fbpx

Wee Asian

Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, U.K., USAEnglish and Various Languages Action, Animation, Comedy, Dance, Experimental, Family, Family-friendly, Open Captions, Reel Asian Award Winner, Women Filmmakers

Free programming dedicated to sparking joy, creativity, and fun for little ones and families to enjoy together. Short film selection includes winner of Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020 ISLE OF CHAIR.

*New* colouring sheets added!
Party by Moe Pramanick
Awards by Moe Pramanick

CREATE:


Now available on Reel Asian’s YouTube channel

Get your creativity on with these pre-recorded short and sweet arts activities led by our line-up of local artists!
All selections are made accessible with closed captions. Click on YouTube’s “CC” icon to turn on captions.

Sam Dizon

Storyteller and origami artist Sam Dizon shows multiple ways one can play with and fold paper.

Anne Koizumi

Create your own self or family portrait with animator and arts-educator Anne Koizumi.

PUFF Paddy

Transform coffee filters into art with queer Asian-Canadian multidisciplinary artist and arts educator, PUFF Paddy.

Sennah Yee

Author of My Day with Gong Gong (Annick Press), Sennah Yee shares a map making activity with her little sister and Early Child Educator, Quincy Yee.

WATCH: Short Films

A collection of shorts filled with wonder, love, and pure excitement that will surely resonate with audiences of all ages.

Emma Momoko Frew Profile Image

Canada20203 minutesNo DialogueAnimation, Comedy, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

No matter what she tries, a bunny witch can’t seem to get her vegetable-themed broomstick to fly.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Forest City Film Festival, 2020
The Short Film Festival, 2020

Directors Bio

Emma Momoko Frew

Emma Momoko Frew is a recent graduate of the Sheridan Animation program, she is currently working in the animation industry as a storyboard artist.

Justin Bruce Lee Profile Image

USA20206 minNo DialogueCanadian PremiereAction, Animation, Family, Family-friendly

Rated G

The pressure is on for Arthur to prove himself to his father at an upcoming martial arts competition.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Asian Film Festival LA, 2020
IndieX Film Fest, 2020
Silicon Valley Asian Film Festival, 2020

Directors Bio

Justin Bruce Lee

Justin Bruce Lee graduated from San Jose State University majoring in animation/illustration with a focus on storyboarding. He is currently an associate storyboard artist for Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Ivyy Chen Profile Image

Taiwan, U.K.20206 minutesNo dialogueAnimation, Experimental, Family-friendly, Reel Asian Award Winner, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

Gentle and mindfully aware, this contemplative animation wonders what happens when a chair falls on a secluded island.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTION
TAIS Animation Showcase, 2020
Encounters Film Festival, 2020

AWARDS
Best Animation, Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival, 2020
Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020

Directors Bio

Ivyy Chen

Originally from Tainan, Taiwan, Ivyy Chen is an animation director and illustrator, currently living in London where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration Animation at Kingston University.

Jinuk Choi Profile Image

South Korea, USA20203 minNo DialogueCanadian PremiereAnimation, Family-friendly

Rated G

At night the magic happens when a wheelchair races against other toys in the hospital hallway.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Bucheon International Animation Film Festival, 2020
Spark Animation Film Festival, 2020
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, 2020

Directors Bio

Jinuk Choi

Jinuk Choi is a Korean filmmaker & artist based in New York City. Choi is interested in depicting the world from a child’s point of view and hopes his animations could bring people joy and happiness.

Angeline Vu, Arlene Bongco Profile Image

USA20206 minNo dialogueCanadian PremiereAnimation, Family, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

Combining 2D animation with stop-motion, Felt Love is a touching story about the love between a mother and son.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Moscow Shorts, 2020
San Jose International Short Film Festival, 2020
 
AWARDS
Best Animated Short, Changing Face International Film Festival, 2020

Directors Bio

Angeline Vu, Arlene Bongco

Angeline Vu draws inspiration from her mom, three cats, and her jungle of a backyard, and is interested in both fairy tales and family tales.

Heartwarming narratives and handmade crafts inspire Arlene Bongco, who’s interested in exploring different roles in animation.

Beff Profile Image

South Korea201925 minNo Dialogue, Korean with English SubtitlesNorth American PremiereComedy, Dance, Family-friendly, Open Captions

Rated G

Bursting with joy and fantastic dance sequences, you’ll be sure to find yourself tapping along with Yuwol as he inspires (or infects) others to dance.

