Speaker Highlights

Meet some of the speakers who joined us at EXNW 2023

Keynote Speakers

Shannon Lee

Summit Keynote Speaker Chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation

Instagram: @therealshannonlee

Shannon Lee is the CEO and Owner of the Bruce Lee Family Companies and Chair of the Bruce Lee Foundation, as well as the daughter of the legendary martial artist and cultural icon, Bruce Lee. Shannon’s mission is to provide access to her father’s philosophy and life through education and entertainment and be a cause of healing and unity in the world. She is the creator of Camp Bruce Lee and the One Family Initiative through the Bruce Lee Foundation, and has spoken at TED, TEDx, and Creative Mornings, to name a few. Shannon hosts the Bruce Lee Podcast and executive produces Max’s Warrior, now streaming season 3. Her first book, Be Water, My Friend, was released in October 2020 and offers insight on how to use her father’s philosophies toward a more fluid, peaceful and fulfilling life.

SHANNON LEE

Bing Chen

Co-Founder Gold House, Executive Chairman and Founder of AU Holdings

Instagram: @bingchen

Bing Chen is an impact founder, investor, and new world builder. He is Executive Chairman and Founder of AU Holdings: a family of companies that incubate and invest in multicultural creators, companies, and communities to rebalance socioeconomic equity. He is also Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder of Gold House that powers cultural change by uniting, investing in, and championing Asian Pacific communities. Previously, he was YouTube's Global Head of Creator Development and Management, where he was one of the original and principal architects of the multi-billion dollar creator and influencer ecosystem that supports 300 million creators worldwide. He is a Hollywood Reporter Next Gen Leader and Most Influential Agent of Change and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree along with many other accolades. Bing is a third culture kid across North America and Asia, finally graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, which becomes obvious at $11.99 buffets.

Bing Chen

Jeremy Tran

Co-Founder Gold House, Executive Director and COO of Gold House

Instagram: @jeremyntran

Jeremy is the Executive Director and COO of Gold House, the premier collective of multicultural leaders dedicated to systemically unlocking socioeconomic equity for multicultural communities through unity, investments, and promotion. Gold House transforms the public narrative and mobilizes action through innovative programs that advance API representation and success. Prior to joining Gold House, Jeremy was a counsel at O'Melveny & Myers working on high-stakes entertainment litigation, including the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial and AT&T and Time Warner merger trial. He was born and raised in Southern California and went to college and law school at Harvard.

jeremy Tran

Presenters and Panelists

Loc Dao

Loc Dao is the Executive Director of DigiBC - the Creative Technology Association of BC representing over 250 companies and 17,000 people in the video game, animation, VFX, XR, and virtual production industries. He’s the acting chair of the board of the Canadian Interactive Alliance representing over 3000 companies working in Interactive Digital Media in Canada and employing over 50,000 people and is on the management Board of Invest Vancouver and the board of directors of the Centre for Digital Media. Loc was recently named to Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 for co-founding and co-curating Signals - The Creative Technology Showcase in partnership with VIFF. Loc co-founded the first public media digital studios at CBC and the NFB and led in the invention of new forms of storytelling such as the interactive documentary and immersive experiences that were recognized by academics, peers and critics globally.

Loc Dao

Zara Durrani

Zara Durrani is a Pakistani Canadian TV host and actress. Her captivating presence and infectious energy have allowed her to work as a television host, actress and content creator around the world. Her show Life & Style with Zara was seen nationally on 4 networks. She was proud to be invited by the governments of Uzbekistan and Morocco and covered the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit. She lived in Paris while working for international media outlets. She is currently filming the Inspired Life Vancouver that aims to inspire audiences through heartfelt conversations with local artists making a positive impact.

Zara Durrani

Patricia Ratulangi

Andrew Chung

Andrew is a Writer/Director based in Toronto, Canada. His films, Ma, Lovebites, and White Elephant, have been broadcast on Air Canada, CBC, Fuse, and the Super Channel. His digital series, Millions, won him Best Director at the Marseille Web Fest in France. His short film, Ma, won Best Short at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. His feature film, White Elephant, won Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Writer at the Reelworld Film Festival, Best Canadian Feature and Best Overall Performance at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, and Best Ensemble and Best Set Design at the Canadian Film Festival. Andrew is also a Production and Screenwriting Professor at George Brown College and Conestoga College, the Co-Founder of the Asian Canadian Film Alliance (ACFA), a community advocacy group dedicated to championing Asian Canadian voices in film, and a Board Member of the Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO). He is currently in development on his TV drama, Killer and Cadet, with Bell Media.

