRAPHERS Andrew Lang & Yuling Chow CAST Lesley Chiang, Yu Yung Yung, Abby Leung
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CR OSSR OA DS
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V AF F ON DE MAND
RU WAT AN
AVAI L AB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
canadian premiere
15 min • 2018 • Indonesia • Bahasa Indonesia, English • Drama
Accompanying her blind mother to alternative therapy is one of Sri's weekly routines. Today might be their last visit.
Best Short Film - 15th Indonesian Film Festival Australia • RIIFF New England Director's Award - FLICKERS' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2020
UNDER THE FLAG
canadian premiere
15 min • 2019 • USA • Mandarin • Drama
Yiyi is a naive but driven girl, pressured by her mother to get the lead role at a dance performance at school. When Yiyi discovers that her mother has bribed the teacher to buy her the part, she’s conflicted about accepting the coveted part which she now considers to be tainted.
TO B O RROW, TO K E E P
world premiere
11 min • 2020 • USA • English, Cantonese • Drama
Cheryl Wu and her mother Janine share a family secret: her uncle and Janine’s younger brother, Gary, has a gambling addiction. Provoked by a recent visit from Gary, Cheryl will have to decide if the family secret is worth keeping buried. AM E RICAN BOD I E S
canadian premiere
11 min • 2019 • USA • English • Dark Comedy
It’s a routine day for the women working inside the shipping and packaging facility at the American Bodies Manufactory… until an unexpected delivery reveals an awful truth.
ERNEST LESMANA is an Indonesian filmmaker currently residing in Boston, MA. His works explore stories about familial bond, intergenerational issues and cultural identity, and often feature characters from the margin of society. He graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Film Production. WRITER Ernest Lesmana PRODUCERS Jennifer Octivana, Nonie Pahmi CINEMATOGRAPHER Fajar Ridho Ilahi CAST Vonny Anggraini, Anne Yasmine, Johannes de Britto
JIAWEI CHENG is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory (Directing) and NYU’s Tisch Film and TV program (Class of 2016). Her thesis film, NEW YEAR won Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actor at the Wasserman Award of NYU's First Run Film Festival. WRITERS Jiawei Cheng & Dhruv Kanungo PRODUCER Danwen Lei CINEMATOGRAPHER Leo Purman CAST Michelle Chuang
VICTORIA PARK is an actor, filmmaker, and dreamer, best known for playing Kamilla Hwang in CW's THE FLASH. CHANELLE WANG is an actor, writer, poet, and filmmaker. She has appeared on screen, including ABC’s GENERAL HOSPITAL and CBS’ SWAT. WRITER Chanelle Wang PRODUCER Theresa Chiu CINEMATOGRAPHER Victoria Park CAST Chanelle Wang, Cici Lau, Wilky Lau
A first-generation Korean-American born in the Colorado foothills, RAMMY PARK is an HBO Directing Fellow and a Film Independent Fellow twice over. She tells stories about fierce and conflicted people trying to make sense of an incomprehensible, often absurd, world. She writes on Amazon’s THE WHEEL OF TIME. WRITER Rammy Park PRODUCERS Jhanvi Motla, Adanne Ebo, Amy Ma CINEMATOGRAPHER Kunitaro Ohi CAST Nancy Ma, Natasha Liu, Julie Ow, Julia May Wong, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara
E VAN AT T H E CRACK O F D A W N
canadian premiere
16 min • 2020 • USA • English • Dramedy
Evan wakes up in the desert with no memory of how he got there. He soon meets Dawn, a not-so-angelic messenger angel assigned to guide him home. Only by working together can they return to their own lives; but it’s not going to be a walk in the clouds.
B ASU RE RO
canadian premiere
17 min • 2019 • Philippines • Tagalog, English • Drama
BASURERO is about Bong, a Filipino fisherman, working in an urban fishing village on the outskirts of Manila. Desperate for cash, he dumps bodies into the ocean for the drug war’s faceless vigilantes. He wrestles with guilt and tension rises when the killings hit close to home after he discovers his neighbor has been murdered for selling shabu (crystal meth).
