EXNW Global Connector Award

Chairperson & CEO, Film Development Council of the Philippines

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Jose Javier Reyes is a multi-awarded producer, director, writer, and academician, currently serving as Chairman and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. He previously served as Chairman of the Film Program at the School of New Media Arts at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (2018–2024) and as Chairman of the Competition and Monitoring Committee of the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, the Philippines' premier festival for independent cinema.

Reyes is also a member of the Education Committee of the Metro Manila Film Festival and formerly served as Creative Consultant for Regal Entertainment. A recipient of Best Director and Best Writer honors from major Philippine award-giving bodies, he received the Writers Union of the Philippines Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2006. He remains an active producer, writer, director, and educator.

Elder-in-Residence at UBC’s First Nations House of Learning

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Elder Larry Grant is of mixed Chinese and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) ancestry and is a respected Elder, educator, cultural knowledge keeper, and language advocate. For decades, Larry has worked to preserve and share the interconnected histories between Indigenous and Chinese communities in British Columbia, ensuring these relationships are remembered and passed on to future generations.

His life story and bridge-building work are featured in the film All Our Father’s Relations (2016 and his co-authored book Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong (2025), exploring identity, belonging, and the shared histories connecting Musqueam and Chinese Canadian communities.

Larry serves as Elder-in-Residence at UBC’s First Nations House of Learning, is an adjunct professor with UBC’s First Nations and Endangered Languages Program, and serves Musqueam as Language and Culture Consultant. Through storytelling, teaching, and cultural leadership, he continues to build bridges between Indigenous and Asian communities.

Chair, CISF for BPOC Creators

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Lalita is an award-winning documentary producer and long-time advocate for equity and representation in the screen sector. Her films have screened internationally and sparked important conversations around social change. She serves as Chair of the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators, supporting high-impact programs that address gaps in the funding ecosystem. Lalita has received numerous awards for both her productions and her commitment to mentoring and supporting the next generation of diverse Canadian storytellers.

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Prem Gill is a Vancouver-based entertainment leader championing creators, IP and inclusive storytelling. After a decade as CEO of Creative BC, she stepped down in June 2026, leaving a stronger creative economy spanning screen, music, digital media and publishing. Under her leadership, B.C.’s creative industries contributed $7.4B to GDP; motion picture reached $3B annually. Honoured with Reelworld’s 2025 Visionary Award and The Hollywood Reporter rankings, including Most Powerful Women in Canadian Entertainment, she is Bell Fund Vice-Chair.

Actor, Director, Writer, Producer

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Actor, director, and writer Randall Park is best known for his work as: Louis Hwang on ABC’s groundbreaking sitcom Fresh Off The Boat; Jimmy Woo in Marvel’s Ant Man and The Wasp and Wandavision; and as “Asian Jim” from the iconic cold open of The Office. Randall co-wrote, produced and starred in the critically-acclaimed Netflix romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe with his long time friend Ali Wong. He also played Kim Jong Un in the controversial Seth Rogen comedy The Interview. He is a Los Angeles native and a proud UCLA Bruin.

RESO Operations Manager; EXNW Summit Manager

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With over 15 years of experience in the medical and legal fields and a dedication for racial equity, Caitlin brings a wealth of administrative expertise to RESO. Beyond her professional roles, Caitlin has a deep passion for the arts, and is actively engaged in Vancouver's arts scene as an actor, improviser, and writer.

Documentary Filmmaker & Community Historian

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Sarah Ling is a documentary filmmaker, curator, and community historian with a research background in Chinese Canadian and First Nations relations. She was lead producer of the award-winning film All Our Father's Relations. She was selected for the 2025-2026 Telus Storyhive Pan-Asian Storyteller Program for which is directing China Lily Nation. Sarah serves as President of the British Columbia Historical Federation and as a Director for the Vancouver Historical Society. She is the co-founder of Chinatown Wonders.

VP Industry Development, Canada Media Fund

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Joy Loewen is the Vice President, Industry Development at the Canada Media Fund, overseeing inclusion and growth strategies. She was previously CEO of the National Screen Institute and a founding member of the Women’s Television Network. Based in Winnipeg, she holds a bachelor’s degree from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Joy was named Playback Canada’s 2023 Changemaker of the Year, and in 2024 was awarded East by Northwest’s Global Connector Award and Women in Film and Television’s Special Jury Award of Distinction.

CEO, Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

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Liz Shorten is Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), where she leads organizational operations and strategic implementation across its offices in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. With more than 25 years of experience in the film, television and digital media sectors, she has held senior leadership roles at Ontario Creates, Creative BC and CBC Television. A respected industry leader, Liz currently serves as Chair of REEL CANADA and Vice Chair of Screen BC. She was also a founding board member of the Pacific Screenwriting Program and co-founder of Women in View. Her contributions have earned her recognition as one of Business in Vancouver's Top 500 Business Leaders, The Hollywood Reporter's Top Canadian Women Leaders in Entertainment, and a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Actor, Writer, Filmmaker

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Diana Bang is a Korean-Canadian actor, writer, and filmmaker based in Vancouver. She began her career in performance and writing as a founding member of the acclaimed Asian Canadian sketch comedy troupe Assaulted Fish. Since then, she has expanded her creative practice into filmmaking, co-writing and co-directing several short films with her sister, Andrea Bang. As an actor, her screen credits include Resident Alien (Syfy), Y: The Last Man (FX), and The Interview (Sony).