Doors: 6:30PM
Screening: 7:00PM
Talkback: 8:00PM
Available with All Festival Passes
F-O-R-M’s Commissioning Fund Program is at the heart of the festival. It’s a catalyst for youth and emerging artists to explore and play at the intersection of movement and film. Every year, we witness processes fueled by imagination and personal exploration, resulting in innovative films that take us beyond the screen and into the intimate worlds imagined by these emerging creatives.
Our 2023 Commissioned Artists are based across “Canada”: Coast Salish Territory, including xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver; in Treaty 7, the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation (Region 3), also known as Calgary; and Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation #128 in Treaty 6 Territory. The artists blend movement and film in distinctive ways, using this medium to connect with their individual identities and experiences. Their authentic and vulnerable approach creates a sense of community, inviting audiences to connect beyond the screen as their journeys intersect.
From June to October, the artists worked independently and collectively, participating in creative workshops led by Nancy Lee, Josh Lam, and SCOPE on topics like collaborative care, film production, editing, and sound for film.
Mentorship is integral to the Commissioning Fund program, and we're delighted to have the support of incredible artist mentors: Nancy Lee, Joshua Lam, Evann Siebens, Eric Cheung, Edzi'u, Santi Henderson, and Sophia Mai Wolfe.
We extend our thanks to our Co-Commissioning Partners: BC Movement Arts, Company 605, and Wild Mint Arts for supporting the next generation of artists in shaping the future of movement-on-screen. These works were made possible through the contributions of our Commissioning Fund Production Partners: Cineworks, VIVO Media Arts Centre, Charles Street Video, and Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, who provided memberships, equipment rentals, and facility spaces. We also appreciate the support of our Creation Sponsors, The Dance Centre and The Cultch, for their in-kind venue, personnel, and technical assistance in creating these films.
We're thrilled to be able to support these artists in manifesting these powerful works that move us in more ways than one and are excited to premiere them at the festival on the big screen for all to witness and experience.
List of films:
RELINQ
Adam Smith and Colby McLean (Canada) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 14:02
NOTHING CAN STAY
Marisa Gold and Darryl Ahye (Canada) EMERGING
World Premiere
Duration: 7:00
4, 6, 2, 0,
Aerial Sunday-Cardinal (Canada) EMERGING
World Premiere
Duration: 15:00
TELL THE TRUTH (BUT TELL IT SLANT)
Joanne Joo-Yeong Park (Canada) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 5:10
LOST PARADISE
Satya Mari (Canada) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 7:00
SPANOCHNONGA
Raven Grenier (Canada) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 5:00
FILMS
TELL THE TRUTH (BUT TELL IT SLANT)
Joanne Joo-Yeong Park | CANADA | YOUTH | WORLD PREMIERE
Duration: 5:10
"Anger rumination is a cognitive-emotional process that refers to the tendency to dwell on frustrating experiences and to recall past anger experiences (Sukhodolsky et al. 2001)... rumination may preclude the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal and problem solving (Connor-Smith et al. 2000; Nolen-Hoeksema et al. 2008)"
In an attempt to move forward, to move on, Joanne internally dissects her memories, feelings, self, until there is nothing left.
All to look back and see that she has not taken a single step from where she was.
It may not be something that one can do alone.
Sources: Smith, J. A. (2021). Understanding Anger Rumination. Journal of Emotion Research, 5(2), 123-135. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7035789/
Creative Director, Assistant Editor: Joanne Park
Mentors: Nancy Lee and Eric Cheung
Makeup: Xander Terrin Chen
Videography: Cameron Anderson
Videography and Assistant Editor: JaeHee Kim
Colourist: Patrick Gong
VFX: Dallas McKinnon
Dancers: Juan Imperial, Erin Lum
The Man: Dorian Issa
Extra thank you to my waacking, popping, and krump teachers and influences: Rina Pellerin, Denny Kang, Eric Cheung, and Rexx Franklin.
Extra love to the street dance community in Vancouver for finding me in 2019 and changing me for the better. I always feel like my dance journey is just beginning, and it is so exciting.
Co-Commissioned by: BC Movement Arts
Creation Sponsor: The Cultch
LOST PARADISE
Satya Mari | CANADA | YOUTH | WORLD PREMIERE
This film contains strong language.
Duration: 7:00
LOST PARADISE is at home and out of time. It explores the dynamics of three different maternal relationships through familiar, unusual, and sticky states.
Director: Satya Mari
Music Score: Satya Mari, Where Did You Sleep Last Night by Lead Belly, Call Me When You Can by Chris Petra
Editor: Satya Mari
Cinematographer: dani Mackenzie Long
Sound: Ethan Volberg
Lighting and extra help on set: Kaya Tsurumi, Audrey Sides
Performers: Allie Shiff, Satya Mari, Ryan Jackson, Kate Franklin, Carla Van Messel, Susan the cat
Post Production Mentors: Santi Henderson, Joshua Lam
Thank you: Kira Radosevic, Abby Hunter, Emily Clark, Clare Downie for the beautiful set treats, F-O-R-M for this great opportunity, Tamar Tabori, Sophia Wolfe, Outinnerspace Tiffany Tregarthen and David Raymond for the time and space to film in studio, Rio Theatre Crit Group for all the feedback and knowledge, Gavin Cameron, Cineworks, Colin williscroft, Terra Breads, Chris Petra, Mason Graham, Alex Chisholm, and Santi Henderson
Co-Commissioning Partner: Company 605
SPANOCHNONGA
Raven Grenier | CANADA | YOUTH | WORLD PREMIERE
This film contains strobe effect and dark content.