ROXY SHIH is a Taiwanese-American Emmy-nominated writer/director. Her first feature THE TRIBE was acquired by Empress Road Pictures. She helmed episodes of DARK/WEB , a series released on Amazon Prime in 2019 with a World Premiere at SDCC. Her second feature PAINKILLERS was also released in 2019 on Hulu. WRITER Chanelle Wang PRODUCER Theresa Chiu CINEMATOGRAPHER Daphne Wu CAST Deyo Forteza, Chanelle Wang
EILEEN CABILING grew up as the only Asian in her class in Richmond, Virginia and is passionate about exploring the Filipino diaspora. She is a graduate of the American Film Institute, a Women in Film Scholar, recipient of the William J. Fadiman Award/Best AFI Screenplay and the ABC/WALT DISNEY Talent Grant. WRITER Eileen Cabiling PRODUCERS Eileen Cabiling, Darlene Catly Malimas, Sascha Brown Rice, Jose Carlos Mangual, Eva Husson CINEMATOGRAPHER Jae Hyuk Lee CAST Jericho Rosales
COMMUNITY SUPPORTER
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S H O R T S
SPOT L I GHT O N SO UT H KO RE A
L IV E
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V AF F ON DE MAND
V I E WAB L E B E T W E E N NOV 1–NOV 8
M OT HE R I N G
international premiere
24 min • 2020 • South Korea • Korean • Drama
Jee-eun is not satisfied with the newcomer Seul-gi’s inadequate childcare techniques. Jee-eun decides to teach Seul-gi her own methods.
WRITER KIM Mid-eum PRODUCERS LEE Seung-yeon CINEMATOGRAPHER YOO Yong-hwan CAST KIM Kang-hee, CHA Seung-hyeon, LIM Ye-eun
LOOK A L I K E ( ) _ 22YO_ KOR E A N C OL L EG EG I R L . A V I
international premiere
24 min • 2019 • South Korea • Korean, English • Drama
Hyewon finds out her ex-boyfriend leaked her sex video. She accuses him of the crime, while trying to get a new job.
WRITER JUNG Hye-won PRODUCER JUNG Hae-in CINEMATOGRAPHER JI Seung-woo CAST SHIN Jiwoo / KIM Jae-hun / YU Eden
international premiere
26 min • 2020 • South Korea • Korean, Japanese • Drama
Jeongyeon decides to celebrate her 60th birthday by visiting her married daughter living in Japan. At her arrival, Jeongyeon is greeted not by her daughter, but instead by her young granddaughter, Uekusa An. WRITER KIM Sohyoung PRODUCER KO Taeuk, Kawasima Alice CINEMATOGRAPHER Saito Yuji CAST Yu Jeongyeon, Uekusa An "19th Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival: Best Short Film about Love 17th Cheongju International Short Film Festival: Special Mention"
W E BLOOM 27 min • 2020 • South Korea • Korean , English • Drama
Born in 1993, JUNG HYEWON majored in creative writing while pursuing her theater career. Her plays won several awards as she worked as an assistant director and writer at CHAIMU and HAN. She went on to study cinema at Korea National University of Arts where she directed LOOKALIKE( )_22YO_ KOREANCOLLEGEGIRL.AVI.
17th Asiana International Short Film Festival: Best Actress 8th Daegu Women’s Film Festival: Excellence Prize
BE F OR E T HE S UM M E R P A SS E S
Born in 1989, KIM MID-EUM graduated with a major in theology and later studied in film. He wrote the script for a feature film, THE EDUCATION, which was invited to Busan International Film Festival and Seoul Independent Film Festival.
north american premiere
Every day after school, Sang-hyeon goes to Jeoung-woo’s place. Jeoung-woo is always “listening” to movies at home because he is blind. Before moving away, Sang-hyeon starts recording a film.
Born in 1992, KIM SOHYOUNG majored in film directing at Koran National University of Arts where she directed and acted in a number of short films. Her short film, DAYS OF SUNHWA (2018) was invited to Jeonju International Film Festival.
Born in 1995, KIM YUL-HEE began studying cinema in 2016. She directed BIRTHDAY (2018) and WE BLOOM (2020).
