The Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) is back with their 27th annual edition, from November 2-12!
Japanese cinema and Japanese diasporic cinema are well represented at this year’s VAFF and we are excited to share these films with our friends in Vancouver and across Canada.
The Japan Foundation, Toronto is a proud continued supporter of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival through our grant program.
Gonta とんがり頭のごん太 ―2つの名前を生きた福島被災犬の物語―
Directed by NISHIZAWA Akio • Feature Film • November 11 • In-Person, Vancouver
VAFF 2023 Closing Spotlight Film. On March 11, 2011, a major earthquake hit. Hoping they could return soon the family evacuated, leaving their pet, Gonta, behind. However, a nuclear plant accident prevented their return. Volunteers saved Gonta, but his remaining time was limited.
The Rest of our Lives 残る歳月
Directed by KUMIA Shinji • Feature Film • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Kenji lives alone since his wife’s death. One day, he fears he may have dementia. By chance, he joins swimming lessons and meets the instructor, Kaori. They are haunted by their past life’s peaks. Through swimming lessons, they gradually regain the strength to live and take a new step forward.
Double Role
Directed by KAWANISHI Kaoru • Documentary Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Deaf curler Sayuri Matsuhashi has a hearing daughter. As she wins a regional tournament, she becomes the first deaf person to qualify for the national competition. The film depicts a true story of Sayuri Matsuhashi, as a deaf curler and mother. Presented as part of International Doc Shorts.
Sweet
Directed by YASUI Shoji • Narrative Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Miwa, a second grader, tries to be a ”decent child” by obeying various rules as her mother, Mizuho, tells her to. On the other hand, her piano teacher, Yuko, encourages her to express herself freely. Miwa”s heart wavers between the two. Presented as part of International Narrative – Mental Health.
Blue and White
Directed by NISHIYAMA Hiroyuki • Narrative Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Ryusuke, a craftsman who lost his wife, continued to make salt even on the day of her memorial service. His granddaughter, Midori, asked him about his true intentions. He believed that his mission was to continue to produce salt that can only be made there and to preserve its history. Presented as part of Japanese Narrative Shorts.
Eatversity
Directed by SAKUMA Keisuke • Narrative Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Hana is a young man with a preference to dress as a cat. One day, he is taken by the woman he loves to a fusion restaurant, where he begins to realize the absurdity of this world through the food that is brought to him. Presented as part of Japanese Narrative Shorts.
TATARA
Directed by NOZAWA Qunio • Narrative Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
After a fallling out with his father, Will leaves to Japan to work at Tatara, the traditional Japanese furnace. 10 years later, David visits his son. As he starts to understand Will’s ideas on life, their relationship shifts toward something good. Presented as part of Japanese Narrative Shorts.
Departure
Directed by TAKAYUKI Yoshikawa • Animated Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
In a world devoid of God but steeped in religion, a struggling robot embarks on a slow journey within a church. Using a mirror to redirect sunlight, she powers a storage terminal, enhancing her vision. However, as it attempts to upgrade her movement control program, the dwindling sunlight halts the process, leaving the robot incomplete. Presented as part of Animation Shorts.
The Old Young Crow
Directed by Liam Lopinto • Animated Short • November 6-12 • Virtual, Canada-wide
Mehrdad, now an old man, recalls his encounter with an elderly Japanese woman named Chiyo at a graveyard in Tokyo, near his elementary school. Through his childhood sketchbook, he reflects on the mystery of her disappearance. Presented as part of Animation Shorts.
