Welcome
About Film Artists Association of North America (FAANA)
Welcome to FAANA – a beacon of cultural exchange and artistic brilliance in the realm of North American film and television. Our mission: to elevate industry standards, foster ethical norms, and curate a thriving network of opportunities for diverse talents and investment in this dynamic sector. Through our network and platform, FAANA strives to unlock unparalleled creative potential, unveiling hidden talents that enrich and invigorate the industry. Together, we sculpt a future where imagination transcends boundaries, igniting the magic of storytelling in every endeavour.
The Film Festival
About FAANA Short Film Festival (FSFF)
The inaugural FAANA Short Film Festival (FSFF) is a celebration of artistic energy and boundless creativity. Our mission is to foster cultural exchange through curated short film screenings, establishing a vibrant platform that thrives on collaboration and innovation.
United by a shared passion for the cinematic arts, we create an enriching space for exploration and connection. At FSFF, filmmakers, accomplished individuals from diverse backgrounds, film enthusiasts, and audiences from all walks of life converge, connect, and engage in meaningful conversations. Supported by the Film Artists Association of North America (FAANA), the vision of the festival is to spotlight the finest short films from China to the Chinese diaspora and beyond, while unearthing invaluable contributions that a century-old North American film industry offers to the art and business of filmmaking.
Forge connections, kindle collaborations, and nurture new voices and perspectives at FSFF, as we breathe life into the North American filmmaking landscape. Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling and experience cinematic excellence at its finest.
Festival’s co-organizers
Leveraging AI as its technological driving force, the AME Project is established to conduct digital assessments of film and television talents as well as projects. It currently stands as the largest database of film and television talents in China. Through an AI-human collaborative system, the platform provides nearly a million young film and television creators with a one-stop solution for their employment, investment, project production and other needs. The AME Project is the provider of the Mainland Chinese films for the FAANA Film Festival and is also one of the festival’s co-organizers.
Our Members Films
We are a community of filmmakers. Become a Member today!
Watch movies with us!
FSFF Film Circle Screening: Invitation Only
Dates: August 30 & 31, 2023Time: 11am – 2pmVenue: VIFF Theatre
Film Circle Screening, an exclusive gathering meticulously curated for our distinguished guests within Greater Vancouver’s Chinese Community. The event promises an afternoon of cultural exploration and artistic excellence matching your appreciation of the cinematic arts. It’s an appreciation that parallels the remarkable achievements and entrepreneurial spirit you have left on North America’s business and social landscape. In fact, your diverse experiences may find an outlet in film, bringing new opportunities to you while elevating it as both a thriving business and an enduring cultural legacy.
Throughout the curated screenings, you will be taken on a journey. These thought-provoking short films mirror the harmonious integration of cultures, bridging the East and the West with seamless artistry. Post-screening, enjoy an intimate and inspiring salon-styled discussion with local experts fostering deeper connections and social engagement within our Film Circle community. Here, culture, tradition, and industry come together to uncover opportunities amid the vibrancy of North America’s flourishing film industry. We eagerly await your attendance at the highly-anticipated Film Circle Screening and session.
Public Event
Dates: August 30 & 31, 2023Time: 2:30pm – 4pmVenue: VIFF Theatre
Embark on a mesmerizing journey into the realm of cultural and artistic impacts at FSFF public screening. Short films, because of their brevity, wield immense power in narrating stories that encompass a myriad of themes. From reality to fantasy, from culture to adventure, get prepared to be intrigued, moved and inspired as we delve into the captivating world of short films, where each frame unfolds a universe of emotions and ideas, igniting your imagination and contemplation. Join us for an unforgettable cinematic adventure at the FSFF public screening – a celebration of storytelling’s boundless magic.
TEAM
Meet the amazing Board of Directors behind the Association.
Sasha Pu
FAANA founder Shasha graduated from the prestigious Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, China. Sasha founded the well-known Pony Children’s Theatre and serves on the Beijing Television Artists Association (BTAA) as well as the Actors Committee of Chinese Federation of Radio and Television Associations.