WRITER KIM Yul-hee PRODUCER YOU Hyung-rae CINEMATOGRAPHER KIM Yun-gi CAST LEE Ji-bom, SUNG Seung-ha, HA Jung-min
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VA F F 2 0 2 0 A W A R D S The th ree (3 ) nominees for 2020 BE ST C I N E MATO G RAPHY FOR CANADIAN F EATURE AWARD, 2020 BEST DIR E C TOR FO R C A N A DI AN FEAT URE AWARD and 2 020 BEST C ANADIAN FEATURE AWA R D a re (alph abetic ally, by film t it le): GYO P O , Director Samuel Kiehoon Lee KE T CHUP & SOY A S A U C E , Director Zhimin Hu WHIT E E L E PHAN T , Director Andrew Chung
More in fo abou t th e j udges and pre se n tation of awards avai l abl e at h ttp s://fe stival.vaff.org /2020/vaff-award
The twelve (12) nominees for 2020 BE ST C I N E MATO G RAPHY FOR CANADIAN S H ORT AWA RD , 2020 BEST DIRECTOR FOR C A N A DI AN SHORT AWARD a nd 2020 BEST C ANADIAN SHORT AWA R D a re ( alph abetically, by film t it le): A-Y I , Director Martyna Czaplak AN D NOW T HI S? , Director Theo Kim CACT I AN D WE E D , Director Zoe Ho CHR ISTO PHE R KI M , Director Joshua Maikawa DE E PE R I G O , Director Michael P. Vidler HA Y ASHI ST UD I O , Director Hayley Gray L AU R A , Director Kaayla Whachell N E N E , Director King Louie Palomo S ERIOUS L E E S , Director Krista Jang SONG BI RD , Director Heather Hawthorn Doyle T HE ST AR O F T HE R A PY , Director Bryce Iwaschuk WE T HE WE ST , Director Kathleen Jayme
P E O P L E ' S C H O I C E AWA R D S 2 0 2 0 Th e Peop le' s C h o i ce Award s w i l l b e anno un ce d at VAFF' s social me dia ch an nels a n d web s i te o n Nov 9, 2 02 0. Yo u h ave th e powe r to be th e j u dge a n d s elec t the BEST OV E RA L L F E AT U R E , BEST OV E RA L L SH O RT , an d B E ST OV ERA L L P E R FO R MA N C E . Al l Inter n at io n a l and C anad i an f i l m s are e ligible. Votin g is open f ro m Oc t 3 1 -Nov 8 , 2 02 0 d uri ng t he fe stival. Look fo r yo u r favo uri te f i l m and vo te on l i n e at www.vaf f.org /vote
SPONSORS
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Proud to Support VAFF 2020 creativebc.com
creativebcs
E L I M I N 8 H AT E U P D AT E In April 2020, VAFF launched Elimin8Hate to support Asians living in Canada as Anti-Asian racist attacks escalated in response to COVID-19. Elimin8Hate created a safe and anonymous reporting system with the mission to utilize and share the data for actionable change. VAFF then collaborated with community grassroots organization, Project 1907, to provide additional Asian language reporting pages. Later joining forces with the Chinese Canadian National Council – Toronto and Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice, all four organizations came together on the anniversary of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver to release the joint findings. (September 2020) While these findings are deeply disturbing, unfortunately, they are not shocking. The idea of orientalism and otherness is deeply embedded in the Canadian culture, and it requires active daily work to disrupt this mindset. AntiAsian racist attacks are taking place against a backdrop of structural racism and violent histories that also affect Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities. We must do better. Saying "sorry" is very Canadian, but this must be followed up with concrete actions to drive change forward. Violent racist attacks cannot be part of our country’s ‘new normal’ alongside face masks, physical distancing, and quarantining. Representation and Role-Models matter; “To dream it, you need to see it.” Elimin8hate demands change. As Provincial and Federal governments budget for an economic recovery, this is an opportune time in history to dismantle these systems that oppress, marginalize and exclude. Racialized people need to be seen, heard and represented in leadership roles in the corporate world, government, institutions and media. VAFF has partnered with the Multicultural Branch Resilience BC to develop anti-hate videos in several languages: hatecrimesinbc.resiliencebcnetwork.ca VAFF will be offering two workshops to community organizers through the generous support of SFU, Community Engagement Initiative and David Lam Centre on De-Weaponizing the Model Minority Myth. Visit our website or Facebook for updates on how to join on November 20 and December 4.
H OW YOU C AN H E LP • • • • • •
Stand up against hate whenever it is safe to do so. Doing nothing condones these actions Submit your 30–60 second Public Service Announcement to elimin8hate@vaff.org Report your racial attack as the victim or bystander Share your story Educate yourself in anti-racist work Write to funding agencies to provide more resources to underrepresented creators/artists
Learn more at www.elimin8hate.org • Donate to vaff.org
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PA N E L S E R I E S
PANEL 1
L IV E
EL E VAT I N G UN DE RR E P R E S E N T E D VOI CES IN F I L M , T E LE V IS ION A N D M E DI A
MONDAY November 2 7:00–8:30 PM
Audiences are waking up to the power of storytelling as the most effective tool to combat racist attitudes. Stories can influence how people think, feel and perceive the world around them. In Canada and the US, there are so many underrepresented voices to discover and stories to draw from their histories and lived experiences. This panel will shine a spotlight on the importance of elevating creators from Black, Indigenous, Asian and other communities of colour and share their challenges, strategies and recommendations to increase discoverability. MODERATOR
NILESH PATEL is a former coordinator of diversity initiatives for the NFB, a former instructor in the DTES, and an award winning filmmaker. Nilesh is a filmmaker of colour who founded Roaming Pictures in 2001 to explore the stories of us all coming together. Throughout his twenty years in the film and television industry he has worked on and for many diversity initiatives by publicly funded organizations. The last decade has seen him continue documentary filmmaking and training with different Indigenous groups in Northern Alberta, the Far North, and BC. At this time Nilesh is continuing his on-going twisted love affair with public financing for documentary, while using his history in film and as man of colour to effect change in the film and television industries.
