A roundtable discussion with Dr. Arisa Ema, Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo.

Dr. Ema will talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and the social issues it underpins in Japan, drawing from her extensive academic and policy work.

Following her presentation, a discussion with Canadian experts will be facilitated to explore opportunities for closer co-operation between Canada and Japan on AI.

The Asia Pacific Youth Council invites you to 'Love in Translation,' a Floor 9 Salon Series event featuring a screening of It Runs in the Family, a film by award-winning director Joella Cabalu.

About the film

A gay Filipino-Canadian artist, Jay Cabalu, along with his sister Joella, travels from Vancouver, Canada to the U.S. and the Philippines to meet their other queer relatives to see how they have reconciled their religiosity, sexuality, and family relationships.

As the audience, we are invited into Jay's art studio to look on as he creates a new collage art piece and reflects back on his journey and its impact on his struggles.

It Runs in the Family is an intimate exploration of acceptance and what the modern queer family can be like in the Filipino diaspora. Click the movie still below to view the trailer.

About the director

Since then, Joella has developed a track record as a creative and collaborative producer working with emerging women directors on compelling short documentaries, including FIXED! (2017), Do I Have Boobs Now? (2017), and Biker Bob's Posthumous Adventure (2019). She is currently producing her first feature documentary, Back Home, with support from the Telefilm Talent to Watch fund.

Join us on Monday, January 27th for a special film screening and discussion on family, identity, and Asian-Canadian heritage with touching works from local, rising film directors. Through the lens of three young filmmakers, this Floor 9 Salon Series presentation will explore the complexity of identity, the wrestling between two cultures and the resulting shared experience of filial reconciliation.

You will be introduced to the work of each filmmaker through a short pre-screening presentation, and each film will be followed by a discussion and a Q&A session. 

Refreshments will be served!

Featured Short Films:

Breakaway

Directed by Jenny Lee-Gilmore: Set in 1970s Vancouver, Canada, Breakaway follows 11-year-old Sammy, an ice hockey-obsessed Chinese-Canadian girl. She has dreams of one day playing ice hockey but her responsibilities at home and bullying older brother get in the way.

Kueh

Directed by Ian Tan & Shiun Okada: Kueh tells the story of Jin, a Malaysian-Canadian high-schooler. A past family tragedy is brought up when Jin asks to borrow the family car, which creates a rift in his relationship with his father.

Thicker Than Water

Directed by Joshua Lam: Spurred into reconciling the rift between them through their father’s last written words, siblings Justin and Katie explore their inconsistent memories over a long lost photo journal.