The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is returning to the city to highlight Asian voices and celebrate diversity in film.
On Wednesday, the festival announced this year’s programming lineup and its chosen film for opening night.
The 27th edition of the festival will open with Canadian filmmaker Fawzia Mirza’s debut feature The Queen of My Dreams. From Nov. 8 to 19, festival-goers can enjoy exceptionally diverse films from Canada as well as all over the world.
This year’s lineup includes 15 features and 57 shorts from Canada, India, Iran, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.
“The continued success and popularity of Asian cinema in Hollywood has brought our collective stories and experiences to the forefront, leading to significant growth in our community’s industry both abroad and in Canada,” Reel Asian Executive Director Deanna Wong said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We’re so proud to welcome audiences back to the festival, which aims to bridge cultural divides, inspire meaningful conversations, and celebrate Asian voices. There is a need for our stories now more than ever and we hope to continue offering a bigger and better festival each year,” she added.
Some features in this year’s programming include The Taste of Mango, Okiku and The World, Small Fry and In Flames, among others.
And when it comes to shorts programming, Let’s Be Friends, Unsung Voices 12, Emergence, and Under The Influence are among those included.
On Nov.18, the festival will be introducing its inaugural First Films event which will showcase three award-winning Asian Canadian filmmakers who will discuss the first films they’ve ever made. These films are Here I Am, Sunday Afternoon and Hacking ‘Til My Legs Fall Off.
For those who are looking for wholesome short films suitable for all ages, the festival will offer a number of appropriate short films as part of its Wee Asian programming. These include shorts such as Mon Ami, Eid Mubarak, Goro Goro and Hi Ading, among others.
Throughout the festival, Reel Asian will also present three thoughtful and creative multimedia experiences through their RA:X programme. This programme aims to engage audiences with interactive elements and innovative storytelling. Not only are the exhibitions free but its accompanying events are as well.
Additionally, there is a Reel Ideas conference that will welcome a number of esteemed industry professionals, such as screenwriters, producers, filmmakers and performers.
Tickets for the Reel Asian film festival go on sale on October 21.
