F-O-R-M 2022 — Hybrid Festival: Live + Digital
November 18 — 26
29 short films from 7 countries around the world
16 world premieres from 21 youth + emerging commissioned artists
Public Screens, FORMations, Technology and Interaction, Workshops, FORMing conversations + more
Trailer edit by Tamar Zehava Tabori, Music by Mana saei
Graphic design by brand director Flory Huang and Design Intern JinGYi
F-O-R-M 2022 took place November 18 — 26 as a Hybrid Festival for the first time, co-presented by SFU Woodward's Cultural Programs.
The festival featured featured movement-based films from youth and emerging artists for a seventh year, sharing exciting expressions and intersections of movement and film that embody community and culture. This year’s festival included 29 short films from 7 countries, 16 world premieres from 21 youth + emerging commissioned artists. Films were shared in the cinema, on Instagram, and on Public Screens. We hosted our annual FORMations with the help of Barangay Projects, interviewed artist in residence, Jasmine Liaw with her Technology and Interaction project, hosted Workshops, FORMing Conversations + more.
Commissioned Artists
Youth Category
Solara Thanh-Binh Dang - Sóng Xô (Breaking Waves)
At the border of land and water, the ghost of a young Vietnamese woman moves through the echoes of her country’s trauma, seeking solace in the ocean's caress. Sóng Xô is a collaboration between mother and daughter, a healing dialogue between generations.
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Solara (she/her) is a Vietnamese-Chinese writer, director & artist currently creating and residing in Vancouver, Canada as a guest on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territory.
Solara expresses herself primarily through film, writing, and movement. She enjoys conversing with others in English, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and tender smiles. Her creative process is currently informed by trauma, feminine identity, nostalgia, violence, and the human experience. Her ability to meet deadlines is thanks to her personal manager & cat companion, Mei Mei.
Juan Imperial - The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place is an archival recording of three work-in-progress solos reflecting Juan Imperial's awakening into their queer, femme identity. They weave connections between land, spirituality, and ancestry with queer identity and share their ideas through writing, dance, and ritual that has brought them home to the knowledge that queerness is divine.
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Juan Imperial (He/She/They) is an emerging Filipinx Queer, Non Binary Femme artist with roots in Vogue and Waacking. Juan has been spreading the joy of vogue to QTBIPOC for 6 years through Van Vogue Jam Arts Society. They see its powerful potential to be a vessel for liberation, protest, joy, and family and dedicates most of their time and energy to building up these communities. Currently, Juan is in the process of threading their ancestral and spiritual practices with dance and is discovering how these practices can help forge pathways to liberation in the body and in the community.
Lauren Brady + Thomas Kassian - Cut the Cake or Take the Cut Cake
What will Sue do when she is overcome with anxiety as she meets the ultimate dilemma at the office birthday party? Will she just cut the cake? Or take the cut cake and RUN.
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Lauren Brady is a multidisciplinary artist born in Calgary, Alberta, on Treaty 7 territory. Lauren began her artistic journey training in various dance styles at age 3. In 2021 she graduated from the BFA in Acting program with distinction at the University of Alberta and entered the Edmonton and Calgary arts community. Lauren is known for her work combining contemporary dance and Pochinko clown. She has created several works in festivals across Alberta. Works include clown and choreography for, The Nextfest Festival, Fluid Festival, The Common Clown Festival, Play the Fool, and various self-produced film projects.
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Thomas Kassian is a queer emerging Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) based stage and film actor who holds his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting degree from the University of Alberta. Alongside this he is also a graduate of Citadel’s Young Musical Company program, receiving extensive training in acting, movement, and voice. Thomas loves to collaborate with new and familiar faces as he is driven by his passion for the arts which has brought him to perform in many stage and film productions across Alberta. He has produced and directed many film projects including the Telus STORYHIVE documentary "Queer in the Burbs".
Kevin Kim + Jullianna Oke + Seth Kitamura - A Conversation in Rhythm
A Conversation in Rhythm is an experimental movement film which centers around a tap dancer and a drummer in a jam session. The exchanges made between these artists in an improvised jam parallels qualities to a verbal conversation; the introduction, questioning, challenging, balancing, and most importantly, the trusting of one another. The film aims to display their unspoken dialogue as what it is, a conversation. Using traditional dialogue coverage, A A Conversation in Rhythm will accentuate the varying intensity of the artists’ movements and rhythm on film to express a scene of communication.
