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The 27th Toronto Reel International Film Festival was a bona fide success in November 2023, building on the foundations created by the previous editions. Toronto has always had a compelling film culture, particularly for Asian cinema. The area has traditionally been a hotspot for migrants from across Asia, creating a fertile atmosphere for film enthusiasts, creators, actors, and more.

The 28th Toronto Reel International Film Festival has been confirmed and will take place between November 13–24 2024, sparking new excitement within the city’s film-loving community. Before the attention turns to the 28th edition, let’s look back to last year’s 27th edition. We’ll pick out the essential moments, standout films, key players behind the scenes, and more.

When was the 27th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival?

First things first, a recap on when the 27th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival took place. The occasion traditionally occurs in November,...

“Starring Jerry as Himself” is a truly amazing movie experience that breaks the rules of traditional storytelling. This groundbreaking movie tells the story of Jerry Hsu, a Taiwanese-American immigrant in his 70s, in a way that blurs the lines between factual and dramatic reconstruction.

The movie takes place in Orlando, Florida. It is about Jerry’s unexpected participation in what initially seems to be a high-stakes international investigation. When he gets a strange phone call from people saying they are Chinese police, Jerry gets caught up in a complicated situation that makes watchers question what they think they know about reality.

The documentary-fiction mix lasts about 70 minutes and creates a unique watching experience. It opens in some theaters on November 6 and is available on VOD by November 8. Law Chen, the director, tells a story that makes you think. It’s also a cautionary tale, a personal study, and a meta-commentary on storytelling itself.

Directed by Lawrence Chen, “Starring Jerry as Himself” is a hybrid documentary that mostly shows a fictionalized version of a true-life narrative. It revolves around Jerry S Hsu, a Chinese-American immigrant in his late sixties, living his twilight years in Orlando, Florida. Recently divorced, he lives a bachelor’s life all by himself. Like any parent who immigrated to a Western land, he entered this country to provide better lives for his children. Throughout his life, he had been frugal to a fault. He spent on his bare necessities without indulging in anything. This is a particularly Asian-father trait, whether you’re from Southern nations or the Eastern ones.

After leading his life for his family’s happiness, Jerry is now a retired man. Still, he is open to helping his children with their needs. Even during their family reunion, he is a kind presence in their lives. However, underneath his calm and composed exterior,...

Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired rights to the narrative-doc hybrid Starring Jerry As Himself, which won both the Audience and Jury Award at Slamdance 2023, from Visit Films, slating it for release in select theaters and on home entertainment platforms beginning in late summer.

Pic chronicles the fantastical misadventures of Jerry Hsu, an ordinary Taiwanese immigrant retired in Orlando, who becomes a spy in an international money laundering investigation. After months of keeping his mission secret, Jerry finally reveals everything to his family. This prompts Jerry’s actual son and producer of the film, Jonathan Hsu, to dramatize his father’s ordeal in order to discover the truth about what really happened and how it changed Jerry’s life forever.

As he set out to bring the film to life, Jonathan brought aboard Law Chen, an award-winning helmer of commercials and documentary shorts, as director. Chen also went on to produce...

Law is an award winning director based in Brooklyn. His narrative, documentary, and commercial films have earned 19 Cannes Lions, as well as multiple Webby Awards, Vimeo Staff Picks. His first feature ‘Starring Jerry as Himself' premiered at Slamdance, winning the Grand Jury, Audience, and Best Actor Awards, and tells a deeply personal story about an immigrant's pursuit of the American Dream.

On the occasion of “Starring Jerry as Himself' screening at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, we speak with him about the amazing story presented in the movie, Jerry and his ex-wife Cathy, about truth being stranger than fiction, and other topics.

Usually I don't not like dramatization in documentaries, but you really made it work and it seems organic. Why did you choose to make it like that? And how did you manage to make it so organic?

Thank you so much. “Starring Jerry as Himself” is a kind...

The Slamdance Film Festival has announced the winners of their 2023 Jury and Audience Awards. In the Narrative Feature category, “Waiting for the Light to Change” took the top honor, while “Starring Jerry as Himself” pulled double duty as the winner of both Narrative and Jury prizes in the documentary category. The film’s own Jerry Hsu was awarded the festival’s Outstanding Acting Award.

Other Jury prizewinners include “The Underbug” for Breakouts Feature, “Palookaville” for Episodes, and “Millstone” in the Unstoppable program.

“Honeycomb” won the Audience Award for Episodes, and “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam” took home the prize for the Unstoppable competition.

This year’s Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, was awarded to Tij D’Oyen. His short film “Lollygag” was featured as part of the Narrative Shorts competition.

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Slamdance Film Festival has revealed the winners of its annual Sparky Awards, with “Waiting for the Light to Change” and “Where the Road Leads” taking home the narrative feature grand jury prize and audience award, respectively.

Directed by Linh Tran, narrative feature grand jury prize winner “Waiting for the Light to Change” is an “exceptional act of patience, restraint, courage and authenticity,” according to the jury. “Filmmaker Linh Tran paints a remarkably honest portrait of vulnerability that breaks open the heart of its audience, demanding sincerity and drawing deep reflection of the fractured nature of ourselves and the complex, human spaces between each of us.”

The Agbo Fellowship, which includes a 25,000 scholarship and mentorship from Slamdance alumni Joe and Anthony Russo, was awarded to Tij D’Oyen. He presented his narrative short film, “Lollygag,” during the festival.

“Tij expertly crafted a bold and original cinematic piece, showcasing himself as a unique...

Festival ran in Park City, Salt Lake City from January 20-29.

Linh Tran’s Waiting For The Light To Change and Law Chen’s Starring Jerry As Himself have won the 2023 Slamdance grand jury narrative and documentary awards this week.

The 2023 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Peter Hoffman Kimball’s, while the Breakouts Feature Grand Jury Prize went to Shujaat Saudagar’s The Underbug (India), and the 2023 Episodes Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Theodore Collatos’s Palookaville.

The Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, went to Tij D’Oyen at the January 26 ceremony.