Accessibility
This presentation has no captions.
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.
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.
10 Nov, 2021
to 19 Nov, 2021
GA
This presentation has no captions.
Monica (Sujata Day), a former spelling-bee champion, lives at home with her ailing mother and tutors young spelling-bee hopefuls whose parents hover around, in hopes that their children will follow in her footsteps. When she is offered a dream job in another city, she considers accepting it, until her estranged brother Sonny (Ritish Rajan) shows up unexpectedly, opening up old wounds and familial tensions.
At a top-ranking educational institution like Lowell High School in San Francisco, seniors are emotionally exhausted as they prepare for the rigorous application process to get accepted to one of their dream Ivy League universities.
Cafe owner Kato closes up shop on an ordinary night only to be interrupted by a voice from the TV: his own voice, two minutes in the future. As Kato investigates the strange occurrence, the night and time itself start to unravel. Kato’s friends and colleagues get enveloped into his time warp, and the results are hilarious, calamitous and existential.
USA202012 minEnglishToronto PremiereDrama, Family, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers
Aishwarya Narayanan clashes with her coach father and questions the meaning of success while vying for a spot at the prestigious National Spelling Bee.
This presentation has closed captions.
Amrita Singh
Born in Tamil Nadu, India, and raised in Hyde Park, Chicago, Amrita Singh is a writer and director with an MFA in filmmaking from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she later served as adjunct faculty.
USA20217 minEnglish, Cantonese with English subtitlesFamily, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers
In Los Angeles’s Chinatown, Sammi tries to help her parents keep their seafood restaurant afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This presentation has English subtitles.
Jane Chow
Jane Chow is a Los Angeles-based writer-director from Hong Kong. Her films and web series have screened at festivals worldwide, and she has directed commercials for TikTok, Tinder, as well as the Biden-Harris campaign.
Canada20214 minCantonese with English subtitlesWorld PremiereAnimation, Family, Family-friendly
Inspired by director Aiken Chau’s experiences at the dinner table, a fly wreaks havoc on a family's dinner at a restaurant.
Aiken Chau
Aiken Chau is a Chinese Canadian artist and animator who enjoys storytelling and creating characters. A graduate from the Sheridan College animation program, he experiments with animation of all mediums.
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.
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.
Canada20214 minNo dialogueAnimation, Family-friendly, LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Women Filmmakers
Set across three separate timelines, a couple struggle to openly love each other.
This presentation has no captions.
Sheryl Au
Sheryl Au is a Malaysian, born and raised in Singapore, who loves drawing and is pursuing a career in animation. Her aspirations have taken her to Sheridan College, where she has now graduated with a Bachelor of Animation from the school.
India202012 minMalayalam with English subtitlesAnimation, Family-friendly
Aisha believes it was the endless rain, while Ambadi insists it was the sea. Amid their bickering, three children embark on a quest to trace the origins of their village stream.
This presentation has English subtitles.
Balaram J
Balaram J is a writer, designer, and independent filmmaker from Kerala, India. He has created animation for the visionary filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery’s feature films Jallikattu (2019) and Churuli (2021).
Canada20213:00EnglishAnimation, Women Filmmakers
After losing his best friend, an elderly pug named Henry must depend on his owner for help.
Ann Marie Fleming
Ann Marie Fleming is an award-winning Canadian visual artist, writer, director, animator, and cross-platform media maker who works in a variety of genres (animation, experimental, documentary and drama) that often deals with themes of family, history, and memory.
Canada, India, Japan, USA2021English and various languages with English SubtitlesAnimation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Family-friendly, LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Music, Women Filmmakers
Fun and free, encounter a programming offering dedicated to celebrating creativity, wonder, and self-expression for audiences of all ages.
Canada20213:00EnglishAnimation, Women Filmmakers
After losing his best friend, an elderly pug named Henry must depend on his owner for help.
Ann Marie Fleming
Ann Marie Fleming is an award-winning Canadian visual artist, writer, director, animator, and cross-platform media maker who works in a variety of genres (animation, experimental, documentary and drama) that often deals with themes of family, history, and memory.
India202012 minMalayalam with English subtitlesAnimation, Family-friendly
Aisha believes it was the endless rain, while Ambadi insists it was the sea. Amid their bickering, three children embark on a quest to trace the origins of their village stream.
This presentation has English subtitles.
Balaram J
Balaram J is a writer, designer, and independent filmmaker from Kerala, India. He has created animation for the visionary filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery’s feature films Jallikattu (2019) and Churuli (2021).
