Showcasing some of the best and brightest Asian filmmakers from around the globe, the annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is back for its 24th year with its largest program ever presented!
From October 31 to November 8, VAFF will showcase unique stories, documentaries, and award-winning films reflecting the broad range of experiences and issues faced by the Asian diaspora.
This year’s festivities will take place virtually, and will run for twice as long as previous years, allowing you to take in even more incredible films, panels and interviews from the comfort of your home.
Unsure of where to start in this jam-packed lineup? Check out some of these highlights!
The Closet
Still from “The Closet”
Screening: October 31, 2020 at 7:00pm at the Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas and Live Virtual
Duration: 98 minutes
Directed by: Kim Kwang-bin
This Korean horror mystery explores parental issues through the story of a missing child. Already a box-office hit in Korea, it will premiere for the first time in North America on Halloween.
Secret Zoo
Still from: “Secret Zoo”
Availability (On-Demand): November 1, 2020 12:00am – November 9, 2020 at 11:00pm
Duration: 118 minutes
Directed by: Jae-gon Son
Who doesn’t need a good laugh in 2020? This comedy tells the unexpected tale of a young lawyer being suckered into running a zoo that has sold most of its animals.
Ketchup & Soya Sauce
Availability (On-Demand): November 1, 2020 12:00am – November 9, 2020 at 11:00pm
Duration: 63 minutes
Directed by: Zhimin Hu
This documentary tells the story of five couples whose relationships are shaped by the history of mixed relationships in Canada since the 1930’s.
To Borrow, To Keep
Still from: “To Borrow, To Keep”
Availability (On-Demand): November 1, 2020 12:00am – November 9, 2020 at 11:00pm
Duration: 11 minutes
Directed by: Chanelle Wang and Victoria Park
This short film tells the story of a family guarding one man’s gambling addiction. As they struggle with confronting his vice, the film explores whether the family secret should stay buried.
See also: Being brave and bold with Victoria Park of The Flash
Beyond the Dream
Still from “Beyond the Dream”
Availability (On-Demand): November 1, 2020 12:00am – November 9, 2020 at 11:00pm
Duration: 119 minutes
Directed by: Kiwi Chow
The closing screening of the festival is a Hong Kong film about the unlikely relationship between a recovering schizophrenic who yearns for love and a counsellor with hidden secrets.
Model Minority Myth on Film
Availability: November 8, 2020 at 2:00pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Moderator: Su-Anne Yeo
Live Panel: Li Dong (Director/Producer – Stealing School), Hui Tong (Director/Producer – Curtain Up!) and Kelly Ng (Director/Producer – Curtain Up!)
This moderated live panel will explore how the use of stereotypical Asian images in Hollywood have perpetuated the Model Minority Myth, harming both Asian Canadian and Asian American communities as well as other communities of colour.
Not every event will take place on the small screen! To kick things off, the festival will host a special Halloween screening on opening night. For the premiere, VAFF will bring just 50 (physically distanced) lucky individuals together at the Cineplex Odeon at International Village to watch a spooky horror mystery on the scariest night of the year.
There will also be a feature series that sheds light on identity and Asian diaspora, a documentary series featuring two Asian-American films, as well as a series of 35 shorts – several of which are award winning! Many of the films will be screening for the first time in Canada, and as some of the content is exclusive to VAFF, you won’t see it anywhere else.
When it’s time for a break from watching all the films, don’t forget to check out the panels! This year, VAFF will not only be hosting the Filmmakers Talk Q&A and VAFF Industry Panels, there will also be a couple of Elimin8Hate panels to catch as well.
The new video-on-demand format will also allow audiences to hear behind-the-scenes insights through exclusive interviews with filmmakers. Some films and events are only available for live screenings, while others will be available to view any time during the festival, so be sure to double-check the schedule when you’re checking out the lineup!
Learn more about VAFF and get your tickets at https://festival.vaff.org/2020/.
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