This year’s Reel Asian TIFF reception was buzzing with filmmakers, industry leaders, donors, and patrons all gathered to celebrate the brilliance and impact of pan-Asian storytelling at TIFF 2025. We were honoured to have distinguished guests including documentary filmmaker Ramona Diaz, award-winning producer Nina Yang Bongiovi, Sundance award-winning filmmaker Tony Bui, and actor-comedian Andrew Phung, alongside so many others from across the film community. We also welcomed Consul Tomohiro Ota of the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto, Henry Lee, the Honourary Consul General of Malaysia, and the Public Diplomacy Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea.
Several Reel Asian alumni who directed films in selection at TIFF were in attendance, including Mary Stephen (Palimpsest: the Story of a Name and Reel Asian’s 2023 Fire Horse Award recipient), Min Sook Lee (There Are No Words), Lloyd Lee Choi (Lucky Lu), Kid Koala (Space Cadet), and Kalainithan Kalaichelvan (Karupy).
Other alumni who worked on films in selection at TIFF that attended our reception include Kristina Wong (producer of 100 Sunset), James J. Yi (executive producer of Modern Whore), Soko Negash (producer of Healer), Shasha Nakhai (producer of Bots) and Iris Ng (cinematographer of There Are No Words).
The evening opened with inspiring remarks from Deanna Wong (our Executive Director) and Kelly Lui (our new Associate Director), Anita Lee (TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer and Reel Asian’s founder), David Magdael and Laarni Rosca Dacanay (Founder of the Asia Pacific Filmmakers Experience) Akash Saran and Chetan Mehta (MISAFF’s team), each emphasizing the strength of community and the importance of uplifting Asian creatives as they carve out space on the world stage.
This year, we were proud to present Kristina Wong and Jason Lee with lifelong Reel Asian Alumni Network (RAAN) memberships. Both have made lasting contributions in founding RAAN and shaping a space for alumni filmmakers to stay connected and supported. Their vision and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of pan-Asian Canadian storytellers.
A Rooftop Patio Filled With Special Guests
There were many faces of emerging and established filmmakers, creatives, producers, and film lovers. If you were present, you may have been caught in a photograph by our photographers Yi Shi and Yujie Wang! Check out our photos on Flickr from the reception to relive or simply experience the fun vibes.
In 2022, on our 25th anniversary, Reel Asian established the Fire Horse Award to recognize trailblazers in our media arts community. Thanks to the generous support of Sandra Oh, Helen Ha-kyung Song, Lap Chan, and Pan Asia Food Co. Ltd., this $25,000 annual prize continues to uplift Asian Canadian creatives breaking barriers for the next generation.
We were honoured to have three Fire Horse recipients with us that evening: filmmaker Keith Lock, documentarian and academic Ali Kazimi, and Mary Stephen, who used part of her award to finish her latest film, Palimpsest: The Story of a Name, which premiered at TIFF this week.
Big Thank You
We couldn’t have done this reception without the support and love we received. Reel Asian is able to consistently provide a space for Asian filmmakers, creatives, and film lovers because of the sponsors and event partners who support and believe in us.
We would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, the Province of Ontario, Toronto Arts Council, Telefilm Canada, and Ontario Creates for their year-round support.
Thank you as well to our cohosts, the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience (APFE) and Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF); and our Hospitality Partners, Karahi Boys, Tita Flips, Gong Cha, Grüvi, CHOYA provided by Ozawa Canada, So&So, and Masala Spirits for making the event possible.
None of this could be possible without our community who always shows up, so thank you to all our guests who attended our reception as well.
