In support of Asian Heritage Month, Reel Asian invited 3 filmmakers to tour schools across the GTA to speak about careers in the film/media industry.
Reel Asian is a registered non-profit and a charitable and cultural organization. Our vision is to champion the future of diverse storytelling in Canada by advocating Asian representation in the media arts. Every year, Reel Asian supports over 2,000 youths in the GTA by providing access to Asian cinema from around the world and increasing their media literacy.
This year, Reel Asian visited 6 schools in the GTA:
- High Park Alternative School
- Alexander Mackenzie High School
- Thornlea Secondary School
- School of Life Experience
- John Polanyi Collegiate Institute
- Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School
Reel Asian programs youth initiatives year round. Consider donating to the Generasian Now youth initiative in support of providing free youth programs year-round.
THE 2018 AHM SCHOOL TOURS
Carol Nguyen speaking at Thornlea Secondary School
Unsung Voices Filmmaker Prajjwal Rajawat speaking to students at High Park Alternative School
MonstrARTity hosting a film workshop at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
Visual Artist/Photographer May Truong with students
View the full photo gallery here.
“[The presenter] didn’t sugarcoat anything, was very honest and gave ties/insights on working and university.”
– Student, Grade 11
“[I liked the presentation] how real & open the presenter was about life, with added humour.”
– Student, Grade 11
“Hearing May’s personal story, which was AMAZING, and hearing her talk about the themes of her work. As always, I was impressed by the quality of the filmmaker and her presentation. The AHM School Tour brings diverse voices and stories to my students and is always a highlight of our year!“
– Rachel Rosen, Photography and Film Teacher.
“Carol’s presentation was very informative, inspiring and thought-provoking. I’ve got a lot of positive comments from my students because they found it very relatable and engaging. [My students and I enjoyed] when Carol was sharing her ideas and personal experiences and giving tips on pursuing film-making career. Thank you for returning to Thornlea SS. We are looking forward to having you again next year.”
– Ilana Bern, Visual and Media Arts teacher.
THE FILMMAKERS:
PRAJJWAL RAJAWAT
https://prajjwalrajawat.com/
Director/Writer/Photographer
Prajjwal Rajawat is a Toronto based filmmaker and photographer. His directorial debut, BollySingh, had its world premiere at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival and is currently in the festival circuit. He has worked on various types of media-related projects, from corporate videos, to short films and music videos.
CAROL NGUYEN
https://carolnguyenfilms.com/
Director / Writer/ Editor/ Cinematographer / Producer
Carol Nguyen is an award winning 19-year-old filmmaker based in Toronto. Carol’s films often explore the subjects of cultural identity and family, topics which heavily define her understanding of the world. Carol has directed 8 short films and has screened them in over 80 festivals around the globe. Carol is a three time TIFF Jumpcuts winner and a two time Grand Prize High School Winner at Heartland Film Festival. In 2017, she was named an ambassador for TIFF’s Share Her Journey campaign, where she strived to empower diverse voices and women through her own stories and personal experiences in the film industry. Most recently, she was selected as a 2018 Sundance Ignite Fellow. Today, Carol is continuing her passion for filmmaking at Concordia University in Montreal
MAY TRUONG
http://www.maytruong.com/
Photographer / Video Artist
May Truong is a photographer and video artist based in Toronto, ON. In her work she explores the themes of race, gender, and belonging. She has been exhibited in group shows in Canada. She was born on a sinking ship in the middle of the South China Sea. She was almost thrown overboard, but was saved by her father – a kung fu fighter turned ballroom dancer.