Andrew Chung

Patricia Ratulangi

VP, Global Communications at Nielsen

Patricia Ratulangi oversees Nielsen’s internal and external communications focused on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. She is also an advocate and thought leader for underrepresented communities. Pat is responsible for proactive external communications around Nielsen’s insights on diverse audiences and content. An avid storyteller — she brings to life Nielsen’s corporate narrative to connect and engage diverse communities around the world by using relevant data to amplify underrepresented voices. With over 20 years of experience in corporate communications, Pat leads the team that engages stakeholders through storytelling, data-driven insights, and social media. She is also Nielsen’s AANHPI community expert & spokesperson. Based in Chicago, Pat loves the diversity of her town and exploring new cultures by being in the various neighborhoods — especially trying out restaurants. She loves cooking and getting to know people through the food they eat. In 2022, Pat won PRSA Chicago's Diversity & Inclusion Champion award.

Elder Larry Grant

Elder Larry Grant is of mixed Chinese and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) ancestry. Born on a hop field as a premature baby in Agassiz, BC, Larry was raised in Musqueam traditional territory. Larry is the Elder-in-Residence at the UBC First Nations House of Learning, is an adjunct professor with the UBC First Nations Endangered Language Program and serves the Musqueam Nation as the Language and Culture Consultant. Larry is a former band counsellor, a grandfather, educator and cultural practitioner. He leads conversations on understanding Indigenous human rights and teaches cultural relevance of language to culture, Musqueam history and Musqueam cultural practices and way of living, being and relating.

Elder Larry Grant

Marcia Douglas

A biracial Filipina Canadian, Marcia has more than 20 years of experience in the development and production of Canadian screen-based content for traditional and digital platforms and audiences. Prior to joining the CMF, she held roles at the Canadian Media Producers Association, the Bell Fund, the Cogeco Fund, and the Independent Production Fund. The Growth and Inclusion team works within the CMF and with industry to establish policies and opportunities to foster equity and inclusion, sector development, and promote environmental sustainability. She has also worked as a producer, production manager, and assistant director.

Marcia Douglas

Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains

Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains is the Director of the South Asian Studies Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley and an Associate Professor in the School of Culture, Media and Society, College of Arts. Dr Bains’ research interests include the study the impact of language, culture and identity on South Asian Canadian migration, settlement, and integration, anti-racist curriculum implementation; identity politics; migration and the South Asian Canadian Diaspora and politics as well as Punjabi Canadian cultural historiography. Dr Bains is the Chair of the Knowledge Network, Director of the Abbotsford Community Foundation and has served as a Commissioner on the Agricultural Land Commission, as a Director of the Fraser Basin Council, as a Bencher on the Law Society of British Columbia and as a member of the Farm Industry Review Board for British Columbia.

Zarqa Nawaz

In 2007, Zarqa created the internationally renowned CBC comedy series, Little Mosque on the Prairie, the world’s first sitcom about a Muslim community living in the west. The show premiered to the highest ratings CBC had in over 20 years and went on to win a Gemini, and was nominated for Best Television Series.

In 2014, she published her best selling comedic memoir, Laughing All the Way to the Mosque. And in 2022, she published her first novel, Jameela Green Ruins Everything was. Both books were short listed for the Saskatchewan Book Awards.

Zarqa’s web series, ZARQA, is streaming on CBC Gem.

Dr. Satwinder Kaur Bains

Zarqa Nawaz

Prem Gill

Prem Gill is Chief Executive Officer of Creative BC. The organization is designated by the Province of British Columbia to focus on uniting, sustaining and growing British Columbia’s dynamic and diverse creative sector including motion picture, music and sound recording, interactive and digital media, and magazine and book publishing. Prem has been named one of Canada’s 100 most powerful women, Vancouver Magazine’s “Power 50” and received the Community Catalyst award from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. She brings more than 20 years of experience from the digital media and entertainment industries to her current role as CEO, where she is responsible for delivering a wide range of programs and services that will expand B.C.’s creative economy to reach its economic, social and creative potential both at home and globally.

Prem Gill

Ray Walia, FCPA, FCMA

Instagram: @launch.vc

Recognized as one of the 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in Vancouver, Canada for 2021 & 2022, Ray Walia is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in both the entertainment and technology sectors. Ray founded Launch Ventures which owns and operates a network of proprietary accelerators, innovation labs, and investment funds. The most prominent incubator is Launch Academy, Western Canada’s leading entrepreneurship facility, which has worked with more than 6000 entrepreneurs of which 300 have grown their startups to Seed and Series A stage and raised over $2.5 Billion in funding.

Ray Walia

Gary Ye

Gary Ye is a director and storyboard artist working in the Vancouver animation industry since 2014. His directing work includes shows like Agent Elvis and Devil May Care, and he has done storyboard work for shows like The Last Kids on Earth and Star Trek: Lower Decks. His short films have also played in festivals internationally.

