program STRUCTURE
MAMM is VAFF’s annual short film-making competition celebrating its 20th year of supporting, fostering and showcasing emerging Asian and mixed Asian filmmakers. Over 180 MAMM films have been completed through this competition, giving many emerging filmmakers their first “calling card” film and mid-level filmmakers an opportunity to build their filmography. Many of these films have gone on to be screened at festivals around the world and have won many awards.
From May to August, 16 best teams are selected across the 10 Minute Shorts category and 1 Minute Ultra Shorts categories — all chosen from written pitch submissions to become the MAMM Finalists of the year. The teams then enter a masterclass-level MAMMentorship that includes group workshops and 1-on-1 mentorship. The competition involves the challenge of completing your film in 10 days, after which all finished films are screened at the Gala Screening on August 30, 2025 and adjudicated for filmmaking awards and prizes.
details
This year, we’re supercharging MAMM with exciting new additions to spotlight emerging filmmaking talent:
Celebrating 20 Years
In celebration of its 20th year, MAMM is giving over $10,000 cash awards and $50,000 in-kind awards!
NEW The Innovation in Storytelling Award , founded by Leon Ng, Lifetime Benefactor of VAFF
This award recognizes emerging filmmakers who are reimagining how stories are told by embracing new formats, technologies, or creative approaches. With a $1,000 award for one standout innovative filmmaker across all categories, Leon Ng aims to champion a new generation of storytellers—encouraging bold vision, creative risk-taking, and a fearless reimagining of the future of film.
NEW MAMM Vertical Series
As Vertical Shorts are rapidly gaining traction globally, VAFF is aspiring to elevate this format and launching a third category in its competition – MAMM Vertical Series! 3 teams will be selected to make micro-episodes with a total runtime of 8 minutes. Their completed Vertical Series will be judged online and the winner will be announced and screened at the Gala Screening.
NEW Submission Platform
Filmmakers can now submit their pitches through FilmFreeway, the world’s leading film festival submission platform.
Early Bird and Student Prices
Pitching
All submissions must include a pitch. For 10 Minute Shorts and Vertical Series, a 3-minute video pitch is required, while for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will require a written pitch.
Creative Element
All teams in all categories must incorporate the Creative Element “Beyond Asian”, the VAFF organization (VAFF/Industry/Elimin8Hate) theme this year, into your film and show how you will use it creatively, fearlessly and uniquely in your pitch.
MAMM X Elimin8Hate
The winner of the 1-Minute Ultra Short category — as well as other shortlisted videos — will be amplified through Elimin8Hate’s My Stories, Our Stories campaign. This initiative empowers Asian Canadians to engage beyond words and stereotypes through sharing authentic stories and pitching them to media outlets and broadcasters.
Cash Support for all Finalists
The selected 8 Teams of 10 Minute Shorts will receive $1,000 per team, the selected 8 Teams of 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will receive $150 per team, and the selected 3 Teams of Vertical Series will receive $500 per team. Conditions apply.
MAMM20 is open NATIONWIDE!
Any Canadian or Canadian Permanent Resident across Canada can enter and will receive travel assistance, if available, to attend the MAMM 20 Gala Screening and Awards Presentation in Vancouver as a Finalist.
The Rise of Vertical Short Series: A New Frontier in Entertainment
Vertical short series, also known as micro-dramas, are transforming the way audiences consume content. Designed for mobile-first viewing, this explosive format is already generating billions in Asia and rapidly gaining traction worldwide.
With over 30 million downloads and $10M in monthly revenue, platforms like ReelShort are outpacing even TikTok. China’s micro-drama market surged to $7B in 2024, rivaling its century-old film industry.
For its 20th Anniversary, MAMM is aspiring to elevate this format. We are launching a new Vertical Series competition in collaboration with local innovators behind viral hits like Rags 2 Richmond. This is a bold new category designed to fuel the next wave of creators and capture a rapidly growing global audience.
