The 2024 Mulan International Film Festival Brings Chinese-Language Cinemas To Town

Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial team
Images Courtesy of Mulan INternational Film Festival

August 9th – 17th | Toronto, Canada

The 2024 Mulan International Film Festival is delivering a captivating array of classic and contemporary Chinese-language cinema to Toronto. Now in its fifth edition, the festival, founded by University of Toronto alumni, continues to highlight emerging filmmakers and showcase a diverse range of films. Spanning across eras, regions, and languages, this festival serves as a crucial platform to engage with pan-Chinese cinema. Over nine days, 39 films will be presented at Innis Town Hall on the U of T St. George campus, accompanied by additional industry sessions.

Scroll below to explore the directors and featured films of this year’s festival!

Chan is Fishing

Fountainhead

The Fountainhead programme shines a spotlight on emerging filmmakers, celebrating their unique voices and creative originality. Two Audience Awards and two jury-selected awards will be presented for competing short films and feature films, recognizing the exceptional talent and diverse perspectives of these directors. Each filmmaker brings a rich tapestry of cultural and educational backgrounds, delivering fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling rooted in Chinese and Asian cultures.

May the Lord Protect Us

• Shorts Screening: August 14 (Wed), 7:30 PM

• Features Screening: Between August 10-13

Directors:

Short Films: JIANG Geng, Ocean CHIN, Jacqueline CHAN, LAI Yuqing, YU Chih-Chieh, LIN Yihan, XU Peiyao and ZHONG Hongshi

Feature Films: WANG Ping-Wen/PENG Tzu-Hui, Nicole Chi Amén, Nelson YEO, LIU Taifeng and CHOY Ji

Borrowed Time

Redacted

Lili vs. Leviathan

Elegies

The Lili vs. Leviathan programme highlights the contributions of female filmmakers and actresses while celebrating the strength and identity of female protagonists. The selection of film extend from past to latest works through the angles of female filmmakers, including The Arch (1970), This Woman (2022), and Elegies (2023). This programme also includes four additional short films, each contributing to the exploration of female empowerment and identity.

• Shorts Screening: August 10 (Sat), 12:00 PM

• Features Screening: August 10, August 15

Directors:

Short Films: ZHANG Chenxi, ZHANG Xiao, WANG Yu, SONG Jinsui

Feature Films: Cecile TANG Shu Shuen, Ann HUI, Alan ZHANG

THis Woman

YIN AND YANG

Who’ll Stop the Rain

The Yin and Yang programme is a powerful exploration of social issues related to gender inequality, identity, expression, and sexual orientation, all aimed at promoting equality and solidarity. This year's highlights include the North American Premiere of Su I-Hsuan’s Who’ll Stop the Rain （《青春並不溫柔》）, Ray Yeung’s All Shall Be Well （《從今以後》）, and the Canadian Premiere of Han Shuai’s Green Night （《綠夜》）. Co-presented with the Gal Pal Society and Inside Out Film Festival, these impactful features are joined by five additional short films.

• Shorts Screening: August 10 (Sat), 12:00 PM

• Features Screening: August 10, August 15

Directors:

Short Films: PAN Luo-Bing, CHEN Shuyao, BOO Junfeng, Emory CHAO JOHNSON, Arielle Frances Bagood

Feature Films: SU I-Hsuan, Ray YEUNG, HAN Shuai, GENG Zihan

Green Night

All shall Be Well

Retrospective

Focusing on the influential Eileen Chang, a cornerstone of modern Chinese literature, this programme presents eight films written by, partially written by, or adapted from her works. Highlights include the North American Premiere of Ann Hui’s Eighteen Springs（《半生緣》） in 4K Restoration, Stanley Kwan’s Red Rose White Rose（《紅玫瑰白玫瑰》） in 35mm film, and Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s Flowers of Shanghai（《海上花》） in 4K Restoration, exploring Chang’s literary legacy through cinema.

The Joys and Sorrows of the Middle Age (Miserable at Middle Age)

Features:

Eighteen Springs by Ann HUI, Lust, Caution by Ang LEE, Long Live the Missis, Evermore Sorrow (Unending Love), The Joys and Sorrows of the Middle Age (Miserable at Middle Age) by SANG Hu, Flowers of Shanghai by HOU Hsiao-Hsien, Red Rose White Rose by Stanley Kwan, and Rouge of the North by Fred TAN.

Red Rose White Rose

CLOSING FILM

The festival will conclude on August 17 with the Canadian Premiere of Carefree Days (《逍遙•游》), directed by Liang Ming. This film, which earned Liang Ming the Best Director award and Lyu Xingchen the Best Actress award at the 48th Hong Kong International Film Festival's Young Cinema Competition, delves into a powerful story of personal and emotional upheaval.

Carefree Days

In addition to the screenings, MulanIFF 2024 will feature "In Depth With" Industry Sessions from August 12 to 15, offering filmmakers, industry professionals, critics, students, and cinephiles an exceptional opportunity to delve into the complexities of film production. Notable guest speakers will share valuable insights through in-person discussions and Q&A sessions. The festival has also launched its inaugural Debut Narrative Feature Development Lab, designed to support five promising projects by emerging Chinese directors with one-on-one consultations from experienced filmmakers, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

We are hosting a giveaway on Instagram, and one lucky winner will have the chance to won a pair of tickets to the festival!

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