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Kevin Jin Kwan Kim is a Korean-Canadian editor and director based in "Vancouver, BC," the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. His directorial work has been recognized both locally and internationally, having played at festivals in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and more. Due to his background as an editor, his work tends to be rhythmic and capture emotions by finding the most powerful connections between shots. He highly values collaboration in his work and aims to tell stories based around real individuals and events.
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Jullianna is a dancer and interdisciplinary artist based in Vancouver on the traditional and unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. As she finishes her BFA Honors in Dance from Simon Fraser University, her interests lie in the passage of information and non-verbal communication expressed from one body to another through movement, sound, and media.
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Having grown up on the lands of the Musqueam, Tsawwassen and Kwantlen Nations (otherwise known as Richmond), Seth now attends Capilano University and is in his third year of study completing his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. Frequenting the jazz scene in the lower mainland, Seth enjoys his time playing in bands and quintets alongside his amazing friends and learning new instruments whenever possible.
Emerging Category
Ankita Alemona + Raam Kumar - Prowl
Prowl delves into the journey of two huntresses' determination, fragility and willingness to fight. With slow agile crawls and fast decisive attacks, they weave intricate webs to enchant their prey, revealing the immense power, readiness and emotional preparation needed to pursue the hunt. The immense uncertainty as to whether they themselves will become prey pushes them, again and again, to prove their ability to survive in a brutal world. This piece thus visually and somatically depicts the various realities of the burden of becoming and staying ‘The Huntress.’
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Ankita Alemona is a performing artist, director and producer rooted in Kalaripayattu (an ancient form of martial arts from South India), dance and theatre. She is a disciple of Lakshman Gurukkul, Shatrughnan Gurukkul and Radhika Gurukkul of Hindustan Kalari Sangam and Kalarigram. She is also the founder of Nautanki Creations, a collective that shares ideas through artistic forms of expression and develops opportunities for cross-cultural engagement between artists working in Canada and India, her two home countries. Her artistic work has been supported by numerous artistic institutions including Soulpepper Theatre Company, Toronto Dance Theatre, Sampradaya Dance Creations, Canada Arts Council and Ontario Arts Council.
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Raam Kumar is a Kalaripayattu performer and instructor from Kerala, South India. He is also a contemporary dancer, choreographer and physical theatre performer. Raam Kumar is the great grandson of the renowned Veera Shree C.V.Narayanan Nair, the founder of the internationally renowned institute C.V.N Kalari Sangam and the Kerala Kalaripayattu Association. He has worked as a long-time instructor at Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, one of India’s foremost contemporary dance institutions and is known for integrating elements of Kalaripayattu into his choreographic work; he has taught many students the practice of Kalaripayattu, and worked with an incredible number of dancers over the years.
Pete Kytwayhat - ᐱᓯᐢᑭᐤ
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My name is Pete Kytwayhat, I am from Treaty 6 territory as a registered member of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Band. I currently reside in Vancouver which occupies the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I am a father to a wonderful 7-year-old awâsis. I am also a 4th year Film and Media Production major at the First Nations University of Canada.
MINI COMMISSIONS
Sydney Vidler - Interacting With Water
“In my short film of movement, I chose to explore movement in water. I began to understand dance by experimenting with this concept. I started playing around with how my arms run in water, feeling the resistance, to understand the imaginary push and pull I feel when dancing out of water. I wanted to illustrate this in my film, giving a glimpse of the way dancing feels to me. This short film has deep meaning for me, and I hope that each viewer interprets the film in a way that connects with themselves.”
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My name is Sydney Vidler. I am 16 years old (born in 2006) and I live in British Columbia or more specifically, Port Moody. I started doing ballet when I was two years old and carried that forward for many years. I got into other types of dance growing up and by eight years old I was dancing competitively. That is around the time that I started practicing modern and contemporary dance. I found myself with a big passion for it and have been working on it ever since. Dance will forever be a big part of my life.