Cast

Sim Hyun-Seo

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Busan International Short Film Festival, 2019
Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, 2019
Seoul Independent Film Festival, 2019

Directors Bio

Beff

Born in Seoul, Beff (aka Byungyun Lee) grew up in the States making home movies with his 8mm camcorder, writing songs for piano, and drawing cartoons.

Bonus content!

Tony Kim of CBC Kids chats with our Wee Asian filmmakers about their films. Included with the Wee Asian Shorts Programme on the CineSend Reel Asian portal.

Tony Kim
CBC Kids Host

Tony Kim is an actor, voice actor and current host of CBC Kids and The Studio K Show. He has always had a passion for performing and entertaining and the bustling acting scenes in both Vancouver (where he was born and raised) and Toronto (where he currently based) has undoubtedly continued to stoke that fire! As a lover of film and the theatrical arts, he is not only thrilled that asian representation in media is increasing, but is proud that he is part of that equation and hopefully inspiring younger POC to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

12 Nov, 2020 10:00 am

to 19 Nov, 2020 11:59 pm

Check out the Wee Asian short films on the CineSend Reel Asian portal:

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKET

Sponsor

Community Partner

Community Supporter

You May Also Like...

No recommended event under this criteria

Isle of Chair

Taiwan, U.K.20206 minutesNo dialogueAnimation, Experimental, Family-friendly, Reel Asian Award Winner, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

Gentle and mindfully aware, this contemplative animation wonders what happens when a chair falls on a secluded island.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTION
TAIS Animation Showcase, 2020
Encounters Film Festival, 2020

AWARDS
Best Animation, Eurasia International Monthly Film Festival, 2020
Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020

Director Bio

Ivyy Chen

Originally from Tainan, Taiwan, Ivyy Chen is an animation director and illustrator, currently living in London where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration Animation at Kingston University.

12 Nov, 2020 10:00 am

to 19 Nov, 2020 11:59 pm

REGISTER FOR FREE TICKET

Collective Memory

Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, U.K., USA66 minEnglish and various languages with English SubtitlesAnimation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Family, Reel Asian Award Winner, Women Filmmakers

Each of these extraordinary films call upon the act of remembrance as important and timely work for community care, knowledge, and abundance. Includes winners of Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020 I BOUGHT A TIME MACHINE and I DREAM OF VANCOUVER. 

The Fourfold

Alisi Telengut Profile Image

Canada, Germany20207 minMongolian with English subtitlesAnimation, Documentary, Family, Open Captions, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

Steadily narrated by the director’s grandmother, The Fourfold imbues an indigenous worldview and wisdom based on the ancient shamanic rituals and animistic beliefs in Mongolia and Siberia.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2020
Ottawa International Animation Festival, 2020
Vancouver International Film Festival, 2020

Directors Bio

Alisi Telengut

Alisi Telengut is a Canadian artist of Mongolian descent. She creates animation frame by frame under the camera, with painting as the medium, to generate movement and explore hand-made and painterly visuals.

Haruwal

GurJeevaan Singh BalRose Profile Image

India, Singapore2019 9 minEnglish and Punjabi with English subtitlesWorld PremiereDocumentary, Family, Open Captions

Rated PG

At 62, Samriti visits her late father’s home in Amritsar, India - a place that only existed in retellings of the past - for the very first time.

Director Bio

GurJeevaan Singh BalRose

GurJeevaan Singh BalRose enjoys storytelling because it’s a powerful tool to bring people together and evoke emotions. He hopes to make more films about Sikh history and culture in Singapore and India.

Trails

Chris Nguyen Profile Image

USA2019 5 min English and Vietnamese with English SubtitlesInternational Premiere Documentary, Experimental, Family, Open Captions

Rated PG

“Where do you want to start?” The relationship between mother and son, uttered and silent, what’s known and forgotten, archival footage and public spaces are strewn into this affecting elliptical portrait of Orange County’s Little Saigon touching upon the history of war, displacement, and colonialism.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, 2019

Directors Bio

Chris Nguyen

Chris Nguyen is a documentarian & community builder based in Los Angeles. He is currently a production coordinator on Equal, and volunteers with A-Doc, the Asian American Documentary Network.

