Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 Wrap Up

It was another amazing year at the ... , although it mystifies me even when I make it out to many of the screenings I often miss the awards winners such as Agrarian Utopia. But, I still got out to screenings every day and was impressed at the amazing content and qualities of the films. From Filipino vampires in Yanggaw to identity explorations in Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, the festival had a wide variety of genres and experiences to choose from.

Best Features: Fruit Fly, Yang Yang, Fish Story

Best Performances: Sandrine Pinna in Yang Yang, Yang Ik-June in Breathless

Best Short / Experimental
Both of these were short and unique so it's a two-way tie: Live Long and Prosper and White Boy From the East

Best Q&A's: Q&A with Breathless writer/director/actor Yang Ik-June

Best Experience: Red Heroine, because you can't beat seeing a 1929 film with live accompaniment

Fullest Screenings: Overheard, Red Heroine, Breathless

Repeating themes: Identity and family were both prominent but this year there was a huge range of topics explored

Funnest collective experience: Red Heroine and Awards Ceremony

Wish I hadn't missed: Agrarian Utopia, A Sense of Wonder (Asian Canadian Shorts Program) and When the Full Moon Rises

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2009 ran from November 11-15, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.