Chanel Hulston + Isabella Tarasoff - EQUILIBRIUM
“The idea of the human body has remained at the forefront in terms of what kind of story we wanted to tell. As dancers we’ve developed an understanding of body, spatial, and musical awareness. What would it look like, sound like, or feel like to rebel against the rules and boxes that have once limited our view on the human body? An open ended conversation that challenges physical limitations, exploration, vulnerability, and stagnant beliefs. Our film is orchestrated by visual research that’s done between the both of us in relation to the world around us, using our movement and experimental use of film to capture it for all audiences to digest.”
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My name is Chanel Hulston and I’ve spent most of my 18 years in Calgary, Alberta. For as long as I can remember, creative expression has been an integral part of my own self discovery. I've experimented with writing, editing and filming, and It has especially been an asset to my street dance. Experimenting with these activities enriched my understanding of not only who I am, but additionally, the various types of self expression that is available. I have always valued using movement and film as a mode of communication and my main goal is to communicate this with others.
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My name is Isabella Tarasoff. I’m 17 years old and currently live in Calgary, Alberta. The most consistent aspect of my life has been art and I’m very appreciative of all the outlets I have been introduced to. Starting technical dance at the age of four and continuing my dance journey as it has evolved over the course of my life where I now hope to pursue a career in it. One of the major shifts in my life was being introduced to street dance! As I’m starting my creative career as a dancer, artist, choreographer, I’m excited to further develop my knowledge on all aspects of art and dance.
Aurora Jessica Martens - Crooked
“Crooked is a glimpse into what it can be like to experience pain alone and learn to cope with it by yourself. Particularly young adults, who often feel like they don’t belong in their own skin. Healing looks different for everyone, and the process is always ongoing. I hope that Crooked can inspire even one person to check up on those they love. Humans aren’t made to experience life alone, yet many of us do. Even an action as small as a text or answering a phone call can be immense to someone else.”
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Aurora is a 16-year old self-taught artist. She enjoys expressing herself through many hobbies, including drawing, archery, sculpting and swimming! She has an avid passion for psychology and conservation, and often tries to blend the two in different art forms to share her ideas with the world. Aurora hopes that her film ‘Crooked’ will allow other young people to see the beauty within themselves, and to know that you don’t have to be perfect to be worthy. We’re all a little crooked.
Ella McCartney - Reverie
“My goal for this film was to transport viewers into a daydream by utilizing various forms of movement to relay the feelings of a dreamscape. The plot of the film, much like a dream, is open to interpretation. The goal is to allow viewers to project their personal life experiences into a meaning of their own.”
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Ella McCartney (she/her) is a youth artist from Vancouver Island. She is an aspiring creative and this film is her first published project in the world of visual media and recorded movement. She hopes viewers will enjoy their individual interpretation of her film.
Sarah Cameron - Looks Like Me
Looks Like Me is a film about bridging the gap between where you are in life and where you want to be. Dance is used as a symbol to show that one day you will leave the studio, and experience opportunities that you once dreamed of.
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Sarah is 18 years old and has been a dancer since she was only 2 years old. She found her passion for film making when she was 13 and has been a film producer for her school dance program, as well as local dance studios for the past 3 years. After recently graduating high school, she is looking to further her education of film making and push the limits of her creative mindset.
Liam Hurley - Break Free
This short film leads us on the emotional journey of a male dancer through interpretive dance. It begins with the whimsy and innocence of youth, the joy of simple movement and exploration. Fond memories of running through the sand creating temporary art, swayed by the rhythm of the waves. With time, those memories fade, replaced by an awareness of self and others. Made conscious of being the only male in the room, feeling awkward and out of place. Encountering bullying and stereotypes that question one’s identity leading to self doubt and thoughts of giving up. Lifted up by family, friends and an instructor that never gave up, he finds his passion once again.
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Liam started dancing at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet when he was four years old and has been dancing ever since. He started with Gabriola Pilates and Dance in 2012 and joined Dancestreams this past year. Liam has performed in 15 productions including ballet, contemporary, hip hop and musical theatre.
Liam has been making short films since he was 10 after his Dad introduced him to iMovie. He’s entering grade 11 and he currently goes to Dover Bay Secondary School.