Gary Ye

Ryan Wang

Ryan Wang is recognized globally as a pioneer and leader in the AI, Metaverse, XR, and Web3 industries. He is Co-founder and General Partner of Outpost Capital. Established in 2015, Outpost Capital is a leading cross-border early stage venture fund based in San Francisco and China, focusing on frontier technology investments. In 2020, Ryan co-founded Zebra Labs, a metaverse entertainment company creating new IPs and content with cutting edge technology in gaming and AI. Ryan oversees companies in the US and greater China with solid insights and strong connections in both markets and has been frequently featured by international media, and invited to deliver keynotes at numerous conferences globally.

Ryan Wang

William Lau

Instagram: @willau71

William Lau is an award-winning Vancouver director with extensive experience in digital animation and live-action. Will has been involved in the animation industry since the groundbreaking television series REBOOT first aired in 1994. He has directed over 18 feature-length CG animated films and numerous television episodes for major companies such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sony, Mattel, eOne/Hasbro, and Spinmaster. Will is known for pushing creative and technical boundaries in all genres, from dramatic character-driven stories to visually striking adventure, sci-fi-fantasies. Some of his notable directing credits include the Daytime Emmy Award and Leo Award-winning The Last Kids On Earth, My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, and the hugely successful animated musical Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper. WWW.WILLLAUFILMS.COM

William Lau

Priyanka Desai

Priyanka Desai is an award winning broadcast journalist-turned-TV Producer/Director, who specializes in stories that impact and entertain. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Priyanka is known for her understanding of diverse cultures across two continents. In Canada her credits include a variety of producing roles for the likes of TELUS Originals, Storyhive, APTN, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and AMI. Her mission is to enable immigrant women of colour to achieve professional excellence in Canada.

Priyanka Desai

Kent Donguines

Kent Donguines is a Filipino-Canadian narrative and documentary filmmaker based in Vancouver, BC. He is the CEO of Aimer Films Inc. and has produced the award-winning CBC short documentary, THIS INK RUNS DEEP, which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. He also wrote, directed, and produced the Telus Storyhive short film KALINGA(Care), a documentary about the sacrifices Filipina nannies make to work in Canada. Kent has worked for production companies in Canada and the Philippines, including Cedar Island Films Inc., Black Cap Pictures (Ten17p), Viva Entertainment, and Star Cinema. His latest short film, funded by Harold Greenberg Fund, BC Arts Council, Canadian Film Centre, CreativeBC, and the National Film Board of Canada, PACO received the Grand Prize in this year’s Stage32 Annual Film Contest and has secured a broadcast license with CRAVE.

Kent Donguines

Julie Nguyen

Julie has nearly 20 years of experience working in children's animation production. She has worked her way up from PA to Line Producer throughout her career. She has a deep understanding and knowledge of the 2D animation pipeline from script and storyboards, through to animation and post production. Julie’s credits include Storybots: Answer Time for Netflix, Nature Cat & Let’s Go Luna for PBS, Welcome to the Wayne for Nickelodeon, Ever After High for Mattel, and 6TEEN & Total Drama Island for Teletoon. A career highlight was working on the Oscar, Golden Globe nominated and Annie Award winning film The Breadwinner for Cartoon Saloon.

Julie Nguyen

Nathan Sing

TikTok: @nathan.sing

Nathan Sing is a journalist, writer and filmmaker. Currently, he is a creative producer for STROMBO and the managing editor of The RepresentASIAN Project. Born and raised in Vancouver, Nathan is devoted to creating work that illuminates the complexities behind the food we eat, our connection to the nature that grounds us, the culture that unites us and the systems we power.

Nathan Sing

Baljit Sangra

Baljit Sangra is a Vancouver-based filmmaker who uses documentaries to explore social and cross-cultural issues. Her films shine a light on underrepresented and marginalized voices and stories an award-winning, six-time Leo Award nominee, Sangra’s films have routinely premiered at festivals worldwide. Baljit runs her own production company Viva Mantra Films Inc and has a slate in development. Viva Mantra Films also line-produced several international projects including Bollywood features shot in BC for leading companies such as Yashraj Films, Ramoji Rao, and T-Series. Viva Mantra Films got its start producing an A&E TV series VIVA! For City TV & Omni/Channel M for 4 Seasons.

Baljit Sangra

Sally Lee

Sally is the Executive Director of the Canadian Independent Screen Fund for BPOC Creators and sits on the Boards of Wavelength Music and the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. She is also actively involved in the Advisory Board of the Reel Asian International Film Festival and is a member of the Advocacy Network of the Toronto Arts Foundation. Sally has worked in non-profit arts for over three decades, working at grassroots artist-run groups, mid-size organizations, and larger cultural institutions across several disciplines including visual and media arts, performing arts, and literature.

