Crazy8s

2024

Gala Screening + Afterparty Program Guide

Online Guide
PDF Guide

2024 Gala Guide

Crazy8s

2024

Gala Screening + Afterparty
April 20, 2024

Gala Screening

The Centre, 777 Homer Street
Doors 6 pm / Show 7pm

Afterparty

Science World
Start 9:30 pm

#crazy8sfilms24

About Crazy8s

Crazy8s is an 8-day filmmaking challenge and a five-month program that provides support and funding to emerging and mid-career transitioning filmmakers to help them produce a professional-quality short film.

The Crazy8s program is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a registered BC not-for-profit society with a core belief in equality, diversity, and community. Crazy8s was created in 1999 by the DGC BC to foster support for emerging filmmakers who have little or no access to funding and resources to make short films. 145 films have been made to date.

Crazy8s 2023 is presented by the DGC BC.

Fast. Fun. Crazy8s!

Visit Crazy8s.film
Welcome to Crazy8s 2024

Grace Chin

  • Executive Director

Still crazy after all these years. As we turn 25, Crazy8s celebrates the 2024 Top 6 filmmakers, the teams, and their films. Collectively these creatives are a reflection and a reminder of the resilience of our shared filmmaking community.

Every year the Top 6 filmmakers and their projects aim a little higher, push a little further—and Crazy8s has grown to meet the challenge, evolving right along with our community and industry into the aspirational program it is today: An opportunity to get real and to level up.

When Cray8s began decades ago, so the legend goes, a few indie-minded filmmakers dared to ask “Why not?” and went for it. A handful of DGC BC members rounded up the usual suspects, and with $800 and 800 feet of film, made short films in 8 short days. They screened, I believe, at the Alibi Room. Stimulating beverages were consumed. The rest is now history.

I attended my first Crazy8s screening sometime in the mid-2000s at the Vogue Theatre downtown. I’d heard about this cool film event, but had otherwise no idea what to expect; I was just beginning my filmmaking journey, and wanted to check out “the scene.” The place was packed. The films were wild. The energy was electric. I was both challenged and inspired at the same time.

At quarterlife, Crazy8s continues its trajectory and ongoing mission to honour that spirit, that challenge, that commitment to storytelling as we explore filmmaking’s frontiers. We’re grateful for the support of our community, and of all our sponsors and partners, without whom none of this is remotely possible.

We can’t wait for you to experience the moving, exciting, and deeply personal perspectives on overcoming challenges at key life moments, from this year’s diverse group of talented filmmakers. Welcome to the Crazy8s 2024 Gala! Keep reaching for the stars. Here’s to the next 25 years for us all.

Greetings
Greetings From DGC BC

Good evening and welcome to the 2024 Crazy8s Gala Screening and After Party! I regret that I am unable to be there with you all in person to see what this year’s Top 6 teams were able to accomplish during eight crazy days of filmmaking.

The Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia (DGC BC) has long been a supporter of the Crazy8s initiative. Through our involvement with Crazy8s, we’ve been able to witness the creation of some truly innovative, and sometimes even award-winning, short films. We feel especially excited about this year’s Crazy8s Gala Screening as it will be the first screening of short films from two of our Members: Teresa Alfeld, writer and director of Toe Pick, and Dave Beamish, writer, director and executive producer of Our Long Goodbye.

We encourage everyone who made this year’s six new short films possible to take a moment tonight to toast their achievements. It may have been a crazy eight days, but you’ve created something wonderful together that deserves to be celebrated.

Congratulations, everyone, and have a great time at the 2024 Crazy8s Gala Screening and After Party!

Matthew Chipera
Chair
Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia

Showcasing and celebrating the works of Canadian creators is at the heart of what we do at Telefilm.
That is why we are proud to partner with Crazy 8s!

In this ever-evolving audiovisual landscape, it is important to have these events to discuss and
collaborate on industry matters, as well as promote stories made and told by Canadians. The diversity of
our storytelling is one that puts Canada in the forefront of a global stage and is what sets us apart.

Thank you Crazy 8s for providing a great platform that allows content creators to gather and connect
with industry professionals. It is the opportunities sparked and developed from these spaces that
contribute to the growth of our talent pool.

Julie Roy
Executive Director and CEO
Telefilm Canada

 Congratulations to Crazy8s on behalf of Creative BC! We are delighted to partner once again as a presenting sponsor of Vancouver’s flagship short film competition, now in its 25th year!