Duration: 5:00
SPANOCHNONGA is an analysis and approach to mental health diagnoses through an Indigenous lens. Specifically, with the artistic director's personal experience with schizophrenia and seeing and hearing supernatural beings (nochnonga), and understanding being accompanied by voices through the cultural relevancies of her Gitxsan roots. It is also a theoretical response to Alica Elliot's a Mind Spread Out On the Ground in the spoken words elements and soundscape. Through digital design, lighting and special effects, contemporary dance, and sound, experience one's physical body being taken over and transported to SPANOCHNONGA, a place where monsters used to go that were once nochnochs.
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Formline Design, Sound producer, Song, Spoken Word: Raven Grenier
Set designer, Creative producer, Digital design, Editor: Andrew Grenier
Videographer, Colour: Eric Sanderson
Film Director: Kira Doxtator
Sound Design: Ted Hamilton, SCOPE
Sound Mentorship: Edziu
Dramaturge: Charles Koroneho, Margaret Grenier
Collaborating Interpreters: Atamira dance company
Attire: Brandi Lancaster x Raven Grenier
Indigenous Nail Art: Waaynexwi7 day spa
Make-up: Sam Kronstal
Thank you to my friend and young Indigenous female director Kira Doxator for her talents and incredible passion, my parents for all of their support and my family for the encouragement!
Creation Sponsor: The Dance Centre
RELINQ
Adam Smith and Colby McLean | CANADA | YOUTH | WORLD PREMIERE
Duration: 14:02
RELINQ inverses the relationship between dance and music. Sounds created by dancers have been warped and moulded to produce a piece of music led by dancers, rather than a dance piece led by music. Through this mixture of movement and sound, RELINQ captures the unfiltered energy of the Session and offers it to the viewer without external interference.
Through the viewfinder of a camera, the audience is invited to experience the session as a dancer, a spectator, and a fly on the wall.
Directors: Colby McLean, Adam Smith
Assistant Director: J. L. McLean
Producer: Justin Larioza
Music Score: Adam Smith
Editors: Colby McLean, Justin Larioza
Cinematographers: Benjamin San Martin, Nick Alford
Dancers: Colby McLean, Eunice Faye Dionisio, Adam Smith, Skargfy, Samantha Lindo, Justin Larioza
Mentors: Sophia Mai Wolfe, Eric Cheung
Special thanks to Jami Reimer for pushing us to submit an application, and to Yimu Wang for creating the space through which our group flourished.
NOTHING CAN STAY
Marisa Gold and Darryl Ahye | CANADA | EMERGING | WORLD PREMIERE
Duration: 7:00
All things exist in a continuous cycle. Each end leading to a new beginning. Inhale leads to exhale, growth to disintegration, and death to life. We can slow things down, but Nothing Can Stay. Nature teaches that we must surrender everything in time to be alive once more. The rhythm is relentless, gentle and unstoppable.
Producers: Marisa Gold, Darryl Ahye
Director: Darryl Ahye
Performer: Marisa Gold
Writer: Marisa Gold
Cinematographer: Darryl Ahye
Editors: Darryl Ahye, Marisa Gold
Voice-over: Marisa Gold, Darryl Ahye
Music: Pixabay
Audio mixing: Marisa Gold, Darryl Ahye
A big thank you to the whole FORM team, to Colin and Dan of Cineworks, and GearBASE!
4, 6, 2, 0,
Aerial Sunday-Cardinal | CANADA | EMERGING | WORLD PREMIERE
Duration: 15:00
A short film documentary that takes place on Whitefish Lake First Nation #128 and Saddle Lake Cree Nation. It offers an insight into and a reminder of Nehiyaw traditions and values as we near the prophetic end of times.
Director: Aerial Sunday
Cinematographer: Andriy Lyskov
Sound design: Matt Leibowitz
Editors: Joshua Lam, Aerial Sunday
Mentor: Joshua Lam
Co-Commissioned by: Wild Mint Arts
Commissioning Fund Production Partner: Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers
Venue Information
Location: SFU Woodwards, Djavad Mowafaghian Theatre: 3rd floor — 149 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H7
Entry Instructions:
The building is accessible at street level on the Hastings side or via a ramp on the Cordova Street Courtyard side (across from JJ Bean Coffee).
There are 2 ramp entry points:
One is located against the building, near the entrance to the Woodward’s Westbank Atrium (which houses London Drugs and Nesters)
Another is located against the building, beside the alley.
Getting Here:
The building is a ten-minute walk from Waterfront Station, where the Skytrain, Seabus and Westcoast Express meet; city buses run directly from this hub to the Hastings Street entrance. If approaching via the Stadium-Chinatown Station on Skytrain's Expo-Millenium line, the walk to SFU's Goldcorp Centre for Arts is five minutes.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible at street level on Hastings side or via ramp on Cordova Street Courtyard side, all venues within building accessible by elevator.
Both the Hastings doors and the Cordova Courtyard doors can be operated by accessibility buttons located beside the doorways.