Toronto is about to get a vibrant new addition to its summer cultural calendar. From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the Pride Asian Film Festival (PAFF) will launch its inaugural edition at Cineplex Cinemas Empress Walk, marking a bold new space for East Asian cinema and queer storytelling in the heart of the city. As an official affiliate of Toronto Pride, PAFF is more than a film festival—it’s a cultural movement with a mission.
A Festival Rooted in Representation and Inclusion
Founded as a non-profit organization, PAFF aims to spotlight the complexity and richness of the Asian diaspora while championing underrepresented voices—particularly those of women, gender-diverse creators, and LGBTQ2S+ communities. At its core, the festival is guided by four core values:
- Diversity & Inclusion: Celebrating the layered identities of the Asian diaspora.
- Gender Equity: Uplifting the work of female and gender-diverse filmmakers.
- LGBTQ2S+ Representation: Centering queer Asian narratives.
- Community Engagement: Fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection through cinema.
2025 Festival Highlights
Opening Night – May 29
Blossom Under Somewhere (Canadian Premiere)
A striking debut from Hong Kong director Riley Yip, this coming-of-age drama follows a stuttering high school girl leading a double life—including selling her used underwear online. Tackling themes like fetishism, shame, and empowerment, the film is produced by acclaimed filmmaker Fruit Chan and has earned a nomination for Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
May 30
Yen and Ai-Lee (Canadian Premiere)
From Taiwanese director Lin Shu-Yu comes a moving tale of trauma, secrecy, and the bonds between mothers and daughters. Starring Summer Meng, this film dives deep into the emotional echo chamber of love and inherited pain.
️ May 31 (Matinee)
Shunga: The Lost Japanese Erotica (Canadian Premiere)
This beautifully crafted documentary explores the sensual world of Edo-period shunga art. With a mix of humor, artistry, and cultural insight, the film reclaims sexuality as a source of joy, freedom, and creativity.
️ May 31 (Evening)
The Handmaiden – Extended Version (Canadian Premiere)
Park Chan-wook’s critically acclaimed masterpiece returns to the big screen in its full, uncut glory. Set in 1930s colonial Korea, this gripping tale of manipulation and forbidden love is a cornerstone of queer feminist cinema.
Closing Night – June 1
Queerpanorama (Canadian Premiere)
The latest film from director Jun Li is a poetic, black-and-white meditation on queer identity and intimacy. Told through a surreal series of encounters, the film blurs past and present, truth and illusion, in a deeply personal exploration of memory and love.
Passes & Tickets
Festival passes and VIP All-Film Passes are available now. Individual screening tickets go on sale April 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM (noon). Don’t miss your chance to witness this groundbreaking celebration of queer Asian cinema in Toronto.
For more details, visit: www.prideasianfilmfestival.ca