PANELISTS
BARBARA CHIRINOS – Project Leader National Promotion - Western Region, Ontario and Nunavut Prior to joining the team at Telefilm Canada was the Founder and Co-curator of the Vancouver International Film Festival/Film Centre’s Black History Month film series, celebrating its 8th year in 2020. Barbara was the Curating Producer of for the Battered Women’s Support Services event: 40 Years Later, featuring Tarana Burke, founder of the #ME TOO Movement at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre. Barbara teaches Festival Management at Capilano University and before making Vancouver her home she was an independent film producer and theatrical stage manager in her home town of NYC. JASON VE is the VP of Artist Partnerships at 88rising, the leading record label and media company that manages Asian artists around the world. Jason is a leader in the music and tech industry, and was previously Head of Business Development at Deezer, a global music streaming service. Jason has also held leadership roles at leading tech and media companies, including Google, Viacom and Disney. A graduate of the NYU Stern School of Business, Jason is passionate about rising entrepreneurs, and has a consulting company JV Media Ventures to consult, advise and invest in startups with founders from underrepresented communities. NICOLE MENDES is VP, Scripted Development at Lark Productions where she oversees strategies and development for the scripted arm of the company. Previously, she spent over a decade working in Scripted Content at CBC. As Executive in Charge of Production for CBC Drama, she oversaw projects in both production and development for dramatic one-hour series, limited series, miniseries, movies of the week, and specials including the hit Canadian drama MURDOCH MYSTERIES , the acclaimed series, ANNE WITH AN “E,” and the Peabody nominated limited series THE BOOK OF NEGROES . Nicole has served on multiple juries and sat on various industry panels for organizations such as TIFF, WGC, DGC, and WIFT-T. She also serves on committees for POV and BIPOC TV & Film, organisations that aim to increase inclusion and representation in the industry. PANELIST TBD
SPONSORS
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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PA N E L S E R I E S
PANEL 2
L IV E
M O DE L M I N O RI TY MY T H ON F IL M The Model Minority Myth is a social construct that has penetrated the public consciousness through the bombardment of stereotypical Asian images in Hollywood. From FU MANCHU to CRAZY RICH ASIANS, how have these stereotypes evolved and how does this myth harm Asian Canadian and Asian American communities and how is it used to harm other communities of colour? The panel will examine this myth, how it has been used in film and television and how it can manifest in the films of from North American Asian filmmakers. MODERATOR
SU-ANNE YEO was awarded a PhD in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2016. Currently based in Vancouver, she is a sessional instructor at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and a faculty associate with the Hong Kong Studies Initiative at the University of British Columbia. Her research and writing about film festivals, Hong Kong cinema, and Asian Canadian screen cultures, among other topics, can be found in a range of scholarly and general interest publications. Alongside her academic research, Su-Anne also works independently as a screen curator and programmer and was director of programming at VAFF from 2005 to 2006.
PANELISTS
LI DONG – Director/Producer of STEALING SCHOOL
SUNDAY November 8 2:00–3:30 PM
Li Dong is an award-winning writer and director currently living and working in Toronto. Li graduated from Dalhousie University in 2006 with honours in English and history and then went on to graduate from Dalhousie Law School. After law school Li played poker professionally before he was hand-selected by Oscar-nominated director Werner Herzog for his “Rogue Film School”. Li has since gone on to write and direct numerous short narratives, documentaries and music videos. HUI TONG – Director/Producer of CURTAIN UP! Hui Tong is a filmmaker and freelance writer based in New York/ Beijing. He was born and raised in Beijing and studied History at Cornell University in the U.S. before he came to New York to study documentary at Columbia Journalism School. Having started making short films and documentaries since high school, CURTAIN UP! is his first feature-length film. He is now finishing up his first book, a combination of history and cultural analysis on the issue of identity, through the lenses of Asian Americans, Chinese Americans, mainland Chinese and overseas Chinese students.
