In celebration of Asian Heritage Month this coming May, VAFF is kicking off its “Lunch & Learn” Industry Insight panel series (provided virtually from April to May, 2021), which will focus on underrepresented communities in the film industry.

The series will be geared toward providing insight and insider perspectives for aspiring and current filmmakers of diverse backgrounds, and those in the industry who aim to work with diverse representation both in front of and behind the camera.

This program is generously sponsored by Canada Media Fund (CMF).  Other sponsors include Canadian Media Producer Association (CMPA) and more.  It’s also supported by Community Organizations: ExplorAsian – Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, Vancouver Short Film Festival and Story Money Impact.

Come join us and explore various aspects of storytelling, creating and filmmaking.  Our creative producers Mayumi Yoshida, Nach Dudsdeemaytha, Joshua Lam, Arnold Lim,and Lynne Lee, as well as Director Regina Leung, will lead the panel discussions.

There will be a Q&A period after each session.

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All registrants will get a chance for a lucky draw to win a ticket to the VAFF Industry Insight Panel Series – November 2021 Film Festival.

All of the sessions will broadcast live on VAFF Facebook.

Session 4
Dive Deep into the CMF pilot program for racialized creators
May 28, 2021 (Friday) 12:30 pm (PST) | 3:30 pm (EST)

Session 5
“Creators Making it in Vancouver”  co-presented by BIPOC TV
May 28, 2021 (Friday) 4:00 pm (PST) | 7:00 pm (EST)

Session 6
Dialogue with the cast of Kung Fu
May 29,  2021 (Saturday) 12:00 pm (PST) | 3:00 pm (EST)

Session 7
Moving from Shorts to Features!
May 29,  2021 – Saturday 2:00 pm (PST) | 5:00 pm (EST)

Moving from Shorts to Features! From differences in marketing strategies, focus points for audiences, the creative scope of the script and producing budget; what are the hurdles Directors and Writers face when moving on from Short Form to Long Form Filmmaking?

Recap: https://youtu.be/uc_FHrQqMdU

We are excited to announce our special guests in this panel:  Olivia  Liang, Kheng Hua Tan, Tzi Ma, Vanessa Kai, Yvonne Chapman Moderated by, Lynne Lee (MAMM Director).

Recap: https://youtu.be/ZQ_qUwu1J20

VAFF and BIPOC TV & Film are co-presenting a conversation with diverse creators to talk about working in the industry and the journey of making it in Vancouver.

Recap: https://youtu.be/ZYzYQwvzCcM

What and How to Canada Media Fund (CMF) newly pilot program for Racialized Communities. This presentation will be followed by a Q&A period.

Recap: https://youtu.be/QzUhC0ZHMSY

Our unique showrunners talked about the unique challenges for BIPOC / Diverse backgrounds in the industry, how do you ensure authenticity in a culturally diverse team and addressing the culture shift that they are experiencing.

We are excited to announce our special guests in this panel: Alexander Woo (The Terror), Christina Kim (Kung Fu), Jennica Harper (JANNl) and Tze Chun (Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai), Moderated by Kashif Pasta (Welcome to Surrey), the discussion will be followed by a Q&A period.

Recap: https://youtu.be/FuH4l3gMjgY

Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for 3 on 1 session – 5 sessions in total (15 spots)  to meet with CMF analysts (Monica Keen , Nava Rastagar). Guiding you through how to prepare and access funding from CMF programs.

Sign up HERE to reserve your spot.

Intro to Canada Media Fund (CMF),  a high level overview of all the funding programs for Convergent Stream (Television and Digital Media Content) and Experimental Stream (Games, VR, AI, Webseries) offered by Canada Media Fund (CMF)  and how BIPOC / Diverse community creators can access them. This presentation will be followed by a Q&A period.

Recap: https://youtu.be/Kpvw_XeIY8s