Since its inception, Crazy8s has grown to be recognized as a spirited driver of filmmaker careers, community film culture, and B.C.’s motion picture industry. Creative BC is proud to support the festival’s 25th season and over 100 short films. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire team behind Crazy8s, including the volunteers, partners, creators, audiences, and sponsors, for their invaluable contribution to nurturing the talent of our province’s local storytellers. Through their dedication, they have provided a platform each year for the emergence of fresh creators in B.C.

This initiative is also devoted to creating community and real connections within our motion picture industry. Together, everyone that touches Crazy8s encourages domestic creators—backing them as they push boundaries, tackle rich and relevant subject matter, and prepare to participate in a global marketplace where the demand for content grows exponentially each day.

Each year, as we gather for Crazy8s, we’re revitalized by the profound impact of our local film industry, reigniting our bond with vibrant storytelling and community spirit. Cheers to 25 years!

Prem Gill
Chief Executive Officer, Creative BC

On behalf of the residents of Vancouver and my colleagues on City Council, I am pleased to
extend my warmest greeting to the 2024 Crazy8s Film Gala.

Vancouver continues to strengthen as a true creative powerhouse on the world stage, and the
Crazy8s Film Gala is a valuable contributor to our vibrant arts and cultural community. This
event is a great opportunity for artists and spectators alike to appreciate the diverse range of
film expression, and the fantastic community of emerging filmmakers and artists in Vancouver.
I commend Crazy8s for their funding and supporting of short film production in our city,
especially to those who have limited access to funding opportunities.

Vancouver is proud to the diversity that thrives in our community, and our city is tremendously
enriched by the economic, cultural, and social contributions. As Mayor, I would like to thank all
the film makers, entertainers, organizers, and volunteers who contribute to the success of this
unique and important festival.

Best wishes for a successful and exciting event!

Sincerely,
Mayor Ken Sim

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Gala

Program

PRESHOW: 6:30PM

SHOW STARTS: 7:00PM

Opening Remarks by Host Cardi Wong

Greetings from Special Guests

Behind The Scenes Video

What Are You Supposed To Do With Your Hands?

Our Long Goodbye

DTF?

20-MINUTE INTERMISSION

Crazy8s @ 25

Toe Pick

Gone Abroad

Astronaut

Presenting the Filmmakers of Crazy8s 2024

AFTERPARTY: SCIENCE WORLD

+++++

All films are rated by Consumer Protection BC.

Content Warning: Some of this year’s films contain scenes that are unsuitable for minors, or that some viewers may find disturbing or triggering. Viewer discretion is advised.

Crazy8s Film Society is grateful that we live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.

Gala Host

Cardi Wong

Coming off of his UBCP/ACTRA win for Best Leading Performance in a Feature Film for Golden Delicious, Cardi Wong has finally started to gain some true recognition for his passion, and hard work in this industry. Cardi has over 50 credits in film, tv, and voice-over combined, and he continues to find joy in the smallest crevices of an otherwise heavy, and challenging profession. It’s always onwards, and upwards.

This will also be his first credit in a Crazy8s production as he plays a supporting role in Kevin Ang’s film, Gone Abroad. Cardi is born and raised in Vancouver, so to be able to host an event that celebrates all this city has to offer is such an immense pleasure and honour. Bring your tissues because he’s going to make you laugh, cry, AND sneeze when he does his “surprise pepper sewn into the seat” bit. (Last part pending, probably won’t make the final cut).

Crazy8s Afterparty
Following the Gala Screening, it’s your time to shine! Head over to our “Reach For The Stars”-themed Gala Afterparty at Science World – Vancouver’s largest single-evening film and television industry party. Walk the “blue carpet,” partake in specialty cocktails or your choice of beverages from Lavish Liquid and dessert from Catch 122, enjoy the 360 and green screen photo booths, and hit our dance floors spun by top notch DJs. Triple O’s will be open, offering their full menu. Come on down to the party and celebrate with us! Grab the party bus sponsored by On Set Headsets from right outside The Centre. Buses run in a loop from The Centre to Science World and back again, approximately every 15 minutes for about an hour after the screening concludes.
Behind the Six
“How’d you make that in 8 days?” We get a revealing look at the crazy experience of what goes into making a short film in just 8 days, through production and post production, following our six directors as they bring their short films to life through the Crazy8s program—together with their hard working teams, and alongside industry professional crew and mentors. From the inspirations to the challenges, we take a revealing look Behind The Six to see how it all came together and onto the big screen.