Anika Takahashi - Tempo
Tempo, often referenced from music, is significant in the realm of badminton. Badminton is categorized as a racialized sport resulting in absence in the film industry. When people look into the sport’s competitive side, the correlation between badminton and music surfaces. The rhythm from players’ squeaky shoes doing footwork, the crisp sound of the shuttle and racket in contact, and even the motion of the moving players on court are all aspects of badminton’s tempo. These characteristics can assist those who have yet to experience this form of music. Hopefully, people can look at the sport from a new perspective.
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My name is Anika Takahashi, and I'm a motivated, disciplined, and goal-oriented high school student who always aspires to be the best version of myself. I adore playing badminton, dancing, and photography are a few of my interests. I've always been motivated to try various media art forms and desired to succeed in that field. One day, I came across the F-O-R-M program, which offered me an excellent opportunity to learn more about filmmaking as I enjoy pushing my limits and discovering different media types.
Crystal Zhu - Like A Toy
Following the lyrics to the song “Like A Boy” by Ciara, a girl fed up with the way men treat her reverses the roles, forcing them to ask themselves how would they feel if put in her situation.
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My aspirations as an artist (and filmmaker) is to give voice to as many stories as possible—the complexities of the human condition unraveled in experiences of people themselves. In short, I'm a high school student who is passionate about the creative arts. In addition to producing film, I also enjoy writing, dance, painting and drawing. Often found binging animation students’ thesis films on YouTube, I find myself being inspired by any and every little thing. This time, I’m working with Alaya Butler, a talented university student in Mississauga, to tell a powerful story about being a woman.
Jenna Wadden - eureka!
“As humans, we take comfort in following paths journeyed by those before us. This is because we know these paths will lead to a life that we believe is successful. Following an uncharted path is scary, but if we choose not to follow it, we’ll never know if there was a treasure waiting to be discovered. My film eureka! is a celebration of emerging artists that have started the journey down their own path, and a reminder that every path is valid. A big thank you to Kiki and Ronan for their commitment to helping my vision come to life.”
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Jenna Wadden (she/her) is an emerging dance artist from Vancouver, BC which is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. She is currently in her second year of studies at the University of Calgary and is working towards her BFA degree in dance. Before starting university, Jenna trained with The Landing Dance Centre. She has also attended summer intensives run by Modus Operandi and the AMOK project for the past 2 years. Throughout her adolescence, Jenna enjoyed creating short films and is excited to be debuting her first film on recorded movement.
Valeria Mondragon Varga - ‘Till reality tear us apart
Our teen protagonist is trapped in a routine of nothingness. She doesn’t have a reason to live, she is just surviving. She dreams of a new era where she can be with her loved one, Raven, and she’s no longer alone. Her soul and heart are in her dreams. But, there are consequences for not living in reality.
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Valeria Mondragon Vargas is a 16 year old who was born and raised in Mexico City and currently lives in British Columbia, Canada. When she was 5 years old she developed a curiosity about art and start taking painting classe. Since then she has learned to draw, paint, weave, make crafts, etc. Valeria has always wanted to work in something related to art. During the pandemic in one of her art classes, she fell in love with the idea of making movies and series while studying storyboarding. Now she is pursuing her dreams by making her official first short film.
Artistic Committee
ARTIST MENTORS
Technology and Interaction Artist
Jasmine Liaw
In 2022, we hosted our first artist in residence, Jasmine Liaw, and her work in development SONIC COLOUR. Our Founding Artistic Director, Sophia Wolfe, interviewed Jasmine about her artistic practice and the ideas and mechanics behind SONIC COLOUR. Read the interview here.
Festival Workshops
Festival Screenings
Click on any screening event below to explore the films that were shown.
Our Supporters
We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from funders, partners, sponsors, and individual donors—without them, F-O-R-M 2022 would not have been possible. F-O-R-M 2022 was supported by:
I am a Juno award winning musician and composer based in Vancouver BC. I am currently exploring ways of feeling sound in the body by playing large public sculptures as percussion instruments. I am the founder of two creative series based in Vancouver, BC, Music and Movement Mondays and Conundrum.