The Innovation in Storytelling Award recognizes emerging filmmakers who are reimagining how stories are told by embracing new formats, technologies, or creative approaches. From vertical video to immersive storytelling, the award celebrates bold, forward-thinking creators who are shaping the future of film.
The Innovation in Storytelling Award was established with the generous support of Leon Ng, a longtime supporter and Lifetime Benefactor of VAFF, to encourage emerging filmmakers to push the boundaries of how stories are told using innovative thinking and techniques. As a filmmaker and founder of LNG Studios, Leon has built a career at the intersection of innovation and creativity.
Through this award, Leon aims to empower a new generation of storytellers to innovate fearlessly, experiment with form, and shape the future of film.
About Leon Ng:
Leon Ng is a creative media entrepreneur and founder of LNG Studios, specializing in real estate visualization and proptech solutions. With a background in broadcasting and film, his passion for storytelling drives his approach to innovation. Leon serves on several boards and has been recognized with Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and the BC Medal of Good Citizenship.
MAMMentorship
To help emerging filmmakers make the best film they can, VAFF offers the top selected teams to take part in the MAMMentorship program. In this program, qualifying teams will join specialized workshops by industry professionals and all Teams are paired with filmmaker veterans as their team mentor. Starting this year, workshops will be more in-depth, spanning a longer period for more prep time and more deliverables to help increase success during the production process. One-on-one mentors will provide guidance to all Teams from script development to production to finished film, but will not get involved directly with the actual production process nor become a team member.
MAMM Community
Looking for local talent for your film project? Looking for actors and production crew members for your MAMM film or independent film project?
Check out our Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon Public Group on Facebook to post your cast and crew calls, and find some fantastic local talent to work on your shoot. Introduce and post about yourself if you would like to join a team.
Prizes & Awards:
Perks & Promotions:
1. What are the rules?
Please read the MAMM 2025 Information Package carefully for more details.
2. What is the role of Key Creative Members?
All key creative team members (e.g. Team Lead, Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer) and at least one (1) Lead Actor.
3. What will be considered disqualification?
4. Can I submit multiple projects?
There is one entry per primary registrant, per category. (10 min Shorts, 1 min Ultra Shorts, or Vertical Series)
5. How do I attend the Info Session?
The MAMM20 Info Session will be on Thursday, May 1st at 6pm, followed by a MAMM Social. If you missed the session, there is a Zoom Q&A potentially on May 21, 2025. Details will be on Facebook and Instagram.
Althea Alabat
Revy Barber
Jessica Ruiz
Jared Yu
Hattie Xu
Jeminn Chan
Gorrman Lee is a Chinese-Canadian screenwriter and producer whose credits include: CBC & CW’s Wild Cards; Prime Video’s The Lake; Netflix’s The Imperfects, and The Order; and Syfy’s Van Helsing. His feature film, Golden Delicious, screened at 57 festivals and won Outstanding Feature Film Writing at the ReelWorld Film Festival, and Best Canadian Feature Film at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. It had its Canadian theatrical premiere in 2023. Gorrman resides in Vancouver with his wife, daughter, and cat.
Jenny’s an actor & filmmaker based in Vancouver. Her debut short film Breakaway played in festivals across North America and was selected in the Top 9 of 2020’s CBC Short Film Face Off. She recently directed TELUS Originals documentary Overtime about her mom’s 55+ hockey team which earned her a nomination for the “One to Watch” award by the Vancouver Film Critics Circle. She’s an alumnus of the VIFF Catalyst mentorship program, BIPOC TV & Film Showrunner Bootcamp, GEMS TV Producer Lab and the Women in The Director’s Chair Story & Leadership program.