CURTAIN UP!
KELLY NG – Director/Producer of CURTAIN UP!
V A FF O N DE M A N D N OV 1 – 8
Having spent most of her journalism life in print, Kelly is grateful for this opportunity to tell the kids' stories via documentary. Working on CURTAIN UP! has made her consider more deeply what it means to be Singaporean by nationality, while ethnically Chinese. Kelly is currently a full-time correspondent at Singapore's The Business Times, covering financial disputes, white-collar crime and fintech. She continues working on documentaries outside of her day job. She hopes to follow the (dirty) money into important stories that may one day land on the big screen.
ST E ALING S CH O O L
V AF F ON DE MAND
AVA I LA B LE B E T WE E N NOV 1 – 8
75 minutes • 2019 • USA • English, Mandarin • Drama
A week before her college graduation, an Asian-Canadian tech prodigy is accused of plagiarism and must fight to prove her innocence in a secret trial held before an academic tribunal.
DIRECTOR Li Dong WRITER Li Dong PRODUCER Mark Sirju CINEMATOGRAPHER Jack Yan Chen
CAST Celine Tsai Mpho Koaho Darrin Baker Jonathan Keltz Michelle Monteith Jonathan Malen Matthew Edison Vas Saranga
SPONSORS
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS SERIES
PANEL 1
L IV E
W H O W AN TS TO BE A T A L E N T TO W ATC H?
SUNDAY November 1 2:00–3:30 PM
One of the most coveted ways to get your first feature film made in Canada is through funding by the Telefilm Talent to Watch Program. We’ve invited this year's recipients to talk about their journey, the challenges they face to get there, and what it takes to succeed. A representative of Telefilm is also present to answer any questions you may have regarding the Program and others on offer. MODERATOR
JOELLA CABALU is a Filipino-Canadian documentary filmmaker based in Vancouver. Since her debut as producer and director on IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, she has produced compelling short documentaries including DO I HAVE BOOBS NOW?, ON FALLING and currently producing her first feature documentary BACK HOME with support from the Telefilm Talent to Watch fund.
PANELISTS
JASON KARMAN is a mid-career short-film screenwriter-director, producer. A graduate of the Master of Fine Arts in Film Production and Creative Writing program at the University of British Columbia, Jason is currently working on his first feature, GOLDEN DELICIOUS , an official selection of Telefilm Canada’s 2020-2021 Talent to Watch program.
JEROME YOO is an emerging Korean-Canadian writer, and director. Jerome made his directing debut in 2018 with his Storyhive funded short, GONG JU, followed by IDOLS NEVER DIE, a coming of age, K-Pop film. He is set to direct his first feature film, MONGRELS , a portrait of an immigrant Korean family uprooting themselves in the rural prairies in 2021.
LAWRENCE LE LAM is a filmmaker from Richmond, BC who loves exploring underground worlds. His underground hip hop short, CYPHER won Best Period Piece at Hollyshorts Film Festival 2018. Lawrence participated in the TIFF Talent Lab in 2017 and is currently developing his first feature, THE CHINATOWN DINER.
LAUREN DAVIS As Telefilm Canada’s Regional Feature Film Executive for the Western Region, Lauren Davis is responsible for supporting emerging talent through production and post-production investments in lowerbudget feature films. Lauren joined Telefilm in 1998 after having worked as an independent producer. Over the last 15 years, she has held a number of management positions within the television, feature film and businessprocess management teams.
SPONSOR
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS SERIES
PANEL 2
L IV E
W H A T ’ S T HE S E C R E T TO B E C OMIN G A DG C DI RE C TO R ?
FRIDAY November 6 7:00–8:15 PM
Many indie filmmakers who want to be a working Director and be able to quit that nine to five job find it difficult when their work is unknown and paid opportunities are limited. That’s why many filmmakers aspire to becoming a union Director in order to get the real paying jobs, but find it very challenging to get in. On this Panel, Zach Lipovsky, the DGC BC Chair of Director Advisor Committee together with other DGC Directors will share what it takes and practical tips to get in, as well as how VAFF could help. MODERATOR
ARNOLD LIM Award-winning Korean-Canadian filmmaker Arnold Lim has won Telefilm’s Talent to Watch twice, to direct his first feature ALL-IN MADONNA (2020) and to produce web series BEST FRIEND ME (2021). In addition to being a juror or programmer for the Victoria and Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Lim was also awarded a BravoFACT grant, a BC Arts Council grant, selected to the National Screen Institute’s Features First program and the Harold Greenberg Fund’s Shorts-to-Features grant.
