In celebration of Asian Heritage Month this coming May, we are kicking off its Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon campaign with a special “Diversity in Filmmaking” panel series provided virtually from May 9 to June 6, 2020 (every Saturday at 2:00 pm) to better cope with the monumental change that the pandemic has brought the world and the film industry.

We want to acknowledge the current fight for social justice around the world.  We stand in solidarity with the Black community and its countless allies demanding justice in the wake of yet another tragic death at the hands of racism. Now is the time to change the course of the future. Now is the time to write the history of tomorrow in a way in which we may all be proud. Now is the time to speak up instead of staying silent.

We bring in a special edition panel to AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES IN BC FILM – Sat JUNE 13th, 2020 at  2pm.

Come spend an hour with us every Saturday to explore how CoVid-19 has impacted all aspects of filmmaking and filmmakers’ lives. Our creative producers Mayumi Yoshida, Nach Dudsdeemaytha and Joshua Lam, as well as producers Arnold Lim, Lynne Lee and Regina Leung will lead a panel discussion each week about different areas of film development and production and addressing issues arising in these unprecedented times.

Continue the discussion during the Q & A.

Sign up on line and Learn more about our upcoming news and events.

We go LIVE on the VAFF Facebook and YouTube page at 2:00 PM.

May 9, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAFFvancouver/videos/694549427816101/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdWED4C5fkc

May 16, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAFFvancouver/videos/271483207311509/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-w5sxgdXcI

May 23, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAFFvancouver/videos/289899355375331/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBYbcUzoqCU

May 30, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAFFvancouver/videos/1477980219047216/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBzWnSvuegA

June 6, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAFFvancouver/videos/667003330546469/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyCfkpp5ZQ4

June 13, 2020:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=603645970565037
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KwENLebqDm4

We welcome Mina Shum (Meditation Park, Double Happiness) and Tzi Ma (The Farewell, Mulan) for an intimate check-in on how they are adjusting to the age of isolation: working from home as artists, time management, maintaining their mental well-being. As a community, let’s engage through sharing our experiences, and perhaps after this, we’ll feel less alone.

With the current landscape evolving quickly, artists still find ways to push forward with their projects. Despite challengesHear from these filmmakers, what they’re working on now, and what challenges are ahead of them in this era of filmmaking.

With Vancouver being a hub for Animation Production, how does our city tackle Diversity in this industry? From all stages of the pipeline including Voice Acting to Character Design; we will be taking a deeper dive into the entertainment service that continues to run projects during these uncertain times.

In this rare opportunity to get up close and virtual with Domee to learn about her career as a Storyboard Artist and eventual Director, what has helped strengthen her filmmaking skills? We will aim to touch on heartfelt conversation of ideation through Storytelling: how does representation affect animation choices such as character design, shot choices, art direction etc.

The global pandemic has caused unexpected shifts in consumption patterns around the world. With movie theaters closed, productions halted, and film festivals being canceled or postponed, filmmakers need to find new ways of getting their projects in front of an audience. Join our special guests as they discuss the future of film exhibition and distribution.

We stand in solidarity with the Black community and its countless allies demanding justice in the wake of yet another tragic death at the hands of racism. Now is the time to change the course of the future. Now is the time to speak up instead of staying silent.

Please join our special guests Rukiya Bernard (Van Helsing) and Mariam Barry (Snowpiercer) Andy Hodgson (Woodland) Zach Lipovsky (FREAKS) Jem Garrard (Vagrant Queen) while we create a dialogue between showrunners/ decision makers and Black artists as they discuss the reality of working in BC film, tokenism in our industry, and how we can all truly feel like we belong.