Commissioned Artists

This Commissioning Fund is a program that we have offered in our festival since its inception. We see this as an opportunity for artists to develop their creative voices through experimentation, collaboration and innovation. Through this fund, selected artists have been provided a small grant of up to $2000 towards production funds as well as facilitation and equipment resources through our festival partner Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society in Vancouver and Charles Street Video in Toronto. We are also excited to partner with The Scotia Bank Dance Centre which helps our artists with rehearsal space for throughout their process. 

Early 2018, Canadian artists were invited to apply with a new or existing short film concept that will premiere at our festival this September 15th at the SFU Woodwards Cinema. This year, we also have three amazing professional artists acting as mentors and facilitators to these emerging artists throughout their process. These mentors are Sammy Chien, Nancy Lee and Chick Snipper.

This year, we are delighted to have commissioned 6 new movement films from artists across Canada between the ages of 19-31. These artists are working towards some very exciting movement ideas and concepts that involve seeing movement through music, fashion, mirrors and speak to issues of race, gender, identity, age and decolonization. These exciting new works will premiere at our festival in September and we cannot wait to share them with you! We hope you can make it to their premieres! 

Elizabeth Armitage and Aidan Chin

Born and raised in Vancouver, Elizabeth Armitage is an artist specializing in performance art and design. Her main focus in the arts is on contemporary and modern dance. However, she is also interested in design, architecture, film, and acting. She started her dance training at Goh Ballet Academy and is now currently training at the Landing Dance Centre under director Brenna McLaud-Bichara.

Aidan Chin is an independent filmmaker from East Vancouver and recent graduate of Templeton Secondary School. He participated in the After School Film program as a student for three years and returns now as a mentor. He currently works as a freelance film contractor for Metro Vancouver as a drone camera operator and Production Assistant. He has also worked on several short films as a mentor for the Young Moviemakers Film Program, working with kids ages 8-14 and teaching them about the production process of a short film.

FILM CONCEPT

Foreign Ghost is the experience of being neither, both, one or the other. Based on the experiences of Chinese-Canadians, Foreign Ghost attempts to give the community an understanding of biculturalism and biracism.

Jennifer Su

Jennifer Su is a Toronto-based artist and ethnographer working primarily in photography and film. Through her art and research she explores themes of kinship, community, and resistance. Her first short film, 36 Questions, won the DGC and WIFT-T award at the 2016 Reel Asian International Film Festival. In 2017 she was selected to participate in the DOC Institute’s New Visions Incubator. She is currently completing her undergraduate degree in socio-cultural anthropology at the University of Toronto.
 

FILM CONCEPT

Wave Hands Like Clouds is a short experimental documentary film showcasing the art of Tai Chi and its diverse community of practitioners. Set in people's homes, public parks, and even Taoist temples, Wave Hands Like Clouds explores the power of movement, and where art and athleticism intersect.

Eric Cheung and Alan Sabir

Born and raised in Calgary Alberta, Eric Cheung has been specializing in the style of popping for 6 years. Originally self-taught, now has trained under the many of the originators and current innovators of the dance. Eric has also travelled and competed in battles across Canada and overseas to countries like the USA, Amsterdam and Japan. As an artist, Eric strives to always show the most authentic version of himself whenever he performs. He has also become known for his ability to perform under pressure and his willingness to take risks in competitions. Eric also brings these attributes and authenticity in every work he creates.

Alan is a filmmaker based out of Calgary, he traveled to Singapore, San Francisco, Mexico, LA, Tokyo, and more around the world to capture dance on film and digital media. He specializes in Cinematography, and Color. His past experience consists of pulling focus on various feature films, music videos, short films and commercials. Recently starting to direct and shoot his own and others music videos, short films, and web series. Currently working at Stocksy United as a senior colorist and educating himself on aesthetic and taste. Always hungry for knowledge and seeking improvement in everything he does.

FILM CONCEPT

“E_GO” is an analysis of the dualistic nature of the ego mind and its role in shaping one's identity and perspective on an individual.” Pulling from Eric’s experiences in dealing with his own personal struggles in finding his own self-identity and ultimately as a dance artist. We will also utilize mirrors as the main visual representation of the different aspects within ego. This will aid in dialogue on the idea of self-reflection and create a medium for Eric to find himself in the short film

Cydney Eva representing PatternNation

PatternNation is a collaborative and inclusive platform aimed at connecting artists who embrace bold colour and pattern globally. PatternNation was founded by Vancouver Canada based artist and fashion designer Cydney Eva. She is of settler colonial UK decent and was raised on Unceded Coast Salish Territories. Cyd Eva, is a visual artist, painter, muralist, fabric sculpture artist and clothing/jewelry designer. She studied Visual Art and First Nations Studies at Simon Fraser University in Vancity and now lives part time in Durban South Africa where she co-directs PatternNation with her partner CostaBesta. CostaBesta is a South African Zulu artist,musician  and performer, CostaBesta is an influential face in the Durban Hip Hop and alternative music scenes. PatternNation collaborations engage with many indigenous and radical thinking artists globally. As an act of decolonization through art  PatternNation shoots, events, films, visual art and clothing aim to create conversation around identity politics and cross-cultural collaboration. The aim of PatternNation is to work directly with artists from various backgrounds and create colourful content that subverts the usual consumption of  minimalist work in the art and fashion worlds. Cydney has previously had the opportunity to bring PatternNation to Johannesburg, Durban, Montreal, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Bangalore and London and hopes to grow the international network of colourful creatives each project we work at.

FILM CONCEPT

Triangulate: A Dance, Fashion and Hip Hop film featuring art/costumes by PatternNation, dance companies Immigrant Lessons & Koolsokool, Hip Hop emcees Lex Lafoy, Costa Besta & vocalist Nipho Hurd. The videographer and editor of the film is Cebo Nxumalo!