Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2024 (VAFF)
November 7 – 17, 2024
https://2024festival.vaff.org
VAFF 2024: 2SLGBTQ+ INTEREST FILMS
Extremely Unique Dynamic
(Opening Film. Narrative Feature)
Thursday, November 7 | 6:30 pm | International Village Cineplex Theatre
Dirs. Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, Katherine Dudas | Canada/USA | 67 min.
FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE (Q&A)
Extremely Unique Dynamic tells the story of two best friends testing the limits of their friendship while making a triple-meta movie during their final weekend together. ONLINE
Blue Sunshine
(Centerpiece Spotlight Film, Narrative Feature)
Saturday, Nov. 9 | 6:30 pm | International Village Cineplex Theatre
Dir. Samyuktha Vijayan | India | 98 min.
Canadian Premiere
"Aravind, a high school teacher in South India, wants to transition from male to female. Aravind’s parents do not know that Aravind is transitioning and force a marriage upon him. Aravind starts to live as a woman named Bhanu and deals with post-transition issues. ONLINE
DALE
(US Documentary – Music Related, Short)
Saturday, November 9 | 2:15 pm| International Village Cineplex Theatre
Dir. Justin Streichman | USA | 9 min.
Western Canadian Premiere
In a field dominated by white men, Dale Hikawa was the first Asian woman to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic, becoming acting principal of the viola section, paving new roads as a Japanese-American musician. Looking back on her career, this trailblazing violist reflects on the meaning of her life’s work. ONLINE
Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement
(US Documentary – Music Related, Documentary Feature)
Saturday, November 9 | 2:15 pm| International Village Cineplex Theatre
Dirs. Tadashi Nakamura, Quyên Nguyen-Le | USA | 60 min
Canadian Premiere
After decades of cultural work uniting communities and setting the bar for Asian-American storytelling, Miyamoto reflects on a life that bridged coasts, industries, families, and history. Featuring rare archival footage, Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement is a community story told through the life of one of its beloved storytellers. ONLINE
And Cut!
(Web Series Sportlight)
Friday, November 8 | 9:30 pm| International Village Cineplex Theatre
Dir. Arjun Chatterjee | India | 30 min
Vancouver Premiere
A tiny film production house in the heart of Bollywood navigates everyday challenges while struggling under the leadership of an excitable, eccentric director, and a sharp-tongued, openly queer producer. All while being filmed by a documentary crew. ONLINE
2SLGBTQ+ INTERNATIONAL SHORTS PROGRAM
Saturday, Nov 16 | 2:00 PM| Scotiabank Cineplex Theatre
ONLINE
The Nape
Dir. Yura Kim | South Korea | 25 min
Canadian Premiere
Da-ye quits her job as a teacher and returns to her hometown. She begins to help her mother, when she comes across a student who is two months behind in his payments.
Diana
Dir. Luo-Bing Pan | USA | 15 min
Western Canadian Premiere
A young Chinese trans woman navigates through a fraudulent marriage and a very turbulent friendship as a recent immigrant in the United States of America
When the Summer Ends
Dir. Tianyuan He | China | 29 min
World Premiere
An old man saves a troubled teenager from a suicide attempt, leading them to form an unexpected bond. As they share secrets, they embark on a journey of self-discovery that empowers them to confront their fears and pursue their desires.
Blue Boy
Dir. Nik Dodani | USA | 15 min
Canadian Premiere
After experiencing an otherworldly vision, an inquisitive Indian-American boy convinces himself that he’s the reincarnation of the Hindu god Krishna. Turns out he’s just gay.
Three
Dir. Amie Song | USA | 15 min
Canadian Premiere
At a home gathering, a Chinese woman who has recently moved to the United States to live with her daughter tries to keep her daughter’s secrets from her new friends
