Event Details

Incorporated federally in 2018, the Mulan International Film Festival (MIFF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the best of Chinese-language films and pan-Chinese cinemas. MIFF aims to facilitate appreciation of Chinese cinema across Canadian communities and to inspire audiences to discuss contemporary conflicts, challenges, and opportunities from a global perspective.

This application is for the “Mulan International Film Festival 2024”, taking place over nine days from August 9 to 18, 2024, in downtown Toronto (Innis Town Hall), Markham (tbc), and Scarborough (Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto). The Festival will feature over 35 films with a focus on emerging filmmakers and with specific programs for LGBTQI+ and female filmmakers.

Programming will include:

(1) Opening reception and opening film will take place at Innis Town Hall on August 9;

(2) 35 films will be screened in person, with over half anticipated to be Canadian premieres, and at least two world premieres. Programming categories include: ‘Fountainhead (emerging filmmakers); ‘Lili vs Leviathan (films by female filmmakers); ‘Yin and Yang’ (films that reflect on social issues related to gender inequality, identity, expression, and sexual orientation); ‘China Retrospective (films that capture how ideas and beliefs have formed and evolved over time and reveal the zeitgeist and enormous changes in China and Chinese society since the early 20th century);

(3) Talks and Discussions: Following most screenings, there will be panel talks conducted by filmmakers, industry experts, and academic professionals;

(4) Development Lab and Master Classes: industry professionals to give master classes that open to all film study students in North America;

(5) Special Presentation dedicated to female director Ann Hui, showing her work and incredible characteristics and influence among Chinese filmmakers and female filmmakers; and

(6) Closing film and ceremony and film will take place on August 18 at Innis Town Hall, including Jury’s Awards and Audience Awards.