Organizers of this yea/s Vancouver Asian Film Festival expect 20 filmmakers and close to 4,000 people to attend the 19th annual showcase from November 5-8. “This year’s program continues to showcase the breadth and depth of Asian diaspora filmmaking beyond the stereotypes and mainstream film festival offerings,” said Grace Chin, festival director. 
VAFF 19 looks at the complications within the search for personal and cultural identity. The festival’s nine film programs include 37 feature-length and short films
For the entire festival program lineup and ticket/pass, visit www.vaff.org
Tickets will be available at www.vaff.org or at the VAFF Box Office in the lobby of the Cineplex Odeon International Village starting November 5.

“Strings Attached”

Things are complicated when there are (heart) “Strings Attached”. Asian American director Emily Ting’s transplants the charm of Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunrise,” to the Fragrant Harbour as Ruby and Josh—the real-life husband and wife team of Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg—fall in and out of love.

“The Tree Inside”

“The Tree Inside” looks at how deeply our environment affects the choices and decisions we make. It was shot over 14 months right here in Vancouver, British Columbia. The film stars Vancouver writer/actor/director/producer Michelle Kim; Casey Manderson, Diana Bang, and famed Canadian author Michael Turner.

“Right Footed”

In our Doc Spot program, Emmy Award-winning director Nick Sparks’ documentary “Right Footed” follows the remarkable story of Jessica Cox. This Philippine-American woman was born without arms but overcame many physical and emotional challenges to become fully independent—learning to type with her toes and fly an airplane with her feet.

“The Kids”

Up and coming Taiwanese director Wei-Shan Yu‘s first feature, “The Kids,” our Centrepiece Presentation, offers another take on the shotgun wedding—exploring how far the boy inside the man will go to please the girl of his dreams. Eighth-grader Bao-Li unexpectedly comes to the rescue of Jia-Jia, a girl one grade above, and they immediately fall in love.

“Beyond Redemption”

With “Beyond Redemption,” our Special Presentation, first time feature film director and long-time stunt coordinator Bruce Fontaine brings the heart of the Asian action genre to his native Canada. The action in “Beyond Redemption” promises to be one stylish, exhilarating adrenaline rush.

“Crush the Skull”

If you’re a fan of chiller-comedy hybrids, don’t miss our Closing NIght film (a Canadian premiere) that combines a heist caper with an old-school slasher flick — winner of the Nightfall Award at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. Vietnamese American Viet Nguyen’s “Crush The Skull,” follows a story about the burglar vs. serial killer.

“The Roots Remain”

Montreal graffiti artist Fonki returns to Cambodia to paint a giant mural of his relatives killed in the Khmer Rouge genocide. He connects with some Cambodian youths who are also hoping to breathe new life into their destroyed culture. Fonki discovers his roots in the heart of modern Cambodia in “The Roots Remain”.