July 10, 2026
A film festival is a collaborative effort – and it would be entirely impossible without the wonderful filmmakers, artists, and creators who trust us with their work. This year, at the 13th edition of the Montreal Asian International Film Festival, we were especially grateful for the wonderful community of filmmakers that made MAiFF possible.
We are deeply grateful to share with you the kind words written by Park Hae-Oh, director of the short film “Broken Dawn,” which won the Dancheong Award for Best Cinematography. We deeply appreciate the kind words about our festival, and we are glad to have created a safe and supportive environment for Asian filmmakers in Montreal, Canada, and beyond.
Park Hae-Oh, Director of Broken Dawn:
“The 13th MAiFF was a truly meaningful and rewarding festival experience.
From the very beginning, the festival team communicated with warmth, professionalism, and genuine care for filmmakers. Every interaction reflected their commitment to supporting independent cinema and creating a welcoming environment for artists from diverse backgrounds.
I was deeply honored that our short film, "Broken Dawn," received the Dancheong Award for Best Cinematography. The recognition means a great deal to our entire team, and we are grateful to the jury and festival organizers for their thoughtful consideration of our work.
What makes MAiFF especially unique is its dedication to emerging Asian filmmakers and its ability to connect cinema with broader artistic and cultural conversations. The festival's interdisciplinary spirit and attention to detail made the experience feel personal, inspiring, and memorable.
Thank you to Arts East-West, the programming team, the jury members, and everyone who contributed to making this year's festival such a special event. I wholeheartedly recommend MAiFF to filmmakers around the world and would be honored to participate again in the future.”
In the coming weeks, we will continue to share testimonials from the other filmmakers and creatives that make up our unique community. Thank you again to Park Hae-Oh for his kind words, and to our community for supporting MAiFF unconditionally.