Sally Lee

Angie Balata

Angie Balata spent the last 20 years working in various regions, including the Middle East and Europe, at the intersections of social justice, human rights, the creative industries, and culture. With expertise in community development and narrative change, she has led projects across various arts sectors, including music, graffiti, film and tv, to mobilize communities around social justice, gender equity, and political and cultural freedoms in different countries, including Germany, Egypt, Denmark, Morocco, Lebanon, and Palestine. Currently she is a Program Manager at Inspirit Foundation in Toronto, where she led the design and development of the Narrative Change Lab, a multi-pronged project aimed at shifting the narrative landscape for Muslims in Canada using pop culture.

Angie Balata

Joshua Nilson

Co-Founder & GM, East Side Games

Josh Nilson, a Métis man from Northern BC, has led East Side Games as a founder for the past 12 years. He was recently named Person of the Year as part of BC Tech’s Technology Impact Awards in 2022 and is now a member of the BC Innovators Hall of Fame. He was also included in the BC500 list of influential business leaders in British Columbia for two consecutive years. Under his leadership, ESG won the first-ever BC Business “Business of Good Awards” in the Indigenous Prosperity category, was named one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies of 2022 and was shortlisted for Best Mobile Developer as part of the Pocket Gamer Awards. Recently ESG worked with Code Coven to become the first studio to complete Evolve: The Studio Accreditation program.

Aylex Thunder

Barbara Lee

Barbara Lee has spent over twenty-five years advocating and organizing events to increase opportunities for Canadian Asian artists in the screen industry. She is the Founder of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF), Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO), Elimin8Hate.org and co-Founder of the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon (MAMM). Barbara is also a writer and independent filmmaker and worked as a broadcast journalist receiving the national RTNDA Award for Best Editorial in 1998. Her film “In Between the Laughter” was one of the National Film Board’s REELDIVERSITY 2004 winners which aired on CBC and PBS Northwest. She is currently finishing her personal music documentary SING MY SONG and her horror script.

Joshua Nilson

Barbara Lee

Michelle Chubb

@indigenous_baddie

Michelle Chubb, aka Indigenous Baddie, uses TikTok & Instagram to educate others about Indigenous life and issues while being a first time mom. Through the platforms, she shares her culture, talks about the history of Canada while tackling stereotypes, & encourages others to reconnect with their roots.

Michelle Chubb

Aylex Thunder

@aylexthunder

Aylex is an athlete, musician, and entrepreneur on a mission to providing accessible education to the world. Famous for his viral content in the music, comedy, fashion, badminton, real estate, and luxury lifestyle niches, Aylex has accumulated a following of over 5 million across social platforms and has worked with notable brands such as: CBC, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Royal Conservatory of Music, and more. AylexTV Inc. currently runs 5 channels, manages a talent roster of over 20million+ followers, and provides consulting services in the niche of viral content creation. Aside from social media, he also runs 3 separate businesses in the real estate, pet, and web3 industries.

Tara Mustapha

CEO & Founder, Code Coven

Tara (she/her) is an award-winning, seasoned game designer and producer. Her experience in gaming is vast, as she’s worked with studios such as Microsoft, and EA. Her bewitching work doesn’t stop there, as she and Code Coven have been recognized for their work by TGA: Future Class, WiG Global and MCV/Develop Awards. She founded Code Coven in 2018, with the aim of making careers in the games industry achievable and nurturing for marginalized communities. She’s passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, and through her educational work seeks to give them the building blocks to make their magic happen.

Tara Mustapha

Hanna Cho

Hanna is Interim Executive Director of RESO. She is an inveterate convener, cultural strategist, and community advocate. She is passionate about bringing people, ideas, and cultures together. A multidisciplinary cultural producer, she brings nearly two decades of experience from interactive media production, museums, and community engagement to her current role at RESO. From her policy roots as a digital humanities researcher, to her leadership in museums, or her grassroots work as a cofounder of an early community wireless network, Hanna strives to enliven and empower conversations around equity through creativity, care, and action.

Wilson Tang

CEO & Chief Designer, YumeBao

WILSON J. TANG is an artist, designer and entrepreneur working at the forefront of digital media for 20+ years. His work experience spans architecture, film, and video games at companies such as Electronic Arts, Industrial Light & Magic (Lucasfilm) and the mobile game studio Kabam Vancouver (as co-founder). During that time, Wilson has had the privilege of working with celebrated directors such as Ang Lee and George Lucas, as well as world class IPs and companies such as Marvel, Star Wars, Nike, and Microsoft. Wilson is currently the founder and CEO of YumeBau Inc. (www.Yumebau.com) a Design & Innovation Lab with world class clients such as Meta, Epic and Microsoft.

Carina Kom

Game Director, MixMob

Carina Kom (she/hers) is a dynamic force in the game industry as a video game director and producer, she has contributed to both indie gems and massive AAA titles. Over 15+ years of experience collaborating with renowned teams like EA, Microsoft, and a handful of indies for successful launches on multiple platforms. Beyond her professional achievements, Carina operates two not-for-profit organizations, driven by her belief in innovation at any scale. Proudly representing underrepresented roles as an LGBTQ+ and Asian woman, she finds joy in connecting with people from all backgrounds. And when not creating fun (which is mandatory in her job), she enjoys tea, rum, and spending time with her grandma on weekends.