Canada20214 minNo dialogueAnimation, Family-friendly, LGBTQ+ Filmmakers, Women Filmmakers
Set across three separate timelines, a couple struggle to openly love each other.
This presentation has no captions.
Sheryl Au
Sheryl Au is a Malaysian, born and raised in Singapore, who loves drawing and is pursuing a career in animation. Her aspirations have taken her to Sheridan College, where she has now graduated with a Bachelor of Animation from the school.
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.
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.
Canada20214 minCantonese with English subtitlesWorld PremiereAnimation, Family, Family-friendly
Inspired by director Aiken Chau’s experiences at the dinner table, a fly wreaks havoc on a family's dinner at a restaurant.
Aiken Chau
Aiken Chau is a Chinese Canadian artist and animator who enjoys storytelling and creating characters. A graduate from the Sheridan College animation program, he experiments with animation of all mediums.
USA20217 minEnglish, Cantonese with English subtitlesFamily, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers
In Los Angeles’s Chinatown, Sammi tries to help her parents keep their seafood restaurant afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This presentation has English subtitles.
Jane Chow
Jane Chow is a Los Angeles-based writer-director from Hong Kong. Her films and web series have screened at festivals worldwide, and she has directed commercials for TikTok, Tinder, as well as the Biden-Harris campaign.
USA202012 minEnglishToronto PremiereDrama, Family, Family-friendly, Women Filmmakers
Aishwarya Narayanan clashes with her coach father and questions the meaning of success while vying for a spot at the prestigious National Spelling Bee.
This presentation has closed captions.
Amrita Singh
Born in Tamil Nadu, India, and raised in Hyde Park, Chicago, Amrita Singh is a writer and director with an MFA in filmmaking from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where she later served as adjunct faculty.
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 13, 2020 at 8PM
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Back for a second year, join the Wee Asian Arts Channel for sweet and simple pre-recorded arts activities led by a line-up of talented local artists:
En Lai Mah
Transform stories into movement using a combination of Shaolin Kung Fu and contemporary dance with multidisciplinary performance artist, playwright, and choreographer En Lai Mah.
Rosena Fung
Author of Living with Viola Rosena Fung shows you how to draw and transform your favourite dumplings and other food items into cute, wacky characters.
Basil AlZeri
Visual artist and educator Basil AlZeri will show you how to both archive and achieve all your goals and aspirations.
From a pile of deteriorating 16 mm home movies from 1936 to 1951, a moving story emerges of a Chinese American family, set against the backdrop of race and class in Chicago.
So You Think You Can Pitch is back! Celebrate our 15th year of pitch competitions by supporting your favourite emerging filmmakers in our live event! Featuring a total of five finalist individuals or teams, the winner will walk away with our amazing prize package to kickstart or finish their short film, including a cash award, in-kind support, and the opportunity to premiere their work with us at next year’s festival!
Mi-yeon seems to be living the perfect life as a choirmaster and the wife of a successful man. In comparison, her sisters Hee-sook and Mi-ok seem to be miserable, making Mi-yeon frustrated. But in the shadow behind her perfect smile, Mi-yeon’s also suffering from the three sisters’ shared childhood trauma that they’ve yet to come to terms with.
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.
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.
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.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Forest City Film Festival, 2020
The Short Film Festival, 2020
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.
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.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Asian Film Festival LA, 2020
IndieX Film Fest, 2020
Silicon Valley Asian Film Festival, 2020
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Bucheon International Animation Film Festival, 2020
Spark Animation Film Festival, 2020
Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, 2020
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.
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.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Moscow Shorts, 2020
San Jose International Short Film Festival, 2020
AWARDS
Best Animated Short, Changing Face International Film Festival, 2020
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.
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.
Sim Hyun-Seo
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
Busan International Short Film Festival, 2019
Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, 2019
Seoul Independent Film Festival, 2019
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.
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:
Founded in Toronto in 1997, Reel Asian is Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival and a year-round cultural organization dedicated to championing Asian and Asian diasporic artists and storytellers. What began as a grassroots film festival has grown into a national platform supporting filmmakers and audiences through screenings, education, industry initiatives, artist development, and community programming presented across Toronto, the GTA, and online across Canada.
401 Richmond Street West, The Commons (Suite 448)
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3A8 Canada
(416) 703 – 9333
info@reelasian.com
Charitable number: 870021383RR0001
