The 25th Reel 2 Real International Film Festival for Youth is back with in-person and online screenings from March 28th to April 6th. The Festival brings in professionally made films and showcases a variety of international media artworks while promoting youth films, inspiring young people with new ideas and to increase their understanding of the art of filmmaking. Recommendations from Fairchild TV and Talentvision include Academy Award for Best Animated Feature nominee “New Gods: Yang Jian”, short films from China: “Existence” where a young girl reflects on how to best remember and honour her late grandfather, and “A Passing Cloud” which tells the story of a rideshare driver who questions her role as a mother, as she learns more about her pregnant teenage passenger.
NEW GODS: YANG JIAN
The movie “New Gods: Yang Jian” was directed by Ji Zhao. This latest entry in the New Gods universe from Light Chaser Animation (White Snake, New Gods: Nezha Reborn) presents awe-inspiring action sequences set against breathtaking and wildly imaginative environments. Combining ancient lore with dazzling animation, “New Gods: Yang Jian” is a timeless adventure of epic proportions featuring one of China’s legendary mythic figures.
Fairchild Television and Talentvision are now giving away One-Film Family In-person Screening Pass good for 4 people. If any of these amazing films sparks your interest, then make sure to participate in the lucky draw. Head over to Fairchild TV or Talentvision's game page and name one of the recommended Chinese movies to enter now!
R2R International Film Festival for Youth
Date: March 28th - April 6th Address: Vancity Theatre and Roundhouse Community Centre Website: r2rfestival.org
The 27th Kamloops Film Festival will take place from March 2nd to 11th, featuring a wide range of award-winning productions, including Fairchild Television and Talentvision’s special presentation of “Everything Everywhere All at Once”, a time-traveling sci-fi film starring the first time Oscar nominee and Best Actress at the Golden Globe Awards Michelle Yeoh. Amongst the incredible lineup is also “Elvis”, a musical biopic about the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, played by Best Actor at the Golden Globe Awards Austin Butler. Another film you won't want to miss is "The Fabelmans", winner of Best Feature Film and Best Director at the Golden Globe. Directed by Stephen Spielberg, the movie is based on his personal experience which tells the story about the rise and fall of producer Fabelman who discovered a shattering family secret but finally became a legend in the film industry.
To celebrate the Kamloops Film Festival's 27th Anniversary, special commemorative gifts will be given to our viewers. Head over to Fairchild TV or Talentvision's game page and name one of the participating films in this year's festival for a chance to win a limited edition gift pack!
Submission Deadline: February 26th at 11:59 p.m. (PST)
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake and dozens of aftershocks hit the border between southern Türkiye and Syria at 4AM local time on February 6th. Deemed the strongest earthquake in a century, this disaster resulted in thousands of casualties and counting. Fairchild Media Group would like to express our condolences and is appealing to everyone for their assistance for the earthquake victims. Until February 22nd, if you donate through the Canadian Red Cross website, the Canadian Federal Government will make an equal match of up to 10 million dollars to aid relief efforts following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. For each dollar of donation, the victims will receive $2.
The Canadian Red Cross uses the International Red Cross network to keep up to date with the earthquake dynamics in Türkiye and Syria to determine the situation and related needs without any delay. Fairchild Media Group would like to seek your support for those affected by the earthquake. Visit the “Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria Appeal” website specially set up by the Canadian Red Cross for Fairchild Media Group to make a tax-deductible donation directly by credit card or PayPal.
Please donate now and help the victims of the disastrous earthquake in Türkiye & Syria to rebuild their homes as soon as possible.
To welcome the Year of the Rabbit, Aberdeen Centre ushered the auspicious and energetic lion dance performance on the eighth day of Lunar New Year. The gongs and drums added to the lively atmosphere as the lion entered Fairchild Television to perform the “Plucking the Greens” ceremony, bringing good luck and fortune to the Company, and wishing all employees a smooth and prosperous year ahead!
Produced by Fairchild TV, the annual CNY countdown show had been broadcasting live at Aberdeen Centre for over 2 decades before it was suspended due to the pandemic. After two years of absences, "CNY Canada West Special 2023" returned live onstage at Aberdeen Centre on January 21 Chinese New Year's Eve. Over 1000 guests and hundreds of thousands of nationwide TV viewers were counting down together to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit.
The much-anticipated event was unveiled by a phenomenal lion dance at 10:30 pm, blessing guests with a celebratory atmosphere. As the majestic lions entered, accompanied by the powerful drumming, more than a thousand audiences were cheering in the mall to welcome the New Year.