PANELIST ZACH LIPOVSKI Emmy-nominated Director of MECH-X4 , KIM POSSIBLE and FREAKS , which was the biggest Canadian sales at TIFF18’, was released in over 100 theatres as well as the elected Director representative as Chair of Director Advisor Committee at the DGC BC where he works to forward the careers of all the directors in BC.
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A YEAR IN R E V I E W 2 02 0 VA F F GO N E V I R TU AL Despite an extraordinarily challenging year, VAFF was determined to continue its yearlong programming to foster the community and to amplify Asian voices, just differently. We managed to engage with the audience in ways we never had before, and had fun with it. In celebration of Asian Heritage Month in May, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival kicked off the 15th Annual Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon campaign with a special VIRTUAL "Diversity in Filmmaking” panel series from May to June to better cope with the monumental change that the pandemic has brought the world. We also launched brand new online weekly magazine talk show “Ask Me Anything (AMA)” from June to August to let audiences get up close and personal with artists. DIVERSITY IN FILMMAKING (DIF) series was hosted virtually every Saturday from May 9 to June 4, 2020 to accommodate the current global situation. During the early stages of the pandemic, “Addressing the Current Situation” panel introduced us to the balance of working from home as artists along with their personal lives and mental health. The panel on “Practical Filmmaking” discussed their current experiences working on projects with shifting priorities and deadlines. Our panel “Distribution for Uncertain Times” discussed the future of film exhibition and distribution. Plus, we had a special “fireside” chat with Oscar award winning Domee Shi (BAO). The importance of diversity and representation was interwoven into these discussions, particularly in our panels “Diversity in Animation” and “Amplifying Black Voices in BC Film”. Vancouver’s apparent lack of BIPOC both behind the scenes and on screen is something we needed to speak up about, and it started with listening to what the black community needs and finding ways we can support them. Through this series, we delved into the impact of the pandemic and how we can support one another during these uncertain times. AS K M E A N YT HI N G ( A MA ) hosted by Milton Ng, is an online weekly magazine talk show produced by VAFF. Featuring guests with Asian background in the entertainment industry, discussing the importance of diversity and their personal experience in the industry. Volume 1. had a total of 10 episodes, featuring guests such as Ludi Lin, Osric Chau and Diana Bang. This "no holds bar" show garnered great support from the community and attention from local networks. Volume 2. is in pre-production and the team is working hard to continue the success they have achieved. VAFF is very proud to have a platform that allows their members to create original content. The continuing mission to support the Asian film community, bring awareness to Asian representation and boldly go where no Asian has gone before. We hosted a special virtual “Watch Party + Q&A with Things I Do For Money'' directed by Warren P. Sonoda on August 23, 2020. The Q&A with the Director and stars Maximilian, Theodor & Edward Aoki and Rhett Morita hosted by our moderator, Yumi Nagashima, talked about their groundbreaking Japanese Canadian film and heritage.
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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A YEAR IN REVIEW
Then, we celebrated a new milestone at the 15th edition of Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon during this unprecedented year of 2020. It’s a short-filmmaking competition which provides a platform for local talent to try their hand at filmmaking and showcase emerging Asian talent in Canada. TOP FIVE ACHIEVEMENT IN #MAMM15 •
It was a Record Breaking Numbers in Submissions and even greater engagement with filmmakers and the local community than ever before.
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Our MAMMentorship Workshops was a heavier focus on Script Writing, Directing, Distribution and Post Production; with specialized Writing Mentors to giving one-to-one coaching,
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Our top ten team presented an incredible breadth of diversity and also told a variety of stories with tropical subjects including anti-racism, bullying, mental illness, friendships and family relationship.
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Our MAMMers also proved they could rise to the occasion and all made impressive 5 minutes short films during August under strict CoVid rules.
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We marked the World Premiere and celebration of 10 Short films by the talented top 10 MAMM15 finalists on August 29, 2020 virtual screening and awards gala.
