Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, and director Edward Berger attended the Canadian premiere of Ballad of a Small Player 《小人物之歌》 at TIFF 2025. Set in the neon-lit world of Macau’s casinos, the film follows Lord Doyle (Farrell), a washed-up gambler offered a second chance by the enigmatic Dao Ming (Chen), while pursued by a relentless investigator (Tilda Swinton). Directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), the film also stars Deanie Ip and Alex Jennings.
Read MoreShu Qi 舒淇 made her North American directorial debut with the world premiere of Girl at the Toronto International Film Festival on the afternoon of September 9, warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of loyal fans. Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl follows the story of Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn teenager living under the weight of silent sorrow. Her world begins to shift after meeting Li-li, a vibrant, carefree classmate whose friendship rekindles long-suppressed dreams.
Read MoreIn its continuing showcase of bold and nuanced storytelling, TIFF 2025 highlights a diverse range of Asian cinema that grounds the personal in the political, and the poetic in the everyday. This latest selection of films brings together a quartet of distinct directorial voices from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hungary, and China, each examining the quiet revolutions within private lives.
Read MoreIn this first roundup, we look at five standout films: The Sun Rises on Us All, Palimpsest: The Story of a Name, Lucky Lu, Amoeba, and Girl, each distinct in tone and style, yet deeply connected by emotional resonance and cultural reflection. These stories span geographies and genres: from Guangzhou’s aching past to the immigrant realities of New York, from the haunting intimacy of family trauma to the rebellion of young women pushing against systemic constraint. Some films confront generational wounds or buried identities; others capture moments of quiet survival or poetic self-reinvention.
Read MoreMaking Waves Montreal 2025 returns from September 18–20 at Cinéma Cineplex Forum, showcasing six new Hong Kong films, including The Last Dance: Extended Version starring Dayo Wong and Michael Hui, Papa by Philip Yung with Sean Lau, and My First of May starring Aaron Kwok and Gigi Leung. Meet filmmakers and talent in exclusive post-screening Q&As.
Read MoreTIFF 2025 is almost here, and this year’s lineup is packed with boundary-pushing stories from across Asia and the diaspora. To help you navigate the lineup, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting films from Chinese and Asian filmmakers premiering at the festival, spanning historical epics, haunting dramas, offbeat comedies, and supernatural tales.
Read MoreAfter a successful festival run including a screening at the Raindance Film Festival, the Hong Kong adaptation of Richard Linklater’s TAPE is set to hit UK cinemas from 22 August 2025. The film brings new cultural depth and dramatic intensity to the classic one-room thriller. Stay tuned for more screening updates, including upcoming showings in Canada!
Read MoreThe 2025 Mulan International Film Festival returns to Innis Town Hall from August 8–17. Dedicated to fostering an appreciation of pan-Chinese cinema in Canada, the 6th edition will showcase 38 films over 10 days. Spanning eras, regions, and languages, this year’s program offers a vital platform for engaging with the richness and diversity of pan-Chinese storytelling.
Read MoreComing to Canadian cinemas this Friday, The Way We Talk is the latest film from acclaimed director Adam Wong 黃修平 (The Way We Dance and She Remembers, He Forgets), known for his genre-defying storytelling. With a sensitive and objective lens, Wong leads audiences into the world of the Deaf community, offering a narrative that is both inclusive and deeply human. Starring Neo Yau, Chung Suet Ying, and Marco Ng.
Read MoreFrom two of Hong Kong’s most daring new voices—directors Jeffrey Lam and Antonio Tam—Valley of the Shadow of Death is an unflinching cinematic debut that confronts the uneasy space between faith and human frailty. Starring three-time Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor Anthony Wong and stage icon Louisa So, this haunting drama follows a pastor whose daughter was raped and driven to suicide—only to be faced years later with the return of her assailant, now a penitent church member.
Read MoreIn Peg O’ My Heart, Hong Kong icon Nick Cheung directs and stars in a gripping psychological thriller exploring dreams, regret, and redemption. With stellar performances by Fala Chen and Terrance Lau, this visually stunning film blends horror with social commentary on mental health and morality.
Read MoreNick Cheung’s latest psychological thriller takes audiences behind the world of dreams to confront what lies deep within the heart. Starring Fala Chen and Terrance Lau, in Canadian cinemas June 13th.
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