Carina Kom

Wilson Tang

Janice Chua

Instagram: @lobsterjans

Janice Chua is Vice President of Imagine International. She manages the development and production of local language content in Asia, including Taiwan Crime Stories. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Development and Production Asia at Ivanhoe Pictures where she developed and packaged chinese-language projects for China and, also served as one of the producers on Crazy Rich Asians. Born and raised in Singapore, Janice started her career in China as an international film sales manager. She then became Director of International at Beijing Galloping Horse where she oversaw international business and co-productions such as John Woo’s The Crossing.

Janice Chua

Kadon Douglas

With a reverence for artists and griots coupled with a deep commitment to equity and decolonization, BIPOC TV & Film executive director Kadon Douglas finds her joy in supporting creative talent in building thriving careers. Before BIPOC TV & FILM, Kadon led marketing and communication strategies at The Creative School at Ryerson University and Women in Film & Television-Toronto. Kadon also worked for several years in the documentary production field as a production coordinator, researcher, and digital marketing and audience engagement specialist. She is also a 2019 Ontario Nonprofit Network RBC Leading the Future fellow and a 2023 Globe and Mail Top 25 Most Influential People in Canadian TV. Kadon is also an active member of the screen-based media community, volunteering her time on various advisory committees and juries.

Hanna Cho

Kadon Douglas

Sidartha Murjani

Instagram: @s1dartha

With 8 short films under his belt as a writer, director and producer, Sidartha’s films combine comedy with spiritual wisdom inspired from his inner voice, his film ‘The Interview” - a film about where does happiness come from (2019) won best short film in the Canadian screen award qualifying film festival, VISAFF. His subsequent films Gratitude (2021) and Remnants (2022) won best comedy and best film in Toronto and Brazil among many other awards and nominations. Sidartha is also the director of feature programming in the Vancouver Asian Film Festival and is a big foodie, bike enthusiast and film lover.

Sidartha Murjani

Brian Pang

Product Leader of Positive Play, Electronic Arts

Brian Pang is a Product Development Director at Electronic Arts (EA). He also serves as a lead, advisor, and board member at organizations centered on equity for Asian Americans. Through his work with Stand with Asian Americans, Asian Justice Movement, Asian Leaders Alliance, ACE NextGen, APAs vs Hate, Elimin8hate, Ascend Leadership, Racial Equity Screen Office, YPC, and Asians in Gaming, Brian is devoted to advocacy for marginalized communities, for-justice initiatives, and systemic improvements to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion.

Brian Pang

Juliana Loh

Immersive XR Creative Technologist, splashmango.com

Juliana Loh is the force behind Splash Mango, a creative boutique in Vancouver, Canada. She has worked at the intersection of brand entertainment, games and education and uses human centric design principles to provide a process-oriented framework for discovery. With a reputation for creating professional tiltbrush VR/AR creations, immersive experiences (UX of immersion), empathy workshops and building worlds in Horizon Worlds, Juliana designs imaginative projects that evoke a sense of place, sensation, memories/stories or playful inspiration. Juliana works in the “sandbox” of entertainment, story and product/training uses. “I believe in the limitless belief of Imagination and the power of empathy and design to harness ideas, help create better design decisions and improve how we live.”– Juliana Loh

Juliana Loh

Nolan McAllister

Nolan McAllister, a visionary Métis cinematographer and director from British Columbia, has spent the past decade pushing boundaries and redefining storytelling. He pursued advanced training at the renowned American Society of Cinematography to enhance his innate talent. As the founder of Orenda Films Inc., a 100% Indigenous-owned company based in British Columbia, Nolan leads a creative and innovative venture that exemplifies Indigenous storytelling and empowerment. His focus is on crafting culturally authentic Indigenous-led film and video productions that forge connections and drive impactful change. Additionally, Nolan advocates for social justice and inclusivity, challenging narratives and amplifying underrepresented voices. He stands at the forefront of a new era in filmmaking, creating transformative experiences worldwide.

Nolan McAllister

Michelle Tiang

Michelle Tiang is a Singaporean marketing professional and content creator based in Canada. With over 20 years of experience in the marketing industry, Michelle currently works as a senior marketing director for a premium dessert company. In her free time, Michelle also channels her creative energy into social media, where she has amassed a dedicated following of 1.6 million on TikTok. Michelle’s journey as a content creator began three years ago, at the start of the pandemic, as she sought to spread joy and kindness through lighthearted and wholesome content. Today, she shares captivating glimpses into her family and lifestyle, captivating audiences with her relatable and engaging approach.