2020 MAMM 5-MINUTE SHORT FILM COMPETITION TEAMS Team TSINELAS (Joshua Aries) from DIRTY LAUNDRY
Team LYCHEE (Sabrina Dang) from SUNNY
Team ON THE SCENE (Yvonne Chapman) from ECOTONE
Team I’M LIKE MY COUNTRY (Abigail Krishna Padilla) from THANK YOU MILA
Team RABBIT FOOT (Jon Chiang) from LUZ Team SMALL BITERS (Lissa Neptuno) from SMALL BITES Team GAJA (Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto) from SRIKANDI
Team BE THE DUCK (Moheb Jindran) from THIN LINES Team DUB (Anthony Lee) from VOICE'S OVER Team HANABI (Shiun Okada) from WISH YOUR WERE HERE
MAMM presented five adjudicated awards which were reviewed by a panel of judges. This included directors and producers, Arnold Lim, Jennifer Liao and Warren P. Sonoda. With a surprise to the viewers and MAMMers, we presented this year’s awards in person under social distance rules by our VAFF executive team (Jonathan Lee, Erika Lorbes and Shastina Kumar). We are honored to have very talented actors and filmmakers (Olivia Cheng, Andrea Bang, Diana Bang, Osric Chau and MAMM sponsor, NovusTV & LNG Studios) to announce the MAMM adjudicated awards.
2020 MAMM15 ADJUDICATED AWARDS Best PERFORMANCE Lissa Neptuno of SMALL BITES Best SCREENPLAY Shiun Okada & Yuko Masaki of WISH YOU WERE HERE Best CINEMATOGRAPHY DOP Marc Yungco of DIRTY LAUNDRY Best DIRECTOR Jon Chiang of LUZ Best FILM SRIKANDI and team leader Andrea Nirmala Widjajanto
2020 MAMM15 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS Best OVERALL SHORT DIRTY LAUNDRY by Team TSINELAS Best OVERALL PERFORMANCE Jordan Cameron of DIRTY LAUNDRY
P R OJEC TS TEA M
Because of MAMM15, we honoured Philip Planta as our MAMM Long Time Supporter Award Recipient and Moheb Jindran as our SPIRIT OF MAMM Award Recipient! There is now a second chance to watch some of these films during the “Canadian shorts” segment of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (#VAFFVIRTUAL) on November 1–8, 2020. On behalf of VAFF and the MAMM production crew, the entire team would like to thank all of the sponsors and community supporters for their continued support in making this year’s competition a huge success and thank you to everyone who tuned in virtually to our #MAMM15 Virtual Screening & Awards Gala!
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ARNOLD LIM Diversity in Filmmaking Series Producer
MAYUMI YOSHIDA MAMM Creative Co-Producer
NACH DUDSDEEMAYTHA MAMM Creative Co-Producer
JOSHUA LAM MAMM Creative Co-Producer
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Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
41
VA F F B O A R D M E M B E R S
Barbara Lee
Kevin K. Li
Founder & President
Edmond Ng Treasurer
Alex Gray
Clement Lau Member at large
Mona Mok
Andry Tanusdjaja Member at large
Mona Ying
Member at large
Executive Director
Corporate Secretary
Andy Chu
Jack Yong
Jenny Zhu
Amélie Nguyen Board Advisor
Board Advisor
Ken Takagi Board Advisor
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Vice President
Board Advisor
Leon Ng
Board Advisor
Board Advisor
Mel D'Souza
Kathy Leung
Programming & Board Advisor
Peter Leung
Board Advisor
Board Advisor
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VA F F E X E C U T I V E S
LYNNE LEE Festival Director
REGINA LEUNG PR Director & Sponsorship Relations
P R O G R A M MIN G TE A M
LOUCIA HO Marketing Director
RAKESH GEORGE Sponsorship Director
MARKETING / COMMU NI C AT I ONS T E AM
AL YOSHIZAWA Programmer
ALINA WONG Programming Assistant & Programmer
BON DOS REMEDIOS Programmer
CRISTINA NORMANDIA Marketing Manager (Festival)
MADISON WONG Marketing Manager (MAMM)
ANGELA LEUNG Marketing Manager (ELIMIN8HATE) / Content & Copywriter
LAURA SUN Marketing Manager
LEMON JIANG Marketing Assistant (MAMM)
COLIN HONG Print Traffic Manager
HELEN LIU Programmer
JOHN THIMOTHY Programmer
PRATEEK SIKKA Social Media Manager
JOCELYN WONG Social Media Editor (Festival)
