The 27th Reel Asian Film Festival Luncheon@The Shangri-La-Wed.,May 31, 2023

By Sally Warburton & Photography By Alex Lam

Fire Horse Award Presentation Luncheon and Red Carpet at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

The Reel Asian International Film Festival will take place November 8 – 19, 2023 in Toronto, Canada

Today was a celebratory event to present the 2023 Fire Horse Award. The return of the Fire Horse Award. This award celebrates an Asian Canadian individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the film and media-arts community. This year’s recipient, filmmaker Mary Stephen, will be awarded $25,000 in cash, of which film and television star Sandra Oh has committed $10,000 per year to the prize for the next five years.

The Fire Horse Award recognizes one Asian Canadian member of the film and media-arts community.This member is someone who demonstrates qualities of the Asian zodiac symbol in their work: Why is it called the Fire Horse Award? Because Fire Horses are changemakers, creative thinkers and visionary leaders who significantly impact the larger community. The qualities needed to win this award.

Held at the luxurious Shangri-la Hotel on University Avenue in Toronto, It was a high-energy event with guests mingling and sipping on champagne before the luncheon. Deanna Wong – Executive Director, The Reel Asian International Film Festival greeted VIP Guests on the Red Carpet for photos. VIP Guests included Anita Lee – Chief Programming Officer, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Andrew Phung – Actor, Run the Burbs & Kim’s Convenience (CBC), Ann Pornel – Television Host, The Great Canadian Baking Show (CBC), Mary Walsh – Actor, This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC), Romeo Candido – Director, Topline (CBC), Maxine Bailey – Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre, Karen Cho – Filmmaker, Big Fight in Little Chinatown (2023 Hot Docs) and Olivia Chow who is one of the politicians running to be Mayor of Toronto.

Lunch looked delicious in a lovely dining room and guests enjoyed the beautiful sunshine flowing through the windows as they connected with Reel Asian Film Festival colleagues and friends.