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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
So You Think You Can Pitch? Live Finale

Closing out the 28th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, join us for the live So You Think You Can Pitch competition.

23 Nov. 5:00 pm

Reel Ideas
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 Dutta's life, the show unpacks family expectations, intergenerational relationships, and racial identity in ways rarely seen on Canadian TV. We’ll screen Episode 1: "Nudes" and Episode 4: "The Turban," offering a glimpse into Jasmeet’s complex journey as he navigates personal desires that go against familial pressures. Stick around to hear from the creative team about how Late Bloomer has landed in the community, and how it will continue to shape these conversations in real life.

17 Nov. 10:00 am

Reel Ideas
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. Set in Scarborough, Ont., the film captures the area's multicultural essence and reflects on identity, place, and personal growth through rich, site-specific details. 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. As a family story, SHOOK presents a narrative that showcases the beauty of everyday life, balancing complex personal narratives with broader cultural commentary. By examining Wala’s experience with Shook, we'll shed light on how an honest love letter to a city and its diverse communities can be crafted.

14 Nov. 5:30 pm

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