Out of the Box

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS LIVE N/A VAFF ON DEMAND VIEWABLE BETWEEN OCT 31–NOV 8

MAKE A WISH 9 min • 2019 • USA • English • Horror

vancouver premier

A light-hearted comedy about the sweetest fiancé giving her boyfriend the best present ever .

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

THE CLOUD IS STILL THERE

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 .

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

CHEN CHEN

vancouver premiere 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 . . .

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

FELT LOVE 7 min • 2020 • USA • Animation

canadian premiere

A young boy learns to understand the depth of his mother's love despite the distance her dedication may create .

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

DAFFODIL

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

WRITERS Irene Pyne, Andrew Quailes PRODUCERS Patty Keung, Richie Fowler CINEMATOGRAPHERS Andrew Lang & Yuling Chow CAST Lesley Chiang, Yu Yung Yung, Abby Leung

Director at 2019 Independent Shorts Award .