Director/Videographer / Brian Cheung

Director of Photography / Brian Cheung

Executive Producer / Grace Chin

Post Production Manager / Julia Niendorf

Editor / Cindy Au-Yeung

Assistant Editor / Jeff Li

Sound Mixer / Dave Chick / Hatched Productions

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Message from the Crazy8s 2024 Board

The Crazy 8s board welcomes you to the twenty-fifth year of our incredible screening and party! Our Silver milestone shines brightly, much like that noble metal, fueled by the creative work of these six talented teams. The board expresses heartfelt gratitude for the tireless efforts of the Crazy8s Staff, Executive Director, volunteers, and the entire Vancouver film community, who consistently provide critical support for this event. Crazy8s thrives on grit and determination, driven by individuals who deeply care about the magical world of film and its ability to bring communities together.

Of course, we must acknowledge our indefatigable sponsors. Despite the challenges of the past couple of years, we can always rely on many of the same supporters year after year. Without your financial and in-kind support, we could not serve the community as effectively as we do.

Crazy8s began as a small, invite-only filmmaker event hosted at a Railtown restaurant, where all shorts were shot on film. It was a creative seed that quickly grew, and now, 25 years later, Crazy8s educates filmmakers, distributes shorts, fosters community, and remains a must-attend screening and party. We take immense pride in how Crazy8s has nurtured the film careers of many in British Columbia and hope it continues to play a vital role in the larger independent film landscape.

Here’s to twenty-five more years! Have a wonderful evening and enjoy the films.

Board of Directors

Marc Stephenson

  • President

Amanda Tapping

  • Vice President

Leah Mallen

  • Treasurer

Allan Harmon

  • Member-At-Large

Dylan Akio Smith

  • Member-At-Large

Ines Eisses

  • Member-At-Large

Jayme Pfahl

  • Member-At-Large

Jem Garrard

  • Member-At-Large

Sabrina Furminger

  • Member-At-Large

Tyson Hepburn

  • Member-At-Large
2024 Crazy8s Team

Staff

Program + Administration

Brian Cheung

  • EPK Videographer

Grace Chin

  • Executive Director

Akiko Cheng

  • Program Manager

Karen Cowl

  • Graphic Designer

Karen Leung

  • Web Manager

Karen Wong

  • Accountant

Nicola Pender

  • Publicist

Matthew Broughton

  • Registration & Submissions Coordinator

Nancy Kamar

  • Sponsorship Coordinator

Jeanne Chen

  • Communications Coordinator

Brian Cheung

  • EPK Director

Mentors & Interns

DIRECTOR MENTOR(S) / Aubrey Arnason, Jem Garrard, Allan Harmon, Karen Lam, Mina Shum, Jonathan Tammuz
PRODUCER MENTOR(S) / Aaron Au, Ingo Lou, Raymond Massey, Phil Planta, Paul Telner, Amanda Verhagen
LEAD DIRECTOR MENTOR(S) / Allan Harmon
CINEMATOGRAPHER MENTOR(S) / Danny Nowak
STILLS MENTOR(S) / Bettina Strauss, Carole Appleby
PRODUCTION DESIGN MENTOR(S) / Siobhan O’Keefe
EDITOR MENTOR(S) / Daniel Krieger
INTERN(S) / Donald Belliveau, Tristan Hinder-Hohlweg

Juries + Story Editors

Video Pitch Jury

For Top 40 Quarter-Finalists

Edward Douglas

Director & VFX Supervisor for Film & Video Games
Website

Helen Liu

Writer/Director, Script Supervisor
Website

Lecily Corbett

Entertainment Industry Career Coach, Courage & Flow Coaching
Website

Sidartha Murjani

Screenwriter/Director, Programmer
Website

Live Pitch Jury

For Top 12 Semi-Finalists + Top 6 Finalists

Elad Tzadok

Producer, Director, Editor
Website

Jayme Pfahl

Producer / Senior Instructor, Vancouver Film School
Website

Kay Shioma Metchie

Producer/Writer/Actor
Website

Laura Arboleda

Filmmaker and Programmer
Website

Robin Macabulos

Program Analyst, Creative BC
Website

Story Editors

For Top 12 Semi-Finalists

Allie Devereaux

Writer
Website

Cailey Cavallin

Writer, Producer, Development Executive at Lark Productions
Website

Carolyn Woolner

Screenwriter, Story Editor, Program Manager at VFS
Website

David Geary

Instructor-Kaiako, Creative Writer, Story & Script Consultant, Dramaturg, Director, Producer, Lab Supervisor
Website

