School Program Grades 4-6

Nov 19 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm |
Nov 20 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

What does it mean to be “strong”? The characters in these narratives navigate society’s attitudes towards immigrant, race and gender, showing the complicated journey in staying true to oneself despite the circumstances. This program provides tales of resistance, independence and confidence.

Tree #3

Year: 2019
Genre: Drama, Short
Country: USA
Language: Hebrew, English
Audio: Partial Engish subtitles
Length: 20 min

After he’s been cast (again!) as a background tree in his annual middle school play, an ambitious and imaginative immigrant boy leads a revolution on stage that his intolerant drama teacher will never forget.

Directed by

Omer Ben Shachar

Omer Ben Shachar is an Israeli director based in Los Angeles. Omer enjoys telling honest, character-driven stories that find the comedy in our insecurities and fears of being outsiders, and that ultimately celebrate the joy of individuality. Most recently, the Television Academy Foundation nominated his American Film Insititute Thesis Film, “Tree #3,” for a College Television Award in Comedy.

Haru’s New Year

Year: 2018
Genre: Drama, Short
Country: Canada
Language: Japanese English
Audio: Partial Engish subtitles
Length: 19 min

New year, new country, new school. Haru must adjust to Canada while trying to figure out how to make new friends as she misses the ones she left behind in Japan. When Haru learns about her weird, mysterious classmate Frances who rarely attends school, she becomes curious. Can Haru find hope in this new, unfamiliar country?

Directed by

Alice Shin

Alice Shin is a Korean filmmaker who received her formal film training at Nihon University, Japan. She has worked in Japan, Korea, and the USA as a director, producer, editor, and other supporting roles. Her independent work has screened at numerous international film festivals. Currently, Ms. Shin lives in Canada making independent films.

PICK

Year: 2019
Genre: Drama, Short
Country: Canada
Language: English
Length: 11 min

A young girl wears her afro to school and must deal with the unexpected consequences.

Directed by

Alicia K Harris

Alicia K. Harris is an award-winning filmmaker from Toronto. Her films has been broadcast on CBC, TVO, Bell Fibe TV, and at numerous festivals, including the Festival du nouveau cinéma, and Vancouver International Film Festival. Alicia is the co-founder of Sugar Glass Films, dedicated to creating films about women and marginalized groups.

Iron Hands

Year: 2017
Genre: Drama, Short
Country: China, USA
Language: Chinese
Audio: English subtitles
Length: 11 min

As a 12-year-old girl prepares for her final test trying out for the traditionally all-boys Chinese youth Olympic weightlifting team, she makes an unlikely connection with the gym’s reclusive groundskeeper.

Directed by

Johnson Cheng

Johnson Cheng is an award-winning Chinese American writer-director from the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County. His films have screened at over 100 international film festivals. His narrative short film, Iron Hands, had its world premiere at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival and its Canadian premiere at the 2018 TIFF Kids International Film Festival.