Michelle Tiang

Osric Chau

Instagram: @osricchau

Osric Chau is a Chinese-Malaysian Filmmaker from Vancouver Canada. He’s been a working actor for over 20 years who’s work has taken him around the world and across all genres. Over the last 5 years, Osric has produced 3 feature films, and several short films, including one he directed. Having recently moved back to Vancouver after living in Los Angeles for the last decade, Osric is actively developing feature films, scripted, and unscripted series with creative engines coming out of Vancouver, as he sets roots back to his hometown.

Osric Chau

Joyce Tang

Director, World Trade Centre Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Joyce Tang has twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur and business management professional. Her expertise includes process improvement, change management, facilitation, customer service, sales, manufacturing, and negotiation. Joyce is educated in Biotechnology, International Business Management, Translation (English/Chinese), Executive MBA and Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®). Through her current role with the World Trade Centre Vancouver for Canada's Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), she supports over 200 B.C. companies in their international expansion to over 44 countries.

Joyce Tang

Andrew Ooi

CEO Echelon Talent Management

Andrew Ooi started Echelon Talent Management in 1994. Today, he represents some of the top Asian actors in film and television, including 2 time Golden Horse winner and International Emmy Award nominee Yeo Yann Yann (WET SEASON, AMERICAN BORN CHINESE), 3 time Golden Horse winner Lisa Lu (JOY LUCK CLUB, CRAZY RICH ASIANS) who is considered a living treasure in China; Tzi Ma (THE FAREWELL, MULAN), Byron Mann (THE BIG SHORT, THE MODELIZER), Ludi Lin (MORTAL KOMBAT, AQUAMAN), Chin Han (THE DARK KNIGHT, MORTAL KOMBAT), actors and K-POP stars Henry Lau and Nichkhun, and 2021 Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner Youn Yuh Jung (MINARI). His clients have also starred in Hollywood films like THE LAST EMPEROR, QUIET AMERICAN, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON, ARRIVAL, SKYSCRAPER; and China’s all time biggest box office hits WOLF WARRIOR 2, and THE WANDERING EARTH. On television, his clients have worked on shows like MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE, ARROW, SUPERNATURAL, 24, KUNG FU, and China’s all time most watched series THE STORY OF YANXI PALACE which was streamed more than 15 billion times in 2018. Most recently, he executive produced the feature THE MODELIZER (Vertical). Andrew’s other producing credits include the spoof movie SHRIEK IF YOU KNOW WHAT I DID LAST FRIDAY THE 13th (Lions Gate), DIM SUM FUNERAL (HBO), and the award-winning mini-series DRAGON BOYS for the CBC.

Andrew Ooi

Subi Liang

@Ongsquad

Subi Liang is a veteran producer with a media and visual arts background. In 2006, Liang produced her first feature film, ISABELLA winning the Silver Bear for Best Film Music at Internationalen Filmfestspiele Berlin. In 2010, she produced a Chinese Web series FOUR-NIGHT OF STRANGE TALES, starring Zhou Xun, which garnered up to 400 million clicks within two months, breaking records for a Chinese online film. Liang has produced all subsequent Pang Ho-Cheung-directed films, including the hits LOVE IN A PUFF (2010), VULGARIA (2012), and LOVE IN THE BUFF (2012). In 2014, with her long experience in global film distribution and production, Liang partnered with Ricky Tse, a senior distribution executive of Media Asia Group. It formed Bravos Pictures, focusing on film and TV commercial productions, global distribution, marketing, and promotions. As of today, the company has distributed over 100 titles globally. Her production company is now based in Vancouver, Canada, with subsidiaries in Hong Kong and Singapore, concentrating on production development from North America and Asia.

Subi Liang

Yin Wang

Yin Wang, a multifaceted and promising young actor, whose magnetic charisma and charm leaves a lasting impact on everyone he meets. Yin was recently cast in Netflix’s sci-fi thriller "3-Body Problem,” directed by the renowned Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Derek Tsang. Originally hailing from the UK, Yin's journey has taken him across borders, as he embraced opportunities in both the UK and China to pursue his passion for acting. Earlier this year, Yin made a significant move, relocating to Vancouver to seize fresh opportunities and immerse himself in the vibrant entertainment scene of Hollywood North.

Yin Wang

Guests Appearances

Mae Balen

Lashaan-rene Tonge

Milton Ng

Johnny

Michelle Tiang

Mark Q

Joanna Wong

Joanna Wong is a Vancouver-born queer Producer and Showrunner with a passion for cross-cultural content. She is a producer with Black Rhino Creative and the co-founder of JUGAAD Sisters, an all women of colour owned Canadian production company. Most recently, Joanna was the Showrunner and a Producer on House Special, a Leo-nominated docuseries on Chinese-Canadian family restaurants (A TELUS original now airing on CBC Gem). Currently, she is producing Postcards from Canada, an accessible travel show on AMI, and Not Your Butter Chicken, a new 4-part docuseries starring CBC correspondent Shiva Reddy.