Karen Lam

Director, Writer, Producer, Filmmaker
Website

Kat Montagu

Head of Department for Writing Film, TV & Games at VFS, Screenwriter
Website

Michele McMahon

Writer, Adjunct Professor at UBC Creative Writing
Website

Ryan Atimoyoo

Writer, Filmmaker, Story Editor
Website

Sara B. Cooper

Producer, Screenwriter
Website

Sara Graefe

Screenwriter, Lecturer at UBC Creative Writing
Website

Shakil Jessa

Screenwriter, Director, Producer
Website

Tihemme Gagnon

Screenwriter, Story editor, Writing & Production instructor at VFS
Website
Films

Astronaut

2024
 / Dramatic Whimsy
 / 12 mins
Amidst a backdrop of 1990s Chinese-Canadian immigration, a young boy is visited by his absent father who builds him a cardboard spaceship and launches him on a fantastical mission to connect with the neighbourhood kids.

Amidst a backdrop of 1990s Chinese-Canadian immigration, a young boy is visited by his absent father who builds him a spaceship out of cardboard and launches him on a fantastical mission to connect with the neighbourhood kids.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Kevin Cheng
WRITER(S) / Stephanie Joan
STORY BY / Kevin Cheng
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER(S) / Bobby Tiet, Campbell Hunter, Charlie Gudgeon, Tavish Gudgeon
PRODUCER(S) / Luke Vandenberg, Stephanie Joan
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Valeriya Khan
EDITOR(S) / Evelyn Starks
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Amina Luthi
FEATURING / Tobi Wong, Victor Young, XioaQing Ye
Back to Film List

DTF?

2024
 / Coming-of-Age Comedy
 / 16 mins
During an anonymous sexual bender, a young queer writer is forced to confront his insecurities when he ends up on a date with his former English professor.

Young queer writer, Jonah, is forced to confront his insecurities when he ends up on a date with his former English professor. Through a heated night of laughter, emotion, and vulnerability, the two unpack what it means to be a gay man in search for a real connection.

  • Content Warning: Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Jess McLeod
WRITER(S) / Sam Krochmal, Jess McLeod
STORY BY / Sam Krochmal
LEAD PRODUCER(S) / Erin Purghart
PRODUCER(S) / Hana Huggins, Jess McLeod, Sam Krochmal
CO-PRODUCER(S) / Garfield Wilson
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Saarthak Taneja
EDITOR(S) / Hayley Sawatzky
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Agnes Asplund
FEATURING / Sam Krochmal, Garfield Wilson
Back to Film List

Gone Abroad

2024
 / Drama
 / 18 mins
After a conservative Chinese-Catholic school covers up the suicide of Kevin's best friend, he and his friends make a plan to uncover the truth.

Kevin, a shy 15-year-old at a conservative Chinese-Catholic school, is devastated when he is informed his best friend has unexpectedly “gone abroad” for studies. Determined to uncover what really happened, Kevin and his friends hatch a plan to find the truth.

  • Trigger Warning: This film contains material of a highly sensitive nature including suicide that may be triggering for some individuals.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Kevin Ang
WRITER(S) / Kevin Ang
PRODUCER(S) / Moheb Jindran
CO-PRODUCER(S) / Allen Xu, Aiden Marsden, Carlo Fortin, Frances Leigh
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER(S) / Mikhaela Torio
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Marc Yungco
EDITOR(S) / Jeremy Chen
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Chloe Bohonos
FEATURING / Max Archibald, Cardi Wong, Ricky Chi Kay Lee
Back to Film List

Our Long Goodbye

2024
 / Drama
 / 17 mins
Caregiver by day and musician by night, Mark brings his elderly father's dementia-addled mind back every evening with his songs...until he can't.

Mark juggles his dual roles as a semi-pro musician & caregiver for his father Charles battling late-stage Alzheimer’s. Each gig he plays, Mark awakens Charles’ memories with his old songs, reconnecting them through their love for music & each other.

  • Trigger Warnings: Themes of loss, grief, caregiver burnout, and depictions of death and advanced dementia.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Dave Beamish
WRITER(S) / Dave Beamish
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER(S) / Dave Beamish
PRODUCER(S) / Erin Morgan, Christina McInulty, Sarah Alma Angelle
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Andy Brown
EDITOR(S) / Emily Clulow
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Stafford Matthews
MUSIC/SOUND / Dave Chick
COSTUME DESIGNER(S) / Ruby Morgan
Back to Film List

Toe Pick

2024
 / Comedy-Drama
 / 11 mins
A struggling teenage figure skater pushes back against the constraints of her sport in 1990s Vancouver.

