Location: Instagram @formvancouver
Time: 12PM PST Daily
FREE EVENT
We’re thrilled to introduce you to the 9 inspiring young artists that are part of our 2023 Mini Commissions Program! F-O-R-M launched this initiative in 2022 with a desire to provide a supportive space for high school aged youth (15-19 years old) from across Canada to explore movement-on-screen filmmaking. As a youth-driven festival, we’ve seen firsthand the power that young artists have when their creative voices are empowered.
In anticipation of creating their very own 1-2 minute short films, our cohort of artists met throughout May to August and were mentored by Youth Programmer Erin Lum. Exploration, experimentation, and education are values that guided this process. Artists asked questions like; what is ‘movement’ in film, and how can we push these boundaries? How can we use editing to tell a story? What can we learn about ourselves in the process of creating art? Creative workshops led by Daniela Rodríguez and Valentina Acevedo Montilla, Sophia Wolfe, Nita Bowerman, and SCOPE planted seeds to dive deeper into topics such as project planning, continuity editing, DIY filmmaking, and sound.
Every day from November 6-16, one Mini Commissions short film will premiere on the @formvancouver Instagram page.
On November 17th (6:00 PM -7:30 PM @ SFU Woodwards), we will be hosting an in-person Mini Commissions Screening for the community to gather, watch, and celebrate these films in each other’s presence. Be inspired by these young artists' playful, emotional, musical, and genre-bending explorations of what movement-on-screen can look like. The future of filmmaking is so bright.
FILMS
Monday November 6
HERTZ
Ryan Iwanaka | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
My concept for the whole video was to dance to a frequency because they sound like music to me and move my body in a very authentic way that feels so free. I chose the frequency 528 which actually heals the body's cells on a physical level as well as reducing stress and anxiety, enhances mental clarity and focus, and balances chakra centers. The journey I had making this film was one full of hustle, anxiety, fear, and love.
Danced, Directed, and Edited by Ryan Iwanaka
Filmed by Kelly Carbray
Special thank you to @foodbabysoul and @ziadalymounib
@konozco for the beautiful mural I danced in front of (in Bushwick, Brooklyn)
Featuring Art from The American Museum of Natural History (in New York, 2023) This film was made possible through F-O-R-M’s Co-Commissionsing Partner UniverseSoul Dance @universesouldance
Tuesday November 7
SO FAMILIAR
Jada Chang | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
SO FAMILIAR delves into the complex and resilient nature of female friendships whilst presenting the universal longing for connection.
Choreographer/Director/Editor: Jada Chang @jadachangg
Videographer: Abby Selva @abbyselvacreative
Dancers: Claire Decoteau @claire.decoteau, Taylor Sasaji @taylorsasaji
Music: White Ferrari by Frank Ocean (I do not own the rights to this song, for creative purposes only)
This film was made possible through F-O-R-M’s Co-Commissionsing Partner UniverseSoul Dance @universesouldance
Wednesday November 8
A CURE TO BOREDOM
Era Bothe | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
A Cure to Boredom follows three rambunctious boys on the hunt to find something fun to do. After experiencing a drought in entertainment, the boys quickly seek many interesting ways to quench their thirst for fun. Initially, the film seems lighthearted and wholesome. However, as options appear to quench the boys' thirst, they only ever get more dangerous.
Director: E.V Bothe
Written by: E.V Bothe
Cast: Akira Leblanc • Gabriel Canilanza • Ivan Le
Director of Photography - E.V Bothe • Asha Raibmon
Edited by: E.V Bothe
Editing Supervisor: Hanna Odlos
Production/Art Design: Asha Raibmon
Key Grips: Ainsley Wong • Joanna Kar Mei Huo
Equipment: Face Of Today Foundation
Music: Street Fighting Man By The Rolling Stones (1968)
Everybody’s Talkin By Harry Nilsson (1968)
(I do not own the rights to this song, for creative purposes only)
Thursday November 9
ANDROMEDA
Ash Szeto | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
Andromeda is a song about being in a toxic relationship with no escape, finding ways to justify what is happening to you and putting the blame on yourself instead of the person doing you harm. Even when you've been pushed too far, you struggle to gain control over your situation.