An award-winning producer/writer/director Nimisha Mukerji’s films have premiered at Tribeca and the Toronto International Film Festival. Her breakout feature 65_RedRoses, was selected by Oprah Winfrey for her Documentary Club on OWN. As a DGA/DGC episodic director her recent credits include Hulu’s limited series Under the Bridge, Big Sky (ABC), My Life With the Walter Boys (Netflix), Gotham Knights (CW), season 1 & 2 of Allegiance (CBC). She is the co-creator of New Country, developed with support from Warner Media’s 150 Program and Creative BC, alongside her debut feature See Jane Fight, produced by Alcina Pictures.
Phil Planta is a BC based filmmaker, film instructor, film festival juror, and VFX artist. He is producer of the independent feature ‘Beyond Redemption’ which sold in over 30 countries, Netflix, and was acquired by Well Go USA. A prolific producer of short films, he has produced TELUS STORYHIVE’s award winning shorts ‘Akashi’ and ‘Gong Ju’, Crazy8s finalists ‘Gemini’ & ‘Parabola, and the Harold Greenberg shorts ‘In Loving Memory’ and ‘Duérmete Niño’. He was selected to be a part the advisory committee for The Canada Media Fund’s Trends Report 2023.
Robin is a seasoned media producer and adept arts administrator, specializing in the Motion Picture Industry. With a wealth of experience in content acquisition, distribution, and development, Robin has most recently served as a Program Analyst for Creative BC. There, he managed the administration of provincial funding initiatives, including the Production Program, Slate Development Program, and the Equity and Emerging Development Program.
Phil Planta is a BC based filmmaker, film instructor, film festival juror, and VFX artist. He is producer of the independent feature ‘Beyond Redemption’ which sold in over 30 countries, Netflix, and was acquired by Well Go USA. A prolific producer of short films, he has produced TELUS STORYHIVE’s award winning shorts ‘Akashi’ and ‘Gong Ju’, Crazy8s finalists ‘Gemini’ & ‘Parabola, and the Harold Greenberg shorts ‘In Loving Memory’ and ‘Duérmete Niño’. He was selected to be a part of the advisory committee for The Canada Media Fund’s Trends Report 2023.
Joshua Aries is a filmmaker that makes the fan-favorite films, striving to tell stories that exemplify perseverance, hope, and absurdity. With brushes with the Cannes Film Festival, features on Cineplex, and multiple film festival selections. He is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre’s Editing Lab and ½ the owner of the popular filmmaking, finger fighting channel @DanielandJosh on TikTok.
Tammy Tsang is an award-winning screenwriter from Vancouver. Her story experience includes the development rooms of a AAA video game through The Coalition Studio and Indigenous series, HEY CUZZIN’, and season twelve of WHEN CALLS THE HEART (Hallmark). She is an alum of the Pacific Screenwriting Program’s Scripted Series Lab 2022 cohort, a recipient of the 2022 Rogers-BSO Development Fund, current ReelWorld E20 program cohort, and developing a Short Form Series through IPF.
Kaayla Whachell is a cinematographer living on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations (Vancouver, Canada). She is a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s Film Production Program and an Associate Member of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers. She is also co-chair of the CSC’s Diversity Committee.
Kaayla’s first feature film, Portraits from a Fire, directed by Trevor Mack, won her “Best Cinematography” at the 2022 Leo Awards. Kaayla is known for her work on I’m Just Here for the Riot, an ESPN 30 for 30 directed by Kat Jayme and Asia Youngman. Kaayla’s commercial work includes clients such as CIBC, Lululemon, Mastercard and A&W. And in 2023 she collaborated with director Sterling Larose on SNRK’s music video Damn Right, which was just nominated for a Juno.
As a woman of mixed descent (Okinawan, Red River Metis, Czech), Kaayla continues to ally BIPOC filmmakers by showcasing their stories. She strives to produce a diverse film set for all people to thrive and create within.
Raugi Yu originally from Montreal, is a graduate of The Dome Theatre program at Dawson College and The BFA Acting program at UBC. He has acted in various theatres across Canada and the U.S. Moving seamlessly between stage and film.
