Asian Heritage Month: short film spotlight with an intro from NSI’s Jessica Gibson

Jessica-Gibson
Jess-Gibson

Jessica Gibson

Manager of Programs & Development

Hi! I’m Jessica Gibson – born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I’m Chinese and Mennonite and, growing up on the outskirts of Winnipeg, I found I wasn’t surrounded by many folks who looked like me in real life or the media.

Having worked in film and television production for over a decade I was made aware of the struggle to achieve representation in front of and behind the camera for many communities. Now I’m privileged to continue working towards that goal with the National Screen Institute.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce a few films from the NSI Online Short Film Festival archive in celebration of Asian Heritage Month and Asian representation.

Now more than ever, I think it’s important to find common ground with each other. These commonalities build empathy and break down barriers. I think storytelling is a powerful tool that allows us to forge these connections.

I chose these films because I connected with each story and I hope you will too, no matter where you’re from.

The Suitcase

The Suitcase | Drama, 10:57, Mandarin with English subtitles, ON, 2016 | Director: Philip Leung

A mother from rural China must calm her daughter over the phone as she is smuggled to Canada in a suitcase. As her daughter confronts airline attendants, guard dogs and baggage handlers from within the suitcase, the mother paints a rosy picture of her daughter’s surroundings in order for her not to panic.

This live action/animated film deals with the resilience of immigrants and the lengths they go through to establish a better future for their family.

Mattress

Mattress | Comedy, 9:47, English, Mandarin, BC, 2014 | Director: Michelle Kee

After Little Boy Lee and his family dump an old mattress in an alley, the mattress sparks an all-out suburban war. Dodging rotten eggs and Molotov cocktails, it’s up to the youngest member of the Lee family to do the right thing.

Mrs. Wang

Mrs. Wang | Documentary, 10:15, Chinese, QC, 2016 | Director: Giuliano Bossa

A short portrait of Wang Yaoping, a classically trained dancer of traditional Chinese ballet and owner of a corner store on the south shore of Montreal.

Jessica Gibson is a manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute.


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