about
Unlocking insider knowledge for the next generation of cinema.
Since 2013, the VAFF Industry Program has been tackling the real questions facing our industry—connecting emerging and seasoned creators to champion diverse representation across every area of filmmaking.
Here’s what’s coming up in our VAFF Industry Insight Series (VI²) & Filmmaker Talks Series (VF):
🌸 Spring (May): Asian Heritage Month Edition
☀️ Summer (July): EXNW x RESO Partnership
🍂 Fall (November): Vancouver Asian Film Festival
Whether you’re behind the camera or in the writer’s room, it’s time to level up your craft.
Interested in exploring more about the filming industry? Follow industry news at VAFF on LinkedIn!
overview
Unlock the Industry. Elevate Your Story.
Designed for filmmakers committed to diverse representation, this series brings you direct access to key stages of the creative process:
Producer Experience: Inside guidance on development and production realities
Writer’s Room Workshop: Collaborative storytelling and script refining
Pitching for Funding: Crafting compelling pitches that land support
Casting Workshop: Building authentic onscreen representation from day one
True insight comes from real experience.
A core pillar of this series features deep-dive case studies that trace the complete journey of selected filmmakers across multiple genres. From the early spark of development and the complexities of funding to post-production and final distribution strategies, these sessions reveal the exact decisions, challenges, and breakthroughs that brought each project from script to screen. Designed to demystify the business of filmmaking, this immersive look at real case studies equips creators with actionable strategies for bringing their own vision to market.
important dates
details
“OUR OCEAN TABLE” Presented by VAFF Industry Filmmaker Talks Series – Vancouver Asian Film Festival
Free premiere screening + live Q&A with directors Sonya Lee and Jon Chiang. Moderated by Susie Lee. Limited seats available.
Where culture meets conservation, one dish at a time.
Be among the first to experience OUR OCEAN TABLE, a visually stunning new docuseries that dives into Korean food, identity, and our deep connection to the ocean.
Hosted by filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Sonya Lee and journalist Hannah Sung, the series journeys from prawn boats to popular restaurant kitchens, uncovering how Korean food is tied to a healthy ocean.
This exclusive Vancouver premiere launches the three-part series, streaming on TELUS Optik TV, TELUS Stream+ and CBC Gem during Asian Heritage Month.
Watch the trailer: linked here.
FULL DAY – How to pitch Hands-on- workshop in partnering with Elimin8Hate’s My Stories are Our Stories campaign on June 6, 2025
Part 1 Presenter: Helen Yagi, PR Media Consultant
Helen Yagi has worked in Film and Arts PR and Marketing for several years for the Vancouver International Film Festival; and recently for Knowledge Network, and Stop Asian Hate. She was also the Associate Producer of the feature length documentary, How to Be a Model, that premiered at the VIFF and broadcast on CBC TV.
Part 2 Presenter: TBA
This workshop is intended for producers, creators, filmmakers who want to learn to pitch your unique Asian Story to the media. Workshop key takeaways:
Applications must be submitted by June 4, 2025 (11:59 PM) PST will be evaluated by Presenters, and VAFF executive. Selected 20 participants will need to be available for all day (10:00 am – 4:00 pm) on June 6, 2025 at the Vancouver location. The workshop includes how to pitch to media to work individually and in groups.
Selected 20 participants are required to pay for the series fee $30. They will receive the VAFF industry insight series event ticket to the 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
Submission Period: Now – June 4, 2025 (11:59 PM PST). Selected participants’ announcement will be on June 5, 2025.
Applicants should submit their applications as follows:
Step 1: Fill out the How to Pitch Workshop 2025 Application Form
Step 2: Email the following required documents to industry@vaff.org
Required Documents:
a) Applicant information: Short Bio (50 words) and Headshot
b) A sample of the pitch deck (3-10 pages) of your project (short film, feature, series, TV pilot, play, etc..)
The files should be named in the following format: applicantfullname_document name 2025
Please only submit the full document in pdf or Word files [pdf, doc, docx].
Note: Once submitted, applicants cannot change anything in their applications. Submit cautiously.
details
Two-day TV writing workshop on July 16-17, 2025, led by the creator / writer of Kim’s Convenience, Ins Choi.
INS CHOI was born in Korea but grew up and currently lives in Toronto with his wife and two kids. He recently played the part of Appa in the stage production of his play, Kim’s Convenience, in the UK and at soulpepper in Toronto. It’ll tour this fall to various U.S. theatres including A.C.T in San Francisco. He’s also written the plays, Son of a Preacherman, Bad Parent and has taught writing through various organizations.
This workshop is intended for screenwriters, playwrights or other kinds of writers (sketch, standup, improv, etc) who want to learn about writing sitcoms. The purpose is to demystify the TV writing process in this fun, hands on writing workshop. It’s a real hands-on workshop where Ins takes the participants through the nuts and bolts of writing.
Applications must be submitted by June 14, 2025 (11:59 PM) PST will be evaluated by Ins Choi, VAFF executive and Third Party evaluator. Selected 9-12 participants will need to be available for both days all day (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) on July 16 – 17, 2025 at the Vancouver location. The workshop includes pitch ideas, developing stories, outline, script, work individually and in groups over the course of two days.
Selected 9-12 participants are required to pay for the series fee $50. They will receive the VAFF industry pass to the 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival.
Submission Period: May 26, 2025– June 14, 2025 (11:59 PM PST). Selected participants’ announcement will be on July 3, 2025.
Applicants should submit their applications as follows:
Step 1: Fill out the Two-Day Writing Workshop 2025 Application Form
Step 2: Email the following required documents to industry@vaff.org
Required Documents:
a) Applicant information: Resume and Headshot
b) A cover letter introducing themselves (150 – 250 words)
c) Ten pages of a writing sample involving dialogue or script ( (short film, feature, series, screenplay, pilot, etc..)
The files should be named in the following format: applicantfullname_document name 2025
Please only submit the full document in pdf or Word files [pdf, doc, docx].
Note: Once submitted, applicants cannot change anything in their applications. Submit cautiously.
videos
sponsors
Regina Leung
Director of VAFF Industry
Khanh Nguyen
Industry Program Lead
Louis Poulain
Industry Program Lead
Alisha Weng
Editor/ Graphic Designer
past events