CSC-Reel Asian Cinematography – Shorts award recipient Andrew Lee.
Andrew Lee, director of photography for the short film Reunion, was the recipient of the inaugural CSC-Reel Asian Best in Cinematography – Shorts Award at the 28th Reel Asian Film Festival, held from November 13 to 24 in Toronto. Reunion, directed by Ellen Yuna Ahn, is the story of two brothers who, after decades of separation reunite at a rare event where families from North and South Korea can come together.
Ahn was on hand to accept the award on Lee’s behalf.
What made the award even more special for Reel Asian and the CSC was that Reunion was one of six short films produced through the festival’s Unsung Voices Youth Video Production Workshop, which provided six emerging artists the chance to produce a distinct story in any genre. The six shorts produced by Unsung Voices received their premieres at Reel Asian 2024.
Alan Poon csc, a member of the CSC Diversity Committee who oversaw the jury, said, Lee’s work showed “exceptional craftsmanship and vision that helped elevate this difficult and powerful story.”
On the jury for the award were Kevin Wong csc, Duraid Munajim csc, and Associate Member Kaayla Whachell.
The CSC’s Diversity Committee has been working to have cinematography be more recognized at film festivals across Canada, in particular at the many diversity-centred festivals nationwide.
“Our objective with the festivals initiative is all about reaching talented cinematographers from underrepresented communities,” Poon says. “We want to find ways to promote and celebrate cinematography, elevate the filmmaking community by talking about the art and science of image-making, and most importantly, break down barriers to make cinematography more accessible. Having the CSC participate in adjudicating a Best in Cinematography – Shorts category is the first of its kind. It’s a really exciting and joyous occasion for us to get this off the ground and present an award like this, with hopefully many more to come.”
(l – r) CSC diversity committee member, Alan Poon csc, CSC director of strategic partnership Gail Picco, Reunion director Ellen Yuna Ahn, and Reel Asian Executive Director Deanna Wong at the Reel Asian Awards Brunch November 16, 2024.