Director: Ash Szeto
Producer, Gaffer, 2nd Assistant Director: Chloris Au @Chlxris_
Performers: Allison Wan (Toxic Partner) @Alliwanton, Olha Оnyshchenko (Protagonist) @olha_only
Cinematographer/Camera Operator, Storyboard: Soléne Pango Salas @Solene_pango
1st Assistant Director, 1st Assistant Camera: Samuel Patrick @samburger04
Production Designer: Lianne Guo @Li.an.ne_send_halp
Polaroids: Rachel Lok @reiko_rkgk
Grip: Ayelet Pango Salas
Choreographer: Olha Onyschenko
Music Score: Artemis Gallegos @artem1s_pr1me
Singer: Sophie Taylor
Editor: Ash Szeto
Special Thanks: Vincent Yao, Phil Bryne
Monday November 13
PULSE
Bona Lee | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
Throughout life, there is a constant pulse that dictates our movements, thoughts, and surroundings. Despite never really knowing why, we've always followed certain things such as waking up in the morning, eating lunch at noon, and going to sleep at night. In a way, we are placed into a universal routine despite our free will to not comply with it. PULSE showcases that every movement we make in our daily lives is a consequence of this structure applied onto us. Even in solitude, we are synced with the pulse because despite “moving away” from it, it is now within us.
Filmed and Directed by Bona Lee (@luvbblee)
Featuring Yuna Lee (@_yunalee)
Special Thanks to Erin Lum (@erinlum3) and Tamar Tabori from F-O-R-M!
This film was supported by F-O-R-M’s Co-Production Partner Charles Street Video (@csvtoronto)
Tuesday November 14
BALD GIRL
Tanisha Kumar | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
Living in an Indian Hindu family, my parents shaved my head as soon as I had my first full head of hair. This was done with the purpose of deflecting the evil eye or nazar. This summer, I shaved my head again. I became completely bald. I didn't do it with the purpose of taking the nazar or evil eye off myself. I did it with the reclamation of my own identity. This film is about the experiences of being a bald person to inform people about the differing reclamations of the experience.
Director and Editor: Tanisha Kumar (@tunadoola23)
Camera Assistants: Erin Montegrejo (@ehreeen) Damon Couto-Hill (@damondliver)
Wednesday November 15
AWAKEN
Thivya Jeyapalan | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
In 'Awaken,' nature's tranquil beauty intertwines with the complexities of human emotions. While exploring the depths of how PTSD may affect an individual, this short film transcends a single narrative, inviting viewers to interpret its profound message personally. Through various scenes in nature, 'Awaken' evokes a sense of renewal, reminding us that even amidst turmoil, moments of serenity and healing can be found. This visual expressive piece invites introspection, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of our connection to the natural world. 'Awaken' is an ode to the untamed, both within and around us.
Director, Producer, Editor: Thivya Jeyapalan (@youspoken)
Performer: Bella Liang (be.oq_)
Assistant Director: Gloria Wang
Special Thanks: Aryan Ihsan & Victoria Hung as well as the rest of the YouSpoken volunteer team
Featuring music by Johnnie Lawson and Ludovico Einaudi (I do not own the rights to this song, for creative purposes only)
Thursday November 16
RUN
Larkin Miller | YOUTH | CANADA | WORLD PREMIERE
An exploration of the desire to run.
Director: Larkin Miller @lrknmllr
Starring: Larkin Miller
Cinematographer: Rob Rupert
Lighting: Kendra Fanconi
Editor: Larkin Miller
Special Thanks to Kali Miller
Music: Run Boy Run by Woodkid (I do not own the rights to this song, for creative purposes only)