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It’s no secret that filmmaking requires grit, stamina, and a whole lot of determination. Reel Ideas celebrates the behind-the-scenes perseverance that drive creators to follow their instincts and shape their stories.

Through presentations, works-in-progress, and panels, this year’s Reel Ideas will explore the creative choices Amar Wala made in transforming Shook from a short film to a full-length feature, Kid Koala’s years of collaboration in crafting a detailed animation like Space Cadet, as well as novel ways that artists have been doing justice to important subjects and traditions, in works such as Late Bloomer, The Last of the Sea Women, and Universal Language.

Featuring a range of industry professionals, from cinematographers to performers, this year’s programme highlights the various roles integral to following the north star in one’s artistic vision. Amidst the chaos of creation, where things never quite go as planned, we hope you can find what it is you want to persevere towards, and trust that your story will eventually find its audience and community.

CAN I GET A WITNESS?: Artist Talk with Ann Marie Fleming

Join us for an in-depth conversation about Ann Marie Fleming's CAN I GET A WITNESS?, Reel Asian's opening night film this year. This thought-provoking movie examines a near-future society grappling with climate change, mortality, and the value of life. Fleming draws inspiration from her personal experiences, including her time in Vancouver's West End and the environmental upheaval of Stanley Park.

THURS NOV 14 AT 2:30PM

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From Short to Feature: The Journey of SHOOK by Amar Wala

Fresh off its world premiere at TIFF, Amar Wala’s Shook serves as an ideal case study for filmmakers, particularly those transitioning from shorts to feature films. This panel explores the craft of the film, the intricate score, and the writing process, capturing a slice of life that local audiences can resonate with.

THURS NOV 14 AT 5:30PM

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LATE BLOOMER: Screening & Artist Talk

Sit in on this exclusive screening and deep dive of LATE BLOOMER, the groundbreaking series from the creative mind of Jasmeet Raina (Jus Reign). Centred on Jasmeet Singh’s life, the show unpacks family expectations, intergenerational relationships, and racial identity in ways rarely seen on Canadian TV.

SUN NOV 17 AT 10AM

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From Concept to Reality - Creators Share Strategies for Documentary

Join our panel of Producers and Directors as they break down the journey of transforming a concept into a compelling finished project. From the early stages of research, fundraising, and story development, to navigating production challenges and securing distribution, this discussion will cover the essential steps and strategies for bringing a documentary idea to life.

TUES NOV 19 AT 4:30PM

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CREATURA: A Journey Into The Unfamiliar

CREATURA is a multimedia cross-programming stream at the 28th Reel Asian Film Festival, spotlighting the strange, wild, and untamed — concepts historically used to marginalize. This session will explore how these concepts manifest through stories of endangered traditions and reimagined realities in THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN and UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE.

WED NOV 20 AT 4:30PM

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Music To Draw To

Join us for an evening of quiet time records! Kid Koala hosts a ``quiet time`` event, playing hours of his favorite music to work, draw, code, write or knit to. Bring your creative projects.

WED NOV 20 AT 7PM

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SPACE CADET: Behind the Animation - Work in Progress

Join us for an exclusive Work-In-Progress presentation of Space Cadet, a captivating animated film directed by Eric San (Kid Koala). Work-In-Progress events at Reel Asian give audience members a chance to explore the development stages of a piece of work.

THURS NOV 21 AT 7PM

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So You Think You Can Pitch? Live Finale

Join us for the live So You Think You Can Pitch competition at the 28th Reel Asian Film Festival! Watch the five finalists compete for an incredible prize package to help launch or complete their films. Come cheer on the next generation of talent and get inspired by the future of Asian Canadian cinema!

SAT NOV 23 AT 5PM

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Reel Ideas
Can I Get A Witness: Artist Talk with Ann Marie Fleming

Join us for an in-depth conversation about Ann Marie Fleming's CAN I GET A WITNESS?, Reel Asian's opening night film this year. This thought-provoking movie examines a near-future society grappling with climate change, mortality, and the value of life. Fleming draws inspiration from her personal experiences, including her time in Vancouver's West End and the environmental upheaval of Stanley Park.

14 Nov. 2:30 pm

Reel Ideas
CREATURA: A Journey Into The Unfamiliar

CREATURA is a multimedia cross-programming stream at the 28th Reel Asian Film Festival, spotlighting the strange, wild, and untamed — concepts historically used to marginalize. This session will explore how these concepts manifest through stories of endangered traditions and reimagined realities. The documentary THE LAST OF THE SEA WOMEN provides a vivid portrayal of South Korean fisherwomen preserving an ancient practice amidst modern developments. Meanwhile, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, set in a reimagined Canada where Farsi and French are official languages, presents a surreal world where societal norms are upended and loneliness is a common experience. Both films vividly embody the spirit of CREATURA by pushing the boundaries of human experience and challenging conventional perspectives.

20 Nov. 4:30 pm

Reel Ideas
SPACE CADET: Behind the Animation – “Work in Progress”

Join us for an exclusive Work-In-Progress presentation of SPACE CADET, a captivating animated film directed by Kid Koala. Work-In-Progress events at Reel Asian give audience members a chance to explore the development stages of a piece of work. In this session, we will hear insights from the creative team of SPACE CADET, including director Kid Koala, head of story and production designer Lillian Chan, and artistic director Corinne Merrell, who will guide us through the artistic process and illustrate how animation brings this heartfelt narrative to life.

21 Nov. 7:00 pm

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