I Bought a Time Machine

Yeon Park Profile Image

South Korea, USA202015 minEnglish and Korean with English subtitlesToronto Premiere Documentary, Family, Open Captions, Women Filmmakers

Rated PG

What does it take to open conversation and unpack your family’s past? Playful and unabashed, director Yeon Park sets off to do so by purchasing a time machine off eBay.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Visions du Réel, 2020
DOXA Documentary Film Festival, 2020
San Diego Asian Film Festival, 2020

AWARD
Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020

Directors Bio

Yeon Park

Yeon Park is a filmmaker from Seoul, Korea, who continued her studies at Stanford. Her ultimate goal as a filmmaker is to make documentaries that encourage empathy through capturing people’s emotions.

I Dream of Vancouver

Warren Chan Profile Image

Canada20207 minEnglishDocumentary, Experimental, LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Reel Asian Award Winner

Rated PG

I Dream of Vancouver interrogates alienation from the lived experience of spaces as they are subsumed by algorithms and mediated images, linking corporate technologies and gentrification with the erasure of populations that don’t fit Google’s agenda.

Recognitions

AWARDS
Winner of Air Canada Short Film or Video Award, Reel Asian 2020.

Directors Bio

Warren Chan

Warren Chan is an MA student at York University, where he researches usage of A.I. generated images in experimental cinema. Outside of his studies, he also interrogates the role of new media technologies in film and video.

Farming Slowly

Anthony Newen Profile Image

USA2019 8 minEnglishInternational Premiere Documentary, Family-friendly

Rated G

Learning from and caring for the land she farms on, Catherine Nguyen owns two-thirds of an acre by herself growing and selling annual vegetables while challenging the industrialization of food in Portland, Oregon.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SCREENINGS
Oregon Documentary Film Festival, 2020
DC Asian Pacific American Film, 2020

Directors Bio

Anthony Newen

Anthony Newen started making films when he got bored of doing magic tricks and needed a new hobby. He now makes films telling stories that deal with themes of love, loneliness, place, identity, and sometimes a bit of comedy to keep things lighthearted.

AMA: Women of the Sea

Georgie Yukiko Donovan Profile Image

Japan, U.K.2019 15 minEnglish and Japanese with English SubtitlesCanadian PremiereDocumentary, Open Captions, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

A breathtaking and touching documentary alerting the urgency to care for our habitats and preserve the incredible knowledge of the Ama, a tradition of women divers spanning over thousands of years in Japan, weaving the director’s personal connection to it all.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, 2020
The People’s Film Festival, 2020
Under Wire Festival, 2019

Directors Bio

Georgie Yukiko Donovan

Georgie Yukiko Donovan is a Japanese-English documentary filmmaker with a multidisciplinary approach inspired by a diverse background in theatre, television and film.

12 Nov, 2020 10:00 am

to 19 Nov, 2020 11:59 pm

BUY STUDENT • SENIOR • ARTS WORKER • UN(DER)WAGED TICKETS

Community Partner

ASL Interpretation provided at live Q&A by
Toronto Sign Language Interpreter Service

Live online Q&A with special guests

Join us in conversation with directors and special guests in attendance! ASL interpretation will be made available thanks to Toronto Sign Language Interpreter Services. Ticket holders can watch on the CineSend Reel Asian portal.

November 17, 2020 at 11:30AM

You May Also Like...

No recommended event under this criteria

AMA: Women of the Sea

Japan, U.K.2019 15 minEnglish and Japanese with English SubtitlesCanadian PremiereDocumentary, Open Captions, Women Filmmakers

Rated G

A breathtaking and touching documentary alerting the urgency to care for our habitats and preserve the incredible knowledge of the Ama, a tradition of women divers spanning over thousands of years in Japan, weaving the director’s personal connection to it all.

Recognitions

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, 2020
The People’s Film Festival, 2020
Under Wire Festival, 2019

Director Bio

Georgie Yukiko Donovan

Georgie Yukiko Donovan is a Japanese-English documentary filmmaker with a multidisciplinary approach inspired by a diverse background in theatre, television and film.

12 Nov, 2020 10:00 am

to 19 Nov, 2020 11:59 pm

BUY STUDENT • SENIOR • ARTS WORKER • UN(DER)WAGED TICKETS
Open Tickets Cart