It’s 1999, and everything is going wrong for 12-year-old figure skater Chelsea. After a serious accident at morning practice, Chelsea finds a way to skate on her own terms.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Teresa Alfeld
WRITER(S) / Teresa Alfeld
PRODUCER(S) / Kiefer Doerksen, Melissa James, Thea Loo, Taylor Johansson, Natalie Murao
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Jay Kamal
EDITOR(S) / Kiefer Doerksen
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Kallista Dittrick-Katevatis
CHOREOGRAPHER(S) / Jeremy Ten
FEATURING / Nylee Phinney, Gigi Neil, Robert Egger, Valencia Budijanto
Back to Film List

What Are You Supposed To Do With Your Hands?

2024
 / Fantasy Comedy
 / 13 mins
Kendra struggles to fit in at a noisy party, much to the chagrin of her guardian angel, a sharp-beaked and sharp-witted harpy, who really wants her to stop staring at her shoes. Inspired by classic 80's puppet films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, What Are You Supposed to Do With Your Hands? explores the unique experience of living as a late-diagnosed autistic woman.

Kendra struggles to fit in at a noisy party, much to the chagrin of her guardian angel, a sharp-beaked and sharp-witted harpy, who really wants her to stop staring at her shoes. Inspired by classic 80’s puppet films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, What Are You Supposed to Do With Your Hands? explores the unique experience of living as a late-diagnosed autistic woman.

  • Content Warning: This film portrays the lived experience of a person in a state of autistic overwhelm. It contains bright and flashing lights, complex/loud sounds, forced feeding, internalized ableism and ableist language.

Crew & Cast

DIRECTOR(S) / Larissa Thompson
WRITER(S) / Larissa Thompson
PRODUCER(S) / Amanda D’Silva
CO-PRODUCER(S) / Larissa Thompson
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER(S) / Marco Bossow, Jamie Sambell, Ana Nunes
DIRECTOR(S) OF PHOTOGRAPHY / Marco Bossow
EDITOR(S) / W. Cody Nelson
PRODUCTION DESIGNER(S) / Madison Stenner
FEATURING / Megan Toner, Larissa Thompson, Princess Davis
Back to Film List
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Telefilm Talent To Watch

Four years ago Crazy8s Film Society was proud to be included as a Designated Industry Partner organization for Telefilm’s Talent to Watch program which funds feature films. Each year since, Crazy8s alumni directors apply to us for a recommendation letter towards this program. We are thrilled that one of these projects was successful in its application and has recently wrapped production – THE CHINATOWN DINER, directed by Lawrence Le Lam (CYPHER, 2017), written by Lawrence and Alex Love Kink (MR. JAMES IS DEAD, 2020). The film is produced by Thomas Affolter (THE UNDERTAKER’S SON, 2017) and Lynne Lee. The executive producers are Paul Armstrong (Crazy8s, Lawrence & Holloman), Erin Mussolum (Crazy8s, Bye-Bye), Liz Levine (Two Sentence Horror Stories, Hudson & Rex). and Charles Chang. The production manager was Dominique Roy (I CAN’T GO ON, 2023).

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Sponsor Support for Crazy8s

As a not-for-profit organization, Crazy8s Film Society is thankful to be supported by almost 100 sponsors, including cash, in-kind, media, and community partners. The Crazy8s program would not exist without the generous support of such a broad spectrum of the British Columbia film industry in the Lower Mainland, as a further opportunity to showcase what our shared filmmaking community and industry can do when it comes together to create great films.

The cash sponsors allow Crazy8s Film Society to operate as a not-for-profit on a modest budget, and to help finance the filmmakers projects, contributing toward the $12,000 total cash that goes to the teams to help finance their Crazy8s films.

We estimate that the in-kind value is approximately $75,000 per team for a total of $450,000 in support. This includes: Production insurance, legal opinions (including title, script and music), casting direction, production gear and equipment (including cameras, grip, lighting and sound), locations support, special effects, props and set dressing, radios, and the full gamut of post production finishing services (including editing, sound, VFX, online, colour correction, and more).

Added to this are other forms of in-kind support and donations toward the individual film projects each year; the production of our Behind The Scenes video and promo videos; as well as workshops, mentorships, media coverage, and cross-promotion, bringing the total to over half a million dollars a year in in-kind sponsorship and partnership support.

Crazy8s, and each year’s cohort of filmmakers, are grateful to all the sponsors that support the organization, the program, and the film projects. For the full list of our many sponsors, click here →

Thank You to All Our Sponsors

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