As a prominent screen and stage actor, she has performed in over a dozen television series as well as stage plays to live audience. Her love for the stage and its impact to children prompted her to establish Pony Children Theatre in China, pioneering art and performing education for children and youth, winning her widespread recognition as a trailblazer in China. Since relocating her family to Canada, she co-founded a media company and executive produced a number of projects, whilst founding FAANA to focus on cultural exchange, bilateral film and TV distributions as well as producing and financing in this space.
Liam Greenlaw
Serving as FAANA’s Creative Director, Liam Greenlaw is an accomplished creative director, filmmaker, and skilled art director and copywriter with extensive experience in creative development for film, TV, and advertising .
With over 20 years of experience working across four countries, Liam has a proven track record in growing online audiences through strategic creative and engaging content.
Liam’s notable achievements include collaborating as a Creative Director for International brands such as Levi’s Strauss, Edwin Jeans, Toronto international Film Festival, Kodak Rock n Roll Photography Exhibition, Adidas, Nike, Coin Payments, Alliance Atlantis films, City TV, Global television, Molson Coors, BMW, Nissan and Sutton Place Hotels.
He significantly increased Vancouver’s Wasserman + Partners’ Advertising’s digital and creative profile, winning numerous marketing and digital awards, including Vancouver’s first-ever social media award for Vancity’s Cash Mob while winning British Columbia Marketer of the year for the Vancity brand. Forbes magazine also listed Wasserman + Partners as one of the top 100 agencies globally that truly understand social media. As well as maintaining 10 year + relationships with top tier brands in British Columbia including ICBC, WorkSafe BC, Preventable, Encorp Recycling, London Drugs , Pacific Blue Cross, Granville Island Beer and Vancity Credit Union.
Throughout his career, Liam has produced, developed storylines, art directed, and photographed over 200 photo and fashion shoots. As an independent, he pitched and won the Toronto Blue Jays account, creating four television spots and viral content, including in-stadium entertainment featuring Slash, the Trailer Park Boys, and the Toronto Blue Jays roster.
Liam has written and directed over 200 broadcast television spots, demonstrating exceptional storytelling skills. He created Pavement Patty, a 2D anamorphic illusion that gained global attention, resulting in his client being featured as the top story on CNN, MSNBC, and BBC World, and picked up by The Doctors, Fox Science, National Geographic’s Brain Games, and included in Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
As the Creative Director for Fashion Magazine for three years, Liam produced monthly and online publications, increasing newsstand sales by 36%. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Applied Arts, Marketing Awards, Bessies, Communication Arts, and the New York Festival. He has been nominated twice for Emmy awards for title design, awards for Graphic Design, Environmental Design and a Guinness World Record for an advertising activation. Liam has also twice won the Toronto International Film Festival’s Street Art competition and has judged numerous advertising award shows, the Juno Awards, and the Ford Supermodel Competition.
Liam is imaginative, dedicated, and always ready for new challenges within film, advertising and content creation.
Robyn Ross
Serving as FAANA’s director and as the Lead for Community Development & Liaison, Robyn Ross’ acting career started four decades ago with a Disney film, and she has been honing her acting skills ever since.
Nominated for three Leo Awards and a Best Actress in a Cable Series/Youth In Film Award for her lead role on Nickelodeon’s “Fifteen” with Ryan Reynolds, other selected credits include; recurring roles in the acclaimed series “Riverdale” and “The L Word”, appearances on the Farrelly brothers’s TV show “Loudermilk”, NBC’s Law & Order, ABC’s A Million Little Things, the Oscar-nominated, “Juno” (director Jason Reitman), “Lucky Seven”, with Patrick Dempsey, “I Want to Marry Ryan Banks” with Bradley Cooper and Jason Priestly, Cedar Cove with Andie MacDowell and her lead roles in feature films, “Suck It Up Buttercup” and Gregoire. Robyn is recognized in the voice-over world, with lead roles including ‘Roll’ from the “Megaman” cartoon series and ‘Stacey Forsythe’ in Capcom’s top-rated “Dead Rising” video game franchise. She trained in New York City with the venerable Michael Howard and Michael Shurtleff. With an unwavering love for acting, Robyn continues to be inspired by coaching and teaching others her craft in NYC, LA, Vancouver and Europe, where she finds constant inspiration through the eyes of the actors she mentors. Robyn feels honoured to be part of such an innovative team of artists at FAANA who strive to assist the development of the careers of creatives, bringing more arts & culture to this beautiful city of Vancouver.
