As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of VAFF this year, we want to share the incredible moments that have lead us to where we are now. Our trip down memory lane continues with more key moments and milestones from 2002 to 2006.
Here are five more fun facts about VAFF!
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2002
One of VAFF’s main sponsorships involved a collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO) to promote their filmmakers and celebrate the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong’s repatriation. VAFF 2002’s Hong Kong spotlight featured films such as July Rhapsody by Ann Hui and Fruit Chan’s Hollywood Hong Kong.
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2003
The seventh VAFF’s opening night featured a full house with tickets completely sold out—many people had to be turned away at the door! CityTV was on site to film the entire opening night, including the Opening Gala which was held at the Lotus Lounge in the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
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2004
For the first time since VAFF’s inception, panel discussions were introduced alongside program screenings. The two panels respectively discussed the representation of the male image and stereotyping of the female image in film. The panel discussions aimed to educate the public at large as well as open up a wider opportunity for discourse among Asian filmmakers and the Asian community.
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2005
VAFF 9 brought some of North America’s top Asian filmmakers to the city. The 2005 festival opening gala began with the Canadian premiere of the Sundance Film Festival award-winning film, The Motel. Director and screenwriter Michael Kang also attended the festival and shared his experiences workshopping the screenplay.
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2006
One of VAFF’s main missions is to support and raise the profile of the talented Asian Canadians in Vancouver. The 10th annual VAFF was thrilled to have 14 incredible actors host each program for that year. Among the fantastic talents were ex-Hawaii Five-0 star Grace Park, Stargate Atlantis’s Edmond Kato Wong, and Taayla Markell, who you may have seen in Good Luck Chuck.
If you haven’t seen the first part of these series, check out our first Fun Facts series post here.
Author, Alexis Ocampo, Born in the Philippines, raised in Japan and Singapore, and having graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Alexis is now a Copywriter/Content Marketer with digital marketing agency BSTRO. She combines an international upbringing with a passion for social impact and storytelling.