Public Screens

Melissa Lam (Vancouver, BC) YOUTH
Duration: 1:36

“No Less Asian” explores the struggles and triumphs of being a 2nd Generation Asian-Canadian, portrayed through the medium of dance.

In honor of this year's AANHPI History Month in May, I wanted to showcase the rich diversity of the Asian-Canadian experience through the art of dance. As a Chinese-Canadian who grew up in Singapore and later moved to Vancouver, I faced my own challenges in navigating my cultural identity. Today, I feel more grounded and embrace my multicultural heritage. Dance provides a vibrant way to celebrate our unique stories, connect with our roots, and build a shared understanding with others.

Director, Editor, Mix Media Artist: Melissa Lam
Producer: Ann Dinh
DP, Cam Op: Stefan Feldmann
Post Supervisor: Bronwyn Davies
Sound Designer: Adam Johnson
Colorist: Tyson Rider
Designer: Andy Burdin

Steven Johnson (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 3:11

“My Dear Love” is a dance film inspired by René Magritte’s surrealist painting, “The Lovers.” It follows a lover who, experiencing the death of a partner, must now deal with the realizations that come in the absence. The remaining lover finds that while intimate in the previous relationship, the lovers were blinded. They were close physically, but twisted up in lost connection. Accompanied by a physical exploration of negative space and expanding movement, the dance film displays the guilt but also the freedom and newfound vision of being alone after loss.

Director, Dancer, Choreographer, Editor: Steven Johnson
Assistant Camerawork: Emma Johnson

Grace Richter (Vancouver, BC) YOUTH
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 4:44
Content warning: Strobe lighting

In this dance concept video, the choreography symbolizes the invisible box of self-imposed conformity and comfort zones. Dancers move within confined spaces, their movements repetitive and restrained, reflecting the tension between yearning for freedom and clinging to familiar, safe boundaries. As the performance progresses, voices recite affirmations that initially seem empowering, but as they're repeated, they gradually sink into the dancers' subconscious, subtly transforming their beliefs and reinforcing the limitations of the box. The dancers struggle to break free but are continually pulled back, illustrating how these affirmations can both uplift and imprison, shaping our reality and identity.

Director, Choreographer: Grace Richter
Cinematographer: Meaghan Gipps
Dancers: Anna Roberts, Zach Ralph, Dani Taon, Avery Mckibben, Jordan Sande, Olivia Boesch, Leyanne Marzan, Cadence McBride, Maya Halverson, Sierra Hateley, Sophie Clarke Heelan, Nicole Peca, Beth Nemish, Connor Ferguson, Christina Noon, Tamara Kiyama, Haylie Mandel, Julianna Grahn, Greg Kendall, Kaya Morris, Kendall Veer, Lily Bollegraf, Mia Kerr, Meigan Croteau, Keithen Zimmerman, Emersyn Degelmann, Owen Hogg, Emily Nguyen, Isabae Alston, Ruby Eger, Caitie Mah, Maya Da Costa
Music: Affirmation Practice by DJ Gigola

Abbey Richens (Toronto, ON) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 3:44

“Submerged” is a collaboration between Abbey Richens and Abby Silvera. The work offers digital footprint on the ephemeral experience of cold water plunging. Exploring the similarities between spiralling online and drowning. Being swept, submerged, overtaken by the forces of the internet. We are letting ourselves be swallowed by the digital sea in order to participate with others, to find belonging. What it numbs down to is the desire to connect and be loved.

Director: Abbey Richens
Cinematographer: Jen Fong
Dancers: Abbey Richens, Abby Silvera

Cristian Leonardo Oriak Rodriguez (Burnaby, BC) YOUTH
World Premiere
Duration: 3:22

“MATTO - A Modern Romani Dance Performance” is a mesmerizing dance film featuring Darya Kulyashova, who graces the screen in breathtaking  flowy traditional Romani dresses. Through her captivating performance, Darya merges modern choreography with the deep, expressive roots of Romani dance. Her movements elegantly unite contemporary style with age-old traditions, creating a dynamic and visually stunning representation of cultural heritage. 

Director, Cinematographer: Cristian Oriak
Dancer, Choreographer: Darya Kulyashova
Grip/LX: Reve Oncrack

Glo Romy (Toronto, ON) EMERGING
Vancouver Premiere
Duration: 3:41

Created by an all woman cast & crew, BOSSY is an energetic short film that celebrates the women in Toronto’s street dance community. The film highlights different generations with styles ranging from Hip Hop, Popping, Locking, Waacking, Breaking, and Krump. Glo Romy, the director of the film, is a Hip Hop dancer from Toronto who has battled across the city as well as having proudly repp’d abroad. The film is 4 minutes long and premiered in March 2024, in honour of Women’s History Month.

Director: Glo Romy
Production Company: Yute Studio
Executive Producer: Christina G. Cheng
Producers: Suha “Su” Mugni, Dorcas Ho
DP: Ashley Iris Gill
Choreographer: Amanda-May Wilson
Associate Choreographer: Marianne Kanaan, Christina de la Cruz
Casting: Amaia Creative
Editorial: Nimiopere
Editor: Leah Lalich
Colour: Darling Colour & VFX
Colourist: Kassi Bellamy
1st AD: Ashley Bodika
2nd AD: Alise Rosemin
Production Coordinator: Vanessa Okafo
Steadicam: Nigel Doucette
1st AC: Carine Zahner
2nd AC: Kiana Tagabing
Camera Trainee: Renata Mohamed
Gaffer: Sabrina Spilotro
Key Grip: Asmaa Rouhi
Dolly Grip: Ian Chan
Set Designer: Vanessa Cassar
Wardrobe: Glo Romy
Wardrobe Assists: Kaylah Wilson, Miki Diamond Perry
MUA: Kathy Nguyen
MUA Assists: Irene Brotto, Gabrielle Jovellanos
Hair Stylist: Lakia Sage
Nail Artist: Manis by Manu
Grillz: Grillz by Mazz
BTS: Christine Do, Puneet Boparai, Alicia Reid
PA's: Toni Ho, Olya Sovtus, Sierra Brown-Rodrigues
Cast: Glo Romy, Kayla-Renée Wilson, Petra Ayedzi, Jendayi Dyer, Malea Yarde, Shane Tubog, Jordanaé Marie, O'Shani "Ocean" Cardwell, Trisha Ng, Miambi Kassé, Marianne Kanaan, Celeste Delgado, Kosi Eze, Caroline ‘Lady C’ Fraser, Monica ‘Knives’ Fern, Judi Lopez, Jade Jager Clark, Karyin Qiu, Alexandra ‘Niyi’ Tauhid, Julia ‘Lock Julia’ Aldosh, Sandra ‘Iced Misto’ To, Madison ‘Mad C’ Cranston, Daniella Alfaro, Luna Lunatick Doan, Mandy ‘Doomgurl’ Sanchez Cruz, Abigail McEyeson, Abby ‘Crimson Gush’ Raj, Lexi Raj, Emma Cabrera Aragon, Patricia ‘Ponytail Patricia’ Gordon, Jessica ‘Pretzo’ Chiu, Ruhama Dechassa, Jamie-Lee Santos, Danica ‘Dizzy’ Dinero, Janine Joseph, Janelle Haye, Indica Cornish, Kathriel Rivera, Char Viorea, Geneva Lei, Manuela Villegas, Chawntay Barrett, Zayn Ojowo, King the Chihuahua