ROISIN ABBOTT Social Media Editor (Festival)
YURI KOCH Social Media Editor (Festival)
SHASTINA KUMAR Social Media Editor (MAMM)
SARAH ZHOU Social Media Editor (MAMM)
JOYCE YUE ZHU Social Media Editor (ELIMIN8HATE)
SARA CORTEZ Content Editor & Copywriter
LILLY LIN Content Editor & Copywriter
MAGGIE CHUANG Content Editor & Copywriter
QUEENIE WU Graphic Designer (Festival)
BRONWYN AUSTIN Graphic Designer (Festival)
NICOLE FENG Graphic Designer (MAMM)
VAN MAI Graphic Designer (MAMM)
ROSIE HSUEH Programmer
SIDARTHA MURJANI Programmer
YUKARI KOMATSU Programmer
OP E R ATIO N S TE A M
JONATHAN LEE Operations Manager
EMMA COFFIN Operations Coordinator
VINCENT GAN Box Office Manager
MEDI A TE AM
SHREYA PRASAD Media Relations
HANNAH LEE Volunteer Manager (Interim)
DANIEL PEARSON Volunteer Manager
ERIKA LORBES Media Relations
CHHAVI DISAWAR Media Relations ALISHA WENG
F EST I VAL A DMIN TE A M
Photographer
GERRY CHOW
Videographer
GERRY GAVIOLA
MATTHEW WU Bookkeeper
Videographer
AARAV KATARIA Video Editor WILLIAM HU Web Admin
KAREN LEUNG Web Admin
Tickets online at VAFF.ORG
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MARIA EBBOTT
Photographer
SPONSORS H I P T E AM
VERONICA HUANG Sponsorship Manager
PRABHNOOR KAUR Festival Assistant
CHEN SING YAP Video Editor
KEN LONE Community Outreach Manager
VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
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INDEX OF FILMS All films will be available online Nov 1 – Nov 8
A -Y I
GYOPO
P g 26 | 16:56 min
P g 17 | 96:40 min
A M ER IC A N B O D IE S
HAYASHI STUDI O
P g 29 | 11:06 min
P g 26 | 25 min
A N D NOW THIS?
I N LOVI NG MEMORY
P g 24 | 24 min
P g 24 | 14:50 min
B A S U RE R O
I KEBANA
P g 29 | 17 min
P g 26 | 4:30 min
B E F OR E THE SUMME R P A SS E S
KETCHUP & SOYA SAUCE
P g 30 | 26:02 min
B E YON D THE D R E A M P g 15 | 119 min
C AC T I & W E E D P g 25 | 14:36 min
LAURA P g 24 | 14:24 min
LI TTLE MI SS PERI OD P g 13 | Xmin
C H E N C HE N
LOOKALI KE( ) _22YO_ KOREANCOLLEGEGI RL .AV I
P g 28 | 21:38 min
P g 30 | 24:08 min
C H R I STO P HE R K IM
LUZ
P g 25 | 8:47 min
P g 21 | 5 min
C U R T A IN UP !
MAKE A WI SH
P g 20 | 69 min
P g 28 | 8:28 min
D A F F O D IL
MOTHERI NG
P g 28 | 18 min
P g 30 | 23:23 min
D E EP E R I G O
NENE
P g 25 | 15 min
P g 25 | 16:42 min
D I R T Y L A UN DRY
RUWATAN
P g 21 | 5 min
P g 29 | 15 min
E V A N A T THE C R A C K O F D AWN
SECRET ZOO
P g 29 | 16 min
F E LT LOVE P g 28 | 6:30 min
F I R ST VOTE P g 19 | 60 min
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P g 11 | 63 min
P g 12 | 118 min
SERI OUS LEES P g 24 | 8:24 min
SMALL BI TES P g 21 | 5 min
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INDEX OF FILMS
SON G B I R D
TO BORROW, TO KEEP
P g 24 | 13:40 min
P g 29 | 10:57 min
SRIK AN D I
UNDER THE FLAG
P g 21 | 5:15 min
P g 29 | 15 min
ST E A L I NG S CHO O L
WE BLOOM
P g 36 | 75 min
P g 30 | 27:18 min
T HE C LOS E T
WE THE WEST
P g 10 | 97 min
T HE C LO U D IS STILL THE R E P g 28 | 18:45 min
P g 26 | 17:58 min
WHERE WE BELONG P g 18 | 130 min
T HE D ON U T KIN G
WHI TE ELEPHANT
P g 14 | 99 min
T HE ST A R O F THE R A PY P g 25 | 24:59 min
P g 16 | 61:01min
WI SH YOU WERE HERE P g 21 | 5 min
T HIN L I N E S P g 21 | 5:21 min
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
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F E S T I VA L S P O N S O R S Thank you to the following VAFF 2020 Festival sponsors for making this festival possible
PUBLIC FUNDERS
B E N E FA C T O R S
RICHARD K. WONG VAFF LIFETIME PATRON
F E S T I VA L S P O N S O R S
INDUSTRY SPONSORS
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MEDIA SPONSORS
VENDOR SPONSORS
COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS
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VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
47
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