Nicholas Ning

Nicholas Ning is a serial entrepreneur with a background in robotics engineering and business management. He's best known as the founder and CEO of Farpoint, an AI consulting firm helping companies across traditional sectors leverage AI to unlock potential and transform work with an AI-assisted workforce. As a seasoned professional who has worked in a variety of sectors including finance, ag-tech, software/hardware, fashion, and the culinary arts, he brings unique lateral perspectives to problem solving. Over the past decade, Nick has also mentored and coached students at the Beedie School of Business to develop their entrepreneurial mindsets through business case competitions.

Nicholas Ning

Joanna Wong

Executive Decision Makers

Art Birzneck

As an EP, Producer & President of Birch Tree Entertainment, Art has overseen the acquisition, financing, development, production and worldwide distribution of over thirty feature films, primarily Asian action & martial arts films. Art holds a 3rd degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate and has established connections in the martial arts and stunt communities. Recognizing the demand for quality, scripted content by global streaming platforms, Art is focused on developing and producing films with international storylines & cast and working with filmmakers at various stages of production to ensure the commercial viability and distribution of their projects.

Art Birzneck

Patrice Ramsay

Patrice Ramsay is the Senior Manager, Independent Production at British Columbia’s Knowledge Network. Her portfolio includes the pre-licensing of documentary productions and managing Knowledge Network’s annual funding envelope from the Canada Media Fund used to support Knowledge’s primetime and children’s programming schedule. Recent Executive Producer credits include Subterranean, Part of the Pack, Dancing with Mom, Search and Rescue North Shore.

Patrice Ramsay

Janice Chua

Instagram: @lobsterjans

Janice Chua

Brian Hamilton

Brian Hamilton has executive produced more than 60 television projects in both scripted and non-scripted genres, representing over 350 hours of broadcast programming, since he joined Omnifilm in 1994. Brian is responsible for Omnifilm's scripted development/production and has executive produced television series for ABC, BBC, Bell Media, Britbox, CBC, Comedy Network, Corus Entertainment, CTV, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ITV, ProSeiben and Rogers Media. Brian most recently executive produced The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco for Britbox, Netflix, CityTV and ITV. He is the chair and co-founder of the Pacific Screenwriting Program, former Chair of the BC Branch of the Canadian Media Production Association and is a member of CMPA's National Board. He holds a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and received his television training from the Banff Centre for the Arts.

Brian Hamilton

Takashi Cheng

Chief Executive Optimist and Serial Entrepreneur

ChimeTV – First Asian American Network in English Language on Cable Chief Creative Officer charged to develop and showcase the best of Asian entertainment in the English language sharing stories, issues, heritage and cultures that are uniquely of Asian experience and perspective that have never before been seen on screen in English only. GoldenTV – Global Streaming Platform and Content Management Developing an all-in-one marketplace solution for intellectual property and story rights by providing comprehensive tools designed to connect them to members of the entertainment industry to get those stories transacted. Advanced technology enabling matchmaking the story to the ideal director, producer and writer. Investing extensively in building an impactful slate and ecosystem, state of the art cameras, production and post-production equipment along with the commitment to deploy 100m, several Asian American centric projects have already completed with dozens in development and pre-production

Takashi Cheng

Georgia Shearman

Bellmedia

Georgia Shearman is a Development Executive for Bell Media’s Original Programming department in Toronto, Canada. Georgia works with industry writers and partners on the development of new scripted projects for Bell Media’s Original Programming slate. Prior to joining Bell Media, Georgia worked in the TV and film industry in a variety of roles, including as the lead development and production executive for the award-winning production company, Circle Blue Entertainment. She has also done freelance contract work on television, films and commercials, including credits as an associate producer and development consultant. Also, available for in person meetings. Attendees to schedule their own meetings.

Georgia Shearman

Trixie Pacis

ChimeTV - Director of Acquisitions, & Scheduling, Original Programming Development

A Filipina Canadian with over a decade of film industry experience, Trixie is responsible for curating ChimeTV programming that highlights the diverse stories, issues, heritage, and achievements of the AAPI community. Her unique perspective on programming stems from her experience heading Script Development at Drive Films and her background in screenwriting, producing, and brand marketing. RESO has been working with Global Affairs Canada Trade Commissions across Asia and will be organizing and facilitating additional virtual meetings between producers and production companies in the Asia Pacific region to develop alternative co-production models.

