MIGHTY ASIAN MOVIEMAKING MARATHON

program STRUCTURE

Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon (MAMM)

MAMM is VAFF’s annual short filmmaking competition, celebrating its 19th year. Its goal is to foster emerging Asian and mixed Asian filmmakers by offering them both an educational experience as well as an opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience and potential distributors. Over 180 MAMM films have been made 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 premiere festivals around the world and have won many awards. VAFF is very proud of its many MAMMers who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the entertainment and media industry, and the community that MAMM has built. We look forward to incubating, nurturing, and celebrating many more talented creators. Choose the Genre. Pitch the Story. Make the Film.

overview

Each year between May and August, the 8 best teams in the 10 Minute Shorts category are selected from video pitch submissions, and the 8 best teams in the 1 Minute Ultra Shorts category are 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 and adjudicated for filmmaking awards and prizes.

The Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon typically consists of two entry categories:

a 10 minute short film category and a 1 minute ultra short category.

Judges

Gorrman Lee

Writer

Gorrman Lee

Writer

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 Lee-Gilmore

Filmmaker/Actor

Jenny Lee-Gilmore

Filmmaker/Actor

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.

Nimisha Mukerji

Producer/Writer/Director

Nimisha Mukerji

Producer/Writer/Director

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

Filmmaker/ Film Instructor

Phil Planta

Filmmaker/ Film Instructor

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 Macabulos

Media Producer

Robin Macabulos

Media Producer

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.

LECTURERS

Phil Planta

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.

Josh Aries

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

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

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

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?”

Mentors

Jamie Lam

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.

Josh Aries

Harley Maranan

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 Tzadok

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

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

Tesh Guttikonda

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 Chhabra

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.”

Producers | Production Team

PRODUCERS

TEAM

PRODUCERS

TEAM

videos

mamm on vaff tv

watch now

BETWEEN 2 MAMMERS - EPISODE 1

BETWEEN 2 MAMMERS - EPISODE 2

BETWEEN 2 MAMMERS - EPISODE 3

key dates

DATE	time	info
April 26, 2024	12:00 am PST 6:00 pm PST	Registration Opens MAMM19 Info Session & Launch Party
May 15, 2024	10:00 am PST	MAMM 19 Online Q&A
May 29, 2024	11:59 pm PST	Registration and Pitch Submissions Deadline
Jun 5, 2024	1:00 pm PST	Selected Teams Adjudication Results Announced
Jun 10, 2024	11:59 pm PST	Preliminary Budget & WIP Script Submission
Jun 15, 2024	10:00 am PST	MAMMentorship Workshops 1
Jun 30, 2024	10:00 am PST	MAMMentorship Workshops 2
July 16, 2024	11:59 pm PST	Script Submission Deadline
July 19 – July 28, 2024	12:00 am PST – 11:59 pm PST	Competition Period (Film Production/Post Production)
July 28, 2024	11:59 pm PST	Film Submission Deadline
August 31, 2024	7:00 pm PST	MAMM19 Gala Screening & Awards Presentation

details

Returning Summer of 2024:
The Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon

MAMM is moving up the submissions earlier to deepen the mentorship aspect.
This year, the MAMMentorship program will be more in-depth with more in-person group workshops, and more personal guidance to assist you through the competition and production process .
More networking opportunities will be starting with an Info Session and MAMM social to kick off submissions on April 26.
Early Bird Submission period is April 26 – May 3: $50 for 10 Minute Shorts; $10 for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts.
Regular Submission period is May 4 – 29: $60 for 10 Minute Shorts; $15 for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts.
The selected 8 Teams of 10 Minute Shorts will receive $1,000 per team, and the selected 8 Teams of 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will also receive $150 per team. Conditions apply.
Submitting for 10 Minute Shorts will require a 3-minute video pitch, while submitting for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will require a written pitch.
For 10 Minute Shorts, you must incorporate the Creative Element “Empowering Voices, Shaping Tomorrow”, VAFF’s theme this year, into your film and show how you will use it in your video pitch.
For 1 Minute Ultra Shorts, MAMM is collaborating with Elimin8Hate (E8) to bring awareness to their campaign of the year, “Positive Visibility”. The theme of “Breaking Stereotypes” must be reflected in your written pitch.
Starting this year, all teams will have 2 film deliverables: one for competition and one for screening.
MAMM19 is open NATIONWIDE! Any Canadian or Permanent Resident of Canada can lead a Team to enter from anywhere in the country and will be sponsored to come to Vancouver for the MAMM 19 Gala Screening and Awards Presentation.

