Ana Serrano receives 2026 Fire Horse Award

On June 2, 2026, during Filipino Heritage Month, Reel Asian hosted its fifth annual Fire Horse Award Gala & Fundraiser, honouring award-winning producer, visionary leader, and innovator Ana Serrano, OCAD University’s President and Vice-Chancellor.

The event brought together artists, industry leaders, arts advocates, and community members to celebrate Serrano’s extraordinary contributions to Canada’s arts and creative industries.

Serrano’s career is defined by her unwavering commitment to building ecosystems where future generations can thrive. For more than two decades, she has expanded the boundaries of storytelling, technology, and leadership–creating opportunities for artists, students, cultural entrepreneurs, and innovators while reimagining the future of media.

During her acceptance speech, Serrano reflected on what the Fire Horse means to her:

“That is the fire I want to honour tonight: the kind that turns a gathering into a community, and a community into a force…The highest expression of Fire Horse energy is not domination or spectacle. It is the disciplined force that protects, gathers, creates and renews. When the road has no end, you keep walking. When others see one boat, you see a fleet. When there is no one yet, you build a space for everyone still to come. And when it would be easier to close the door, you leave it open. That is love. That is malasakit. That is what we all need to carry forward. So I receive this award with gratitude, humility and a deep sense of responsibility to the community that made it possible.”

Serrano’s remarks underscored a belief that has guided her career: that meaningful leadership is rooted in care, responsibility, and community, values reflected both in the work she has built and the support she has received throughout her career.

Reel Asian is proud to present the 2026 Fire Horse Award to Ana Serrano in recognition of her visionary leadership and lasting impact on Canada’s media and cultural industries. Through her work in storytelling, innovation, education, and cultural leadership, Serrano continues to influence Canada’s digital media landscape and create meaningful opportunities for artists. We honour her for the countless creators and projects she has supported and helped bring to fruition.

Our Inaugural Fire Horse Auction

This year’s Fire Horse Award Gala & Fundraiser marked the inaugural Fire Horse Auction, featuring more than 65 live and silent auction items, including limited-edition artwork, film memorabilia, community experiences, and unique city-wide offerings.

For three decades, Reel Asian has nurtured, advocated for, and spotlighted pan-Asian storytellers across Canada and around the world. In honour of our 30th anniversary, we set a goal to raise $300,000 in critical funds to sustain and expand our year-round initiatives beyond the annual festival.

Thanks to your support, we have raised $85,000 and counting at this year’s Gala.

If you would like to further your contribution, please consider donating to the Fire Horse Award, starting your own fundraiser using our “30 for 30” toolkit, or becoming a member. All funds support Reel Asian’s mission of championing Asian and Asian diasporic voices around the world.

Thank you to our Fire Horse donors and patrons, design partner Meat, print sponsor Printing Legacy, and hospitality partner Tita Flips, as well as Girl Love Fund and Lumière & Co. for supporting this event.

Shot by Ryan Ng, Lab0916 and Edited by Mike Jeff Wong

Watch Ana Serrano’s tribute video below.

Produced by Nobu Adilman & Byron Kent Wong

Watch Ana Serrano’s acceptance speech below.

View all speeches from the 2026 Fire Horse Award Ceremony here.

The Fire Horse Award honours an Asian Canadian individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the film and media arts community. It was established on the occasion of Reel Asian’s 25th Anniversary in 2021 in the name of Reel Asian founder Anita Lee, whose groundbreaking work and determination have made Reel Asian a staple in Canada’s festival landscape.