Canada, Philippines320028 minMusic

A fly-on-the-wall look at the early days of R&B group Kuya as they perform for New York’s top labels.

Canada, Philippines2006105 minutesEnglishDrama, Music

Inspired by age-old Filipino folklore, this frightening thriller is a chilling story about the resurfacing of dark family secrets. When word arrives that grandmother Lola has died, Johnny and his sister Anna travel back to the Philippines to learn that they’ve inherited the matriarch’s country estate. They begin to realize that not only is the farm haunted by Lola’s ghost, but also deeply connected to perilous supernatural forces.

With no way out, Johnny must call upon Lola’s legendary lessons to vanquish monsters and ultimately save his family from doom. Featuring an almost entirely Canadian cast, this modern-traditional horror flick breathes some fresh Filipino life into the genre.

– Heather Keung

Canada2022120 minEnglishCanadian PremiereDrama, Music

Romeo Candido’s latest musical foray Topline takes us into the world of topliners: the people who write the lyrics, melodies, and hooks for the industry’s biggest stars. Tala is a reclusive singer-songwriter whose alter ego is named Illisha. When Tala is discovered by and joins a hitmaking team of topliners, she must secretly follow her passion while dealing with her family’s grief over their mother’s passing. And in the process, Tala just might find her voice. Topline features many of Candido’s hallmarks: dramatic, funny, and touching, with an amazing soundtrack. This web series has something for everyone. Featuring emerging talent from across the Greater Toronto Area, the Topline cast will perform its songs live, for a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Directors Bio

Romeo Candido is a CSA winner and proud Filipino Canadian story teller with experience in film, television, theatre, documentary and advertising.  Recent credits include writing / directing a film for the NBA called SHORTY, directing on S29 of THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, directing two episodes of the upcoming CIRCUIT BREAKERS for Apple TV and writing an episode of the hit comedy SON OF A CRITCH.  He is currently the co-showrunner of S8 of popular dance series The Next Step for CBBC and YTV.  His ten part musical series TOPLINE, which he serves as creator, writer, director and composer premiered to rave reviews on CBC Gem March 31 2022.  His original musical PRISON DANCER will  have its world premiere as a stage musical at the Citadel Theatre in spring of 2023.

Canada202212 minutesEnglish, Cantonese with English Subtitles World PremiereFamily, Music, Women Filmmakers

Following her grandfather’s death in China during the pandemic, Ai is forced to confront her depression, the silences in her home, and her parents’ unsung frustrations—including the ancestor ghosts now possessing them.

Directors Bio

Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li

Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li is a queer writer, director, musician, and interdisciplinary artist. A third-year MFA candidate at the UBC School of Creative Writing, her first chapbook will be released in fall 2022, and she is working on her thesis novel engaging with Chinese philosophy themes. In Silence, We Sing is her debut short film.

Canada20214 min English World PremiereFamily-friendly, Music, Romance, Women Filmmakers

Sweet Memories is an ode to nostalgic memories of childhood crushes, featuring the 1977 Hawaiian track “Lihue” by Nohelani Cypriano.

Accessibility

  This presentation has closed captions.

Directors Bio

Jessica JM Wu

Jessica JM Wu is a director and producer based in Toronto. She wrote, directed, and produced her first short film, White Dragon, in 2019. Wu is currently represented for commercial work at Undivided Creative

Canada20214 min Tagalog with English subtitlesLGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Music, Women Filmmakers

Commissioned by the Polaris Music Prize to honour the 2020 shortlist nomination of Pantayo’s self-titled debut, Huwag Mataranta! follows BB, who finds her power in a mystical night market run by figures of Filipino folklore.

Directors Bio

Tricia Hagoriles

Tricia Hagoriles is an award-winning, Toronto-based filmmaker who received the inaugural Inside Out + OUTtv Outspoken Documentary Financing Fund for her upcoming work, The Archivist.

Canada, China, Malaysia, Singapore, USA202174 minEnglish, Mandarin with English subtitles, JapaneseAnimation, Comedy, Fantasy, Horror, LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Music, Women Filmmakers

Delectably genre-bending, this programme serves up a seven-course meal that will surely leave you questioning whether you were even hungry to begin with.

South Korea20203 minKorean with English subtitlesAnimation, Music, Women Filmmakers

One night, Seolgi is lying on a grass field with friends when a shooting star falls and dark intrusive thoughts hit her, bursting with movement and blooming bright colours.

Accessibility

This presentation has English subtitles.

 An Active Listener will be available to offer one-on-one peer support for viewers who may find the content of this presentation triggering. More info on how to access here.

Content Warning:

This film contains the potentially triggering topic of suicide.

Directors Bio

Sasha Lee

Sasha Lee directs and animates short films that explore the connection between humans, using dramatic motion and vibrant colors. During her free time, she writes idiosyncratic songs that make her happy.

USA202134 minEnglishFamily-friendly, Music

Dokkaebi (Korean goblins) watch our deeds and may choose to help or punish us accordingly. This Short/Documentary/Music Video explores different aspects of Dokkaebi via original music that incorporates a mix of traditional Korean drumming with rock, jazz, and turntables.

Directors Bio

Dan Lee

Dan Lee is a Korean American musician known as a member of the indie rock band The Aislers Set and his own band, Scrabbel.

Japan20217 minEnglish, Japanese with English subtitlesCanadian PremiereAnimation, Family-friendly, Music

Inspired by the 12th- to 13th-century Japanese picture scroll Bird and Beast Character Caricature, this animation presents one unfolding scroll featuring Japanese and English wordplay through marine animals.

Directors Bio

Koji Yamamura

Koji Yamamura is an award-winning animator and a ​​professor at the Tokyo University of the Arts who began his artistic practice at the age of 13.