The 14th annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival came to a close on Monday, November 15th, wrapping its biggest and most successful edition yet – bringing the best of Asian and Pan-Asian cinema to Toronto audiences who look forward to the festival’s unique programming.
While promoting cross-cultural exchange, the festival continued to push forward with a unique showcase of innovative films and videos. Presenting 50 films from 12 countries, enthusiastic audiences graced the festival everyday. Highlights include the opening night gala presentation of GALLANTS, the Canadian shorts program ON THE FLIP SIDE, centerpiece GOLDEN SLUMBER, the special commission SUITE SUITE CHINATOWN by Chinese Toronto-based directors on the theme of “Chinatown” including new music and a live performance by the Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School stage band, North American Premiere of TOILET and closing night screening of AU REVOIR TAIPEI.
Reel Asian’s fourth annual INDUSTRY SERIES created networking opportunities, industry dialogue and professional development for up-and-coming filmmakers and producers. Highlights include the panel with Clement Cheng (GALLANTS) at Munk Centre for International Studies, an Animation Master Class with Koji Yamamura (ATAMA-YAMA/MT. HEAD), Artist Talk with Arvin Chen (AU REVOIR TAIPEI) and the annual SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? LIVE COMPETITION. As Reel Asian continues to experience tremendous growth, the festival looks forward to many more years of excellence.
2010 REEL ASIAN AWARD WINNERS:
REEL ASIAN AUDIENCE AWARD
All feature films at the festival were eligible for this prize. The favourite feature film was chosen by the audience by secret ballot. ($500 cash prize)
The Reel Asian Audience Award goes to Naoko Ogigami for TOILET.
An independent jury comprised of distinguished members of the media arts community selected this year’s award winners. The Features Jury consisted of Jari Osborne, Marina Di Pancrazio, Darcy Murphy.
ASTRAL’S HAROLD GREENBERG FUND BEST FEATURE FILM OR VIDEO AWARD
All feature works were eligible for this prize. ($1,000 cash prize)
“This story of a beloved country doctor disguises itself as a gentle comedy before revealing itself as a provocative argument for the morality of an honorable lie.” – Jari Osborne
The Astral’s Harold Greenberg Fund Best Feature Film Award goes to Miwa Nishikawa for DEAR DOCTOR (Japan, 2009)
The Shorts Jury consisted of Randall Okita, Paul Wong, and Mishann Lau.
NFB BEST CANADIAN FILM OR VIDEO AWARD
All Canadian works were eligible for this prize. ($2,500 production budget prize towards the development of winner’s next project)
“The award goes out to an extraordinary work that combines home-movies, history and first person accounts. it is a journey of self-discovery that includes the voices of 4 generations of a Canadian family. Written, directed and edited by the filmmaker, he has taken the particular and has made it universal in both form and content.” – Paul Wong
The NFB Best Canadian Award goes to Jeff Chiba Stearns for ONE BIG HAPA FAMILY
WIFT-T AWARD
All films made by female GTA-based artists were eligible for this prize. ($1,200 programming pass, one-year membership and mentorship from WIFT-T and $1,000 rental credit at Videoscope.)
“This award goes to a feminist story that takes the viewer on an emotional and honest journey in which the filmmaker confronts her mother?s veiled past.” – Mishann Lau
THE WIFT-T AWARD goes to Jane Kim for SEEING THROUGH THE SPIDER?S WEB (Canada, 2009)
TRINITY SQUARE VIDEO VISIONARY VIDEO AWARD
All videos made by GTA-based artists are eligible for this prize. ($650 in TSV membership dues and services, $100 cash prize upon completion of new work made at Trinity Square Video.)
“This award goes to an important, timely work that freshly illuminated historical, political and personal struggles and brought a brilliant combination of research and innovation into the process of reclaiming our history.” – Randall Okita
The TSV Visionary award goes to Lesley Loksi Chan for REDRESS REMIX (Canada, 2010)
ANIMASIAN AWARD
All animated films and videos were eligible for this prize. The award was innitiated by director/animator Ann Marie Fleming, and is continues to grow as animators and animation lovers across the country make contributions to the growth and future of the award. ($500 cash prize)
“Combining multiple techniques, this filmmaker?s first film has a strong and original approach both technically and conceptually, tackling a complex issue with the lightness of freshly fallen Snow.” – Mishann Lau
The ANIMASION AWARD goes to Su-An Ng for NATURE ON IT?S COURSE (Canada, 2009)
LIFT AND FUJI BEST FILM AWARD
All films made by GTA-based artists were eligible for this prize. ($280 in LIFT membership dues and services, $500 credit towards LIFT equipment and facility rentals, workshops and courses, 5 rolls of Fuji 16mm film.)
“This award goes to a wonderfully rendered love letter to familial sacrifice and the struggle of new Canadian families.” – Randall Okita
The LIFT and Fuji best film award goes to Gloria Kim for THE AUCTION
MOVIEOLA BEST SHORT FILM OR VIDEO AWARD
All short films are eligible. ($300 cash prize and opportunity for broadcast on Movieola.)
“The award goes to a crash-bang distillation of pop genres. It is a seamless mash-up of live-action, drama, anime and manga that tells a classic story of revenge and poetic justice in which violence is deftly handled.” – Paul Wong
The Movieola Best Short Award goes to director Sol Friedman for JUNKO?S SHAMISEN
THE SO YOU THINK YOU CAN PITCH? AWARDS
This year’s pitch competition was a public event hosted by local artist Keith Cole. An audience of over 100 watched as 7 teams competed for more than $28,000 in services from Charles Street Video. The winners were chosen by the panel of jurors: Nobu Adilman, Eileen Arandiga, and Lila Karim.
CHARLES STREET VIDEO AND REEL ASIAN PITCH PROFESSIONAL ARTIST AWARD
The award winners receive $1,500 (cash), and a $5,000 production package from Charles Street Video (equivalent to $18,000 at industry rental rates).
The Pitch Professional Artist Award goes to Tricia Lee (Director), Ryan Reaney (Producer) for SEARCHING FOR WONDER
Synopsis: When a 12-year-old child prodigy, who lives in an adult world, discovers magic, he experiences a feeling of wonder which he has never felt before and goes on a journey to find what is missing in his life.
CHARLES STREET VIDEO AND REEL ASIAN PITCH EMERGING ARTIST AWARD
The award winners receive $1,500 (cash), and a $3,000 production package from Charles Street Video (equivalent to $10,000 at Industry rental rates).
The Pitch EMERGING ARTIST AWARD goes to Shahrzad Nakhai (Producer/Director) for SUGAR BOWL
Sypnosis: Sugar Bowl is a poetic portrayal of Negros Island, Philippines. Through a chorus of voices we hear the tragic story of its sugar cane industry through eras of Spanish and American colonization. Sugar Bowl crafts an eerie story of people living in the past and struggling to keep things as they once were.
*Information courtesy of VKPR Media Release.
*Images courtesy of Reel Asian International Film Festival.