Trixie Pacis

Barbara Chirinos

Prior to joining Telefilm Canada as the Regional Lead, National Promotion for the Western Region, parts of Ontario, the NWT and Nunavut, Barbara was the Founder and Co-curator of the Vancouver International Film Festival/Film Centre’s Black History Month Film Series, celebrating its 11th year in 2023. She was the Curating Producer for the Battered Women’s Support Services event: 40 Years Later, featuring Tarana Burke, founder of the #ME TOO Movement at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre and served as Production Manager for the first Feminists Deliver conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Before making Vancouver, her home Barbara was VP of Operations and an Independent Film Producer for Red Carnelian Films and Video and a Theatrical Stage Manager in her hometown of New York, NY.

Dan Burgar

CEO & Co-Founder, Frontier Collective

Dan Burgar is a pioneer and influencer in the technology space within the VR/AR/Metaverse industry. Dan is a Co-Founder at Shape Immersive a leading innovative VR/AR company that builds 3D and NFT marketplace technology for the world's leading brands. Dan focuses on collaborating with companies to help them understand VR/AR and 3D technologies and to develop strategies for companies to roadmap for the future of computing. His mission has been to advance immersive technology as a productive tool that will change the world. Dan is also the President of the Vancouver VR/AR Association, he's led the growth for the VR/AR/Metaverse ecosystem in Vancouver/BC and has been integral to turning the region into a world leading hub (Top 2 Globally) for VR/AR. He promotes technology adoption, incubates early-stage companies, scales VR/AR companies, facilitates international trade, attracts foreign investment and builds communities.

Dan Burgar

Barbara Chirinos

Ella Cooper

ELLA COOPER, founder of Black Women Film! Canada, is an award winning director, producer, multimedia artist, educator and writer born in Montreal and based in Toronto. Her work at Black Women Film has supported over 500 Black women creators across Canada through transformative professional development programs, while her boutique production company, Brown Rabbit Studios, brings together award-winning Black and BIPOC women creators to create incredible video and animated works for tv, arts, lifestyle and children’s content, with an animated series currently in development with Karen Chapman, CBC Kids and Sphere Media.

Tonya Williams

Instagram: @reelworld

Named one of the 100 most influential Black Canadians by Afroglobal Television in 2022, and Playbacks 2021 Changemaker of the year, Tonya Williams is an award winning actress and producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for the last forty-five years in Canada and the USA. She is widely known for her nineteen years starring on the daytime drama The Young & The Restless as Dr. Olivia Winters. She is also well-known as the Founder and Executive Director of the Reelworld Screen Institute, Reelworld Film Festival and Reelworld Foundation. Tonya founded Reelworld in 2000 to address the lack of opportunities, access, and inclusion in Canada for Black, Indigenous, Asian and People of Colour in the screen industries.

Tonya Williams

Ella Cooper

Douglas Lui

Douglas is a Vancouver-based Venture Partner, actively involved in social and sustainability investment projects in Canada, the US, Asia and Europe. Originally from Hong Kong, Douglas has 25+ years of corporate finance and entrepreneurial experience across media, tech, hospitality and banking industries. He held several executive roles in Universal Studios and Universal Music Group based in their LA and New York HQs, responsible for multiple global business units including Europe and Asia. Before returning to Canada, he was a Group Executive in a global luxury hotel chain and a VP in the world’s largest integrated resort based in Hong Kong. Douglas is passionate about impact investment, particularly in POC representation in the media sector. He has recently launched the first Asian-American celebrity-backed beverage. As a VC, he is always sourcing transnational projects with social impact across Canada and Asia.

Thea Loo

Thea Loo is a producer and director from Vancouver BC. Her work has played at Sundance, Palm Springs ShortFest, CAAMFest and distributed on TIFF Digital Bell Lightbox and CBC Gem. In 2022 she co-produced Doug and the Slugs and Me, a feature documentary directed by Teresa Alfeld which closed the DOXA Documentary Film Festival. Thea is working on producing and directing her TV 1 hour documentary “Inay” for the Knowledge Network. She is an alumni of the Reelworld Producers Program, a cohort group focused on developing BIPOC producing talent in Canada.

Thea Loo

Douglas Lui

My Nguyen

@MyHealthDish

My Nguyen is the creator behind @MyHealthyDish on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. My develops recipes for wholesome, satisfying food the entire family will enjoy — and as a mother of two, My knows a thing or two about pleasing picky eaters! Her cooking videos offer tips and time-saving advice, inspiring others to get into the kitchen and get great tasting food on the table.

Ssonia Ong

@Ongsquad

Ssonia Ong is a social media influencer and CEO of Ong Squad Media Inc. She creates wholesome, family-friendly videos on Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube under the handle @Ongsquad. Ssonia filmed her first video in May 2020. Today, she has nearly 13 million followers and has partnerships with brands like Apple, Disney, and McDonald’s. Ssonia's videos offer light-hearted takes on marriage and modern parenting, drawing from her previous careers as a stay-at-home mom and mental health counselor at BC Children's Hospital. She has degrees from Stanford and Harvard University, and lives in Vancouver with her husband Kevin and their five children.

Ssonia Ong

My Nguyen