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.
Space Cadet tells the story of Robot, a guardian programmed to protect Celeste, the sweetest astronaut on this (or any) planet. When Celeste embarks on a solo mission into the vast unknown, Robot is left behind, grappling with loneliness and the passage of time. As Celeste faces unforeseen challenges in space, memories of her childhood with Robot resurface, revealing the deep emotional bond they share.
This tomorrow-days lullaby is not just about outer space adventures. It also delves into themes of aging, destiny, and the significance of our memories.
Don’t miss this opportunity to travel the richly textured, imaginative world of Space Cadet and explore its journey.
Kid Koala
Director
Kid Koala is a Montreal-based scratch DJ, film composer, theatre producer and visual artist. He has released 5 solo albums, and contributed to several feature film soundtracks. He is known for his imaginative live productions, each of which expresses his unique form of storytelling with music, animation, film and interactive entertainment.
Lillian Chan
Head of Story and Production Designer
Lillian Chan is an experienced animation filmmaker known for her work on various projects, including the award-winning children’s film Jaime Lo, Small and Shy (NFB, 2007), an educational short for TEDed, and a VR prototype for the CFC Medialab. Her commercial clients include DisneyXD, Nelvana, Guru Studios, and Mozilla. Lillian serves as professor of animation at Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto.
Corinne Merrell
Artistic Director
Corinne Merrell creates work as an art director for film, stop-motion animation and theatre. Credits include stop-motion art director on the animated feature The Little Prince, as well as production designer on the National Film Board’s The Fruit Hunters. Ongoing works with Kid Koala includeThe Storyville Mosquito and Nufonia Must Fall. Space Cadet is her first CG animated project.
21 Nov, 2024 7:00 pm
Hot Docs Ted Rogers CinemaTickets are required for this presentation, but tickets are free. Limit of 2 tickets. This event will have open seating – if your ticket says SPCDT Free, you may sit anywhere on the Floor level not specifically reserved; if your ticket says SPCDT Balcony Free, you may sit anywhere in the Balcony levels not specifically reserved.
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Wheelchair spaces and step-free seating is available for this event – click below to book accessible seats.
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
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
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
Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is a unique showcase of contemporary Asian cinema and work from Asia and the Asian diaspora. Works include films and videos by artists in Canada, the U.S., Asia and all over the world. As Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival, Reel Asian provides a public forum for Asian media artists and their work, and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada.
401 Richmond Street West, The Commons (Suite 448)
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Canada
(416) 703 – 9333
info@reelasian.com
Charitable number: 870021383RR0001