You may recognize Raugi from shows like, Mr. Young, jPod and Kung-Fu. Director for feature film Attic Trunk on Apple and Two episodes of Some Assembly Required. Raugi is an instructor, private coach and mentor to many actors.His favourite teaching and learning tool is genuine curiosity from the heart and he is always curious about the, “Who am I?”
Born and raised in Richmond, BC, Jamie Lam (she/her) is an emerging director, writer, and filmmaker. Her MAMM17 short film, “The Mess We’re In”, has played at festivals such as TIFF Next Wave, St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, and will be premiering on CBC Gem in September 2024 as part of CBC Short Film Face Off.
Joshua Aries is a filmmaker that makes the fan-favorite films, striving to tell stories that exemplify perseverance, hope, and absurdity. With brushes with the Cannes Film Festival, features on Cineplex, and multiple film festival selections. He is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre’s Editing Lab and ½ the owner of the popular filmmaking, finger fighting channel @DanielandJosh on TikTok.
Arthur Rodger ‘Harley’ Maranan is a film writer, director, and composer from Manila, Philippines. He’s best known for his stories that seek to define—and redefine—the roles of Asians in the modern world, told through his unique Filipino blend of humor and drama. His films include “Hail Marie”, “Little Manila”, and “Maria”. Harley continues to work in the film industry with a primary focus on location sound mixing and composing—all while developing his next film project.
Elad is a DGC director, producer and editor, based in Vancouver, BC. Born and raised in Israel and with a background in development, graphic design and marketing, Elad graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BFA in Film Production. He co-founded Scopitone Films in 2012 and has produced, directed and edited multiple commercials, documentaries, narratives and music videos.
Ingo Lou co-founded Trembling Void Studios, a Vancouver-based production company specializing in optimistic genre content. He has produced over ten feature films as well as the critically acclaimed, Leo Award-winning television series, The Switch – Work. Love. Mortal Danger. Since 2013, he has supported the creation of over 70 short films in mentorship and production roles and created Trembling Void _Space, Canada’s first coworking studio for independent filmmakers. Ingo serves as faculty member at Capilano University’s School of Motion Picture Arts, where he teaches line producing and production management.
Tammy Tsang is an award-winning screenwriter from Vancouver. Her story experience includes the development rooms of a AAA video game through The Coalition Studio and Indigenous series, HEY CUZZIN’, and season twelve of WHEN CALLS THE HEART (Hallmark). She is an alum of the Pacific Screenwriting Program’s Scripted Series Lab 2022 cohort, a recipient of the 2022 Rogers-BSO Development Fund, current ReelWorld E20 program cohort, and developing a Short Form Series through IPF.
Tesh Guttikonda is a fantastic dinner party host based in Vancouver, BC. And by extension, brings the same energy and passion to his filmmaking, having written and directed multiple award-winning films with collaborative joie de vivre that spotlights underrepresented characters through comedy and genre-bending experiences. He wasn’t always this awesome, and the backstory of how he overcame impossible odds is rooted in the DNA of his films.
Shubham is a Director with an unquenchable passion for sharing compelling narratives rooted in South Asian culture. Having helmed numerous short films and documentaries, each with a distinctive voice and profound messages, Shubham’s acclaimed short film “Cash Cows”, which is the story of a young immigrant falling into an employment scam, secured the Best Screenplay award at the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon in 2023 and is currently doing its festival run. Beyond his independent projects, Shubham contributes as an assistant director to renowned TV shows and feature films such as “Fire Country,” “Lost in Space,” “Riverdale,” and Disney’s “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
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We are grateful to live and work on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We thank the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities that have cared for Turtle Island since time immemorial. With this acknowledgment, we remind ourselves of discriminatory, racist and colonial practices that have and continue to create barriers for Indigenous peoples and communities across Turtle Island.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2024. All Rights Reserved.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2024. All Rights Reserved.