Emcees, Mary Lo, and Mandy Chan (A-Hoi) first wished everyone a happy Chinese New Year, followed by an introduction to the amazing program line-up for the evening. A group of cute and bubbly kids from The Cindy Yang Dance Academy greeted the crowd with a fast-paced “Dragon and Phoenix” dance. The performance brought a lot of energy and vitality to Aberdeen Centre, signifying a strong and vigorous new year ahead for everyone. Next, the Miss Chinese Vancouver emerged in eye-catching steps, ready to dance the night away in the most festive music! Their impressive fusion of Guzheng, piano and graceful dances in a traditional Chinese number also elevated the already uplifting ambience. Adding onto the celebratory spirits, Chinese metaphysics master, Anna Mak, revealed the zodiac fortunes of the Year of the Rabbit, giving our audiences tips and guidance to avoid bad luck. In the TruNatural CNY Cooking Show, Chef Philip made a festive CNY dish, "Prosperity and Harmony" to send off the Year of the Tiger and welcome the Year of the Rabbit. The dish is simple to make, nutritious, and full of new year symbolism.
The festivity would not be complete without fun-filled games and fabulous prizes. While guests were invited to participate at the TELUS CNY Game and lucky draws, Marco Kou (A-Bo) checked out the Chinese New Year’s Market and handed out red pockets to mall visitors. With the exciting grand finale lucky draw, many fortunate individuals were bringing wonderful prizes back home.
As the celebration continued, the clock was ticking. The God of Fortune joined all performers and dignitaries on stage as thousands of audiences counted down together to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. Lastly, the God of Fortune mingled with the crowd and gave away lucky red pockets, wishing everyone a happy new year. Fairchild TV would also like to take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous Year of the Rabbit!
Grand Lucky Draw Winners:
Trail Appliances - HENCKELS NEO 10 Piece Cookware Set (Feng Yan Yang)
Grand Performance Auto Centre - Gift certificate (Nga Ki Chau)
Marble House Eatery - Dinner certificate (Ho Sam Wan)
Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery - Gift certificate (Mei Qin Chen)
Renowned composer, producer, conductor and veteran Fairchild Television Advisory Board member Joseph Koo passed away on January 3rd at the age of 92.
Koo was born on January 9th, 1931, in Guangzhou and developed a passion for music and the arts at a very young age. His family relocated to Hong Kong when the Sino-Japanese War broke out. Under the guidance of his sister Carrie Koo, a popular singer and actress in the ‘50s and ‘60s, Koo developed his skills as a talented pianist. Koo officially launched a career in the music industry after entering a song writing contest organised by Shaw Brothers Studio for the movie “Love Without End” with the song “Dream,” followed by a series of highly acclaimed movie theme songs. Sponsored by Sir Run Run Shaw and Ms. Mona Fong, Koo attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston in the early ‘60s as its first Chinese student. He worked for both the Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest Studios after graduating, composing original film scores.
In 1968, Koo was invited by Robert Chua to join TVB as a judge for a singing talent show and Music Director for the long-running variety show “Enjoy Yourself Tonight.” In the ‘70s and ‘80s, he wrote numerous TV theme songs, most of which have become all-time golden classics. Koo became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1982 in honour of his remarkable contributions to the music industry in Hong Kong.
Koo kept creating music well into the ‘90s and immigrated to Canada around that time. He composed the original theme song for Fairchild Television and Fairchild Radio during the stations' inception in 1993 and, two years later, created the theme music for the inaugural Miss Chinese Vancouver and Miss Chinese Toronto Pageants. Both pieces are familiar tunes on TV and various platforms up until this day. With tremendous experience and insight in the broadcasting business, Koo was a long-time member of the Fairchild Television Advisory Board and sat on the panel for the New Talent Singing Awards Vancouver Audition multiple times as a head judge.
In 2007, he wrote the theme song for the TVB drama in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Handover. Later that year, he was invited by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to be the conductor for a tribute concert for Koo himself.
He received an honorary doctorate degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014 when he was honoured at a concert by the CUHK Choir. Koo announced his retirement in 2015 with a celebration concert. On July 1st that year, he was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR. Koo returned to Vancouver afterwards to enjoy his retirement.
Koo peacefully passed away from natural causes while surrounded by family. He will be dearly missed within the music industry and by Chinese communities around the world.
