Hi! I’m Jessica Gibson – born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I’m Chinese and Mennonite and, growing up on the outskirts of Winnipeg, I found I wasn’t surrounded by many folks who looked like me in real life or the media.
Having worked in film and television production for over a decade I was made aware of the struggle to achieve representation in front of and behind the camera for many communities. Now I’m privileged to continue working towards that goal with the National Screen Institute.
Now more than ever, I think it’s important to find common ground with each other. These commonalities build empathy and break down barriers. I think storytelling is a powerful tool that allows us to forge these connections.
I chose these films because I connected with each story and I hope you will too, no matter where you’re from.
The Suitcase spoke to me as a mother. It’s a story about the lengths a parent will go to offer their child a better life.
Mattress is about a seemingly innocuous situation that quickly spirals out of control as seen through the eyes of a child.
Mrs. Wang shows us how many chapters there can be in the story of your life.
The Suitcase
The Suitcase | Drama, 10:57, Mandarin with English subtitles, ON, 2016 | Director: Philip Leung
A mother from rural China must calm her daughter over the phone as she is smuggled to Canada in a suitcase. As her daughter confronts airline attendants, guard dogs and baggage handlers from within the suitcase, the mother paints a rosy picture of her daughter’s surroundings in order for her not to panic.
This live action/animated film deals with the resilience of immigrants and the lengths they go through to establish a better future for their family.
After Little Boy Lee and his family dump an old mattress in an alley, the mattress sparks an all-out suburban war. Dodging rotten eggs and Molotov cocktails, it’s up to the youngest member of the Lee family to do the right thing.
A short portrait of Wang Yaoping, a classically trained dancer of traditional Chinese ballet and owner of a corner store on the south shore of Montreal.
Jessica Gibson is a manager of programs and development at the National Screen Institute.
Act 2 End Racism – a coalition of concerned citizens and community groups of Asian descent who focus on Canadians affected by COVID-19 triggered related racism
The awards are open to all genres and platforms including drama, non-fiction, digital, kids, youth and podcasts. The virtual award ceremony takes place on June 13 on the BANFF World Media Festival YouTube channel.
Detention Adventure– directed by Joe Kicak (NSI Drama Prize), written and produced by Karen Moore (NSI Features First), produced by Ryan West (NSI Features First) and Lauren Corber (NSI Totally Television)
Drama Series: English Language
Transplant – created and executive produced by Joseph Kay (NSI Totally Television) and executive produced by Virginia Rankin (NSI Global Marketing)
Television Movie
I Was Lorena Bobbitt – directed by Danishka Esterhazy (NSI Drama Prize, NSI Features First)
Congratulations to the alumni talent showcased at the 2021 FascinAsian Film Festival, a virtual film festival celebrating the stories and perspectives of Asian-Canadian filmmakers from Manitoba and abroad.
The festival runs online from May 28 to 30 with panel discussions, awards and film premieres featuring alumni and National Screen Institute staff.
National Screen Institute program manager, Jessica Gibson is hosting the How To Make a Successful Short Film panel, featuring NSI alum Ian Bawa and Vincent Tang. The panel begins on Saturday, May 29 at 1:30 p.m. CT and will stream on the FascinAsian Facebook page.