For details, please read the MAMM2024 Information Package.

Registration and Information Package

Registration opens on April 26, 2024 and closes at 11:59pm May 29, 2024
Early Bird Submission period is April 26- May 3, 2024. Non-refundable Early Bird registration fees are $50 per 10 Min. Shorts team and $10 per 1 Min. Ultra Shorts team.
Regular Submission period is May 4 – May 29th, 2024. Non-refundable registration fees are $60 per 10 Min. Shorts team and $15 per 1 Min. Ultra Shorts team.
MAMM 2024 Entry Form – 10 minute short category

MAMM 2024 Entry Form – 1 minute ultra-short category
Payments and Video Pitches/Written Pitches may be submitted separately, but are due on May 29, 2024, or the submission will be disqualified.
Any questions regarding your registrations can be emailed to mamm@vaff.org
Please read the MAMM 2024 Information Package (link to come) carefully for more details.

Join the MAMM19 Info Session on Friday, April 26, 2024 for discounts and lucky draws. If you missed the session, there is a Zoom Q&A on May 15, 2024. Details will be on Facebook and Instagram.

MAMM19 Perks and Prizes

The perks of being selected as one of the top 8 competing teams include exclusive mentorship, cash, in-kind support, marketing opportunities, prizes, special screenings and awards. Specifically:
MAMM Production:

8 selected 10 Minutes Shorts teams will receive $1,000 and 8 selected 1 Minute Ultra Short teams will receive $150 to make their MAMM Short.
In-Kind Support for the production.

MAMMentorship Program:

ONE-ON-ONE mentorship with selected teams and industry professionals
GROUP workshops.

Digital promotion for the selected teams on social media and PR opportunities. Cash prizes and industry in-kind prizes will be awarded for the following adjudicated categories.

Best Film Award
Best Director Award
Best First Time Director Award
Best Performance Award
Best Screenwriting Award
Best Cinematography Award

In-kind prizes are given to the audience voted People’s Choice Award winners.

The People’s Choice Award: Best Overall Short
The People’s Choice Award: Best Performance

All the aforementioned winners will be announced and awarded at the MAMM Gala Screening and Awards Presentation event on August 31, 2024. Award winners will be showcased as official selections at the 28th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival, November 7 – 17, 2024. Distribution for the winning shorts may be available through VAFF media partners. See the MAMM 2024 Information Package for more details.

MAMMentorship and MAMM Community

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 10 Minute Shorts 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 for 10 Minute Shorts 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. Find Talent!

FAQ

1.What are the rules?

Please read the MAMM 2024 Information Package (link to come) 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?

Any submitted pitch video longer than 3 minutes. Judges will not watch any material beyond the 3-minute mark.
Any team that does not have at least one key creative member of self-identify on being as Asian or part Asian heritage.
Any submitted film that does not have at least one lead actor of Asian heritage/part Asian heritage.
Any film found not to be created originally for MAMM will be disqualified and will not be screened.
Any final films and required materials not submitted before the final deadline time.
Submitted films that are significantly different from the video pitch and submitted script.

4.Can I submit multiple projects?

There is one entry per primary registrant, per category. (10 min Shorts or 1 min Ultra Shorts)

5.How do I attend the Info Session?

