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Centerpiece Spotlight Feature Narrative | A GREAT DIVIDE

Seen through the eyes of a Korean American family that leaves the Bay Area for small-town Wyoming after experiencing devastating loss, A GREAT DIVIDE addresses the emotional and psychological impact of racism and xenophobia on Asian Americans, the loneliness and sacrifice of immigrant sojourners and the generational burden of expectations that weigh on their children. But it’s also a story about a family repairing itself after tragedy, about a young man breaking out of his shell and finding love, about reconciliation and redemption.

Jean Shim

Emmy Award-winning director Jean Shim started her career directing television promos, feature trailers, and commercials. As head Creative Director, Shim’s credits include directing image campaigns for the Sci-Fi Channel, launching a network for Samsung Korea (casting John Cho), and creating main titles for Rysher Entertainment and Buena Vista Television. In 2005, Jean transitioned to independent film making. She was accepted to the Tribeca Film Festival All Access as a new director. She directed Starlight Inn, a short film starring Tamlyn Tomita (Joy Luck Club, Karate Kid) and Erin Daniels (The L Word). Starlight Inn was notable for featuring a woman director, producer, director of photography, editor, costume designer and assistant director. She took a break from the industry to raise a family and returned in 2019 to focus on stories with compelling Asian narratives. In 2021, she produced the feature narrative Shaky Shivers (directorial debut of Sung Kang of The Fast and the Furious).
Screening Time
Presenting Sponsors
Credits
Brian Yang, Jean Shim, Jeff Yang
Ken Jeong / Jae Suh Park / Emerson Min / Miya Cech / MeeWha Alana Lee / Jaime McShane / Seamus Dever / West Mulholland / Marshall Allman / Brooke Markham / Greg Winter
FeatureD on
Bentonville Film Festival, Big Eddy Film Festival, Heartland International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, Silicon Valley Asian Film Festival

Festival passes

This year, VAFF 2023 FESTIVAL, screening programs in person and virtual will be organized into various series in order to better highlight the diverse content in our festival. These Series include Spotlight Series, Documentary Features Series, Narrative Features Series, Westcoast Shorts Series, Canadian Shorts Series, International Short Series, Animation Series, VAFF Industry Insight Series and Special Events.

vaff27 venues

Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

88 W Pender St 3rd floor, Vancouver, BC V6B 6N9

Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas

88 W Pender St 3rd floor, Vancouver, BC V6B 6N9