Steph Song
Steph was Executive Producer on Season 3 of “Blood and Water” for Omni Channel Canada and Rogers. She wore two hats, also playing the female lead- as she had done on the first 2 Seasons. The show has been nominated twice for Best Dramatic Series at the Canadian Screen Awards, in 2017 and 2019.
She now has multiple projects on her desk, taking what she has learnt in front of the camera into the realm of creative development.
As an actor she has been nominated for Best Leading Actress 4 times and Best Supporting Actress twice in Canadian Film Awards. She has worked with Jet Li, Jason Statham, Lucy Liu, Emma Stone, Kelly Hu and Talia Shire.
Canada’s number one-selling magazine, Chatelain, called her “The New Face of Canadian Film”. She has been listed in the “Top Ten People to Watch Out For” by Playback Magazine. She is committed to bringing quality stories to the screen.
Harman Li
FAANA director Harman Li is a renowned educator, entrepreneur and investor in Canada. Graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Harman has invested in various successful projects in Vancouver, Canada.
With an acquisition of a post-secondary institution in 2017, Harman has actively engaged in the Canadian international education industry with extraordinary relationships in education agencies and institutions. Having been living in Canada for more than two decades, Harman has established a strong network of successful local Canadian entrepreneurs who contributes to charities and non-profits organizations.
Naomi Zhao
FAANA director Naomi Zhao is the VP of Product Development, Glacier Media and Vice President for Eastward Media. Naomi is a seasoned media veteran with 18 years of experience in media and advertising. With over a decade spent at leading 4A advertising agencies in Asia, she joined Glacier Media Group upon relocating to Vancouver.
In 2016, Naomi founded Eastward Media, an advertising agency dedicated to assisting brands in reaching local multicultural markets. Over the past eight years, Eastward Media has provided services to brands ranging from international giants like LVMH Group, Estee Lauder Group, General Motors, BMW, to local brands such as Save-On-Foods, TJX, and various local government entities. She holds an MBA from UBC Sauder School of Business and undergraduate degrees in Advertising Management and Economics & Finance from Shanghai University. Naomi also serves as the chair of the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada on the West Coast.
Yipeng Ben Lu
Co-Founder and board director – Yipeng Ben Lu, a China native who now calls Canada home, is a multiple award-winning television commercial producer and director, as well as a scripted dramatic content producer. His latest 4-season prime time TV drama series BLOOD AND WATER was nominated and won a number of prestigious awards including the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Dramatic Series, to name a few.
BLOOD AND WATER has also garnered applauds from some of the top reviewers in the country such as John Doyle from The Globe and Mail, CBC National, and has launched a number of noteworthy North American Asian actors including Simu Liu and Selena Lee. Through EPE, Ben has executive produced Bisping The Loneliest Whale, Ms Purple, Bisping, A Mouthful of Air and The Informer, as well as All The Lost Ones. He also plays an active role in content financing such as games with studios backed by iconic names such as The Iron Maiden. Ben speaks native Mandarin & Cantonese and is the co-founder of a nation-wide anti-racism campaign #HealthNotHate. He also advised Zee Studios International, the English production arm of India’s largest broadcaster and entertainment company, as well as Centre for Entertainment Arts.
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Sponsorships
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Best regards!
- The Team.