The MAMM19 Info Session will be at East Vancouver Brewing Company (1675 Venables Street in Vancouver) on Friday, April 26 from 6pm – 7pm, followed by a MAMM Social until 11pm. If you missed the session, there is a Zoom Q&A on May 15, 2024. Details will be on Facebook and Instagram.

details

HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR 2024

MAMM is moving up the submissions earlier to deepen the mentorship aspect.
This year, the MAMMentorship program will be more in-depth with more in-person group workshops, and more personal guidance to assist you through the competition and production process .
There will be more networking opportunities starting with an Info Session and MAMM social to kick off submissions on April 26.
Early Bird Submission period is April 26 – May 3: $50 for 10 Minute Shorts; $10 for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts.
Regular Submission period is May 4 – 29: $60 for 10 Minute Shorts; $15 for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts.
The selected 8 Teams of 10 Minute Shorts will receive $1,000 per team, and the selected 8 Teams of 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will also receive $150 per team. Conditions apply.
Submitting for 10 Minute Shorts will require a 3-minute video pitch, while submitting for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts will require a written pitch.
For 10 Minute Shorts, you must incorporate the Creative Element “Empowering Voices, Shaping Tomorrow”, VAFF’s theme this year, into your film and show how you will use it in your video pitch.
For 1 Minute Ultra Shorts, MAMM is collaborating with Elimin8Hate (E8) to bring awareness to their campaign of the year, “Positive Visibility”. The theme of “Breaking Stereotypes” must be reflected in your written pitch.
Starting this year, all teams will have 2 film deliverables: one for competition and one for screening.
MAMM19 is open NATIONWIDE! Any Canadian or Permanent Resident of Canada can lead a Team to enter from anywhere in the country and will be sponsored to come to Vancouver for the MAMM 19 Gala Screening and Awards Presentation.

For details, please read the MAMM 2024 Information Package.

Registration and Information Package

Registration opens on April 26, 2024 and closes at 11:59pm May 29, 2024
Early Bird Submission period is April 26- May 3, 2024. Non-refundable Early Bird registration fees are $50 per 10 Min. Shorts team and $10 per 1 Min. Ultra Shorts team.
Regular Submission period is May 4 – May 29th, 2024. Non-refundable registration fees are $60 per 10 Min. Shorts team and $15 per 1 Min. Ultra Shorts team.
MAMM 2024 Entry Form – 10 minute short category
MAMM 2024 Entry Form – 1 minute ultra-short category
Payments and Video Pitches/Written Pitches may be submitted separately, but are due on May 29, 2024, or the submission will be disqualified.
Any questions regarding your registrations can be emailed to mamm@vaff.org
Please read the MAMM 2024 Information Package carefully for more details.

Join the MAMM19 Info Session on Friday, April 26, 2024 for discounts. If you missed the session, there is a Zoom Q&A on May 15, 2024. Details will be on Facebook and Instagram.

MAMM19 Perks and Prizes

MAMM Production:

8 selected 10 Minutes Shorts teams will receive $1,000 and 8 selected 1 Minute Ultra Short teams will receive $150 to make their MAMM Short.
In-Kind Support for the production.

MAMMentorship Program:

ONE-ON-ONE mentorship with selected teams and industry professionals
GROUP workshops.

Digital promotion for the selected teams on social media and PR opportunities. Cash prizes and industry in-kind prizes will be awarded for the following adjudicated categories.

Best Film Award
Best Director Award
Best First Time Director Award
Best Performance Award
Best Screenwriting Award
Best Cinematography Award

In-kind prizes are given to the audience voted People’s Choice Award winners.

The People’s Choice Award: Best Overall Short
The People’s Choice Award: Best Performance

MAMMentorship and MAMM Community

FAQ

1. What are the rules? Please read the MAMM 2024 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?

Any submitted pitch video longer than 3 minutes. Judges will not watch any material beyond the 3-minute mark.
Any team that does not have at least one key creative member of self-identify on being as Asian or part Asian heritage.
Any submitted film that does not have at least one lead actor of Asian heritage/part Asian heritage.
Any film found not to be created originally for MAMM will be disqualified and will not be screened.
Any final films and required materials not submitted before the final deadline time.
Submitted films that are significantly different from the video pitch and submitted script.

4.Can I submit multiple projects? There is one entry per primary registrant, per category. (10 min Shorts or 1 min Ultra Shorts) 5.How do I attend the Info Session? The MAMM19 Info Session will be at East Vancouver Brewing Company (1675 Venables Street in Vancouver) on Friday, April 26 from 6pm – 7pm, followed by a MAMM Social until 11pm. If you missed the session, there is a Zoom Q&A on May 15, 2024. Details will be on Facebook and Instagram.