Toronto Reel Asian turns 30: films, free family fun and stories of belonging

Toronto’s Reel Asian festival turns 30 this November, bringing stories of family, friendship and belonging to cinemas across the city. For newcomers looking for a cultural night out or a free family afternoon, the anniversary programme offers several inviting ways in.

The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival runs in person from 11 to 21 November 2026, with an online programme from 16 to 29 November. Alongside feature films and shorts, there are conversations with filmmakers, virtual-reality experiences and a children’s programme celebrating its own tenth birthday.

Reel Asian audiences at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 12 November 2023. Archive photograph by Fuzheado, CC BY 4.0. Cropped for display.

Family stories and a Toronto summer

The opening film, Ba’s Book, starts with something deeply personal: a father’s memoir. Director Ashley Duong follows her family’s history across Vietnam, Iran and Canada, using a return to Vietnam and family re-enactments to explore how those memories are passed between generations. The opening gala takes place at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema on 11 November at 7.30pm.

Another route into the programme is Sunburn, the centrepiece presentation on 15 November at TIFF Lightbox. Serville Poblete’s film follows best friends Vince and Shay through a summer day in Toronto’s St. James Town. The festival’s programme announcement introduces both films, along with the wider anniversary selection.

A free day for younger film fans

Wee Asian takes over Innis Town Hall on 21 November with relaxed screenings, storytelling, arts and crafts, and room to play or rest. The screenings begin at 10am and 2.30pm; drop-in arts activities run from 11am to 3pm. It is free, with no tickets needed.

The short-film selection travels between Canada, India and Japan. In Nanu!, a grandfather’s online order becomes the starting point for a family comedy; in I Fly When No One’s Watching, a girl’s journey home takes a magical turn. It is an appealing way to share films from different places without committing the whole family to a long cinema session.

Meet the people behind the screen

For students, emerging creatives and anyone curious about filmmaking, Reel Ideas opens up the working side of the festival. Ashley Duong discusses Ba’s Book on 12 November at 2pm. Later sessions explore vertical video on 16 November, disability inclusion on 17 November, and building a career in cinematography on 18 November.

Regular Reel Ideas sessions are free drop-in events. They give the festival another dimension: a chance to hear how stories are made, not simply watch the finished film.

A Backstory podcast event at Reel Asian, 12 November 2023. Archive photograph by Fuzheado, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped for display.

Choose your festival visit

The official box office lists regular TIFF Lightbox feature and shorts screenings at C$18, and the opening gala with afterparty at C$35. Free ticketed screenings at Innis Town Hall run from 17 to 19 November, offering another affordable way to join in.

Watching from elsewhere in Canada? The digital festival pass is C$50 and the online Wee Asian pass is free. The digital programme is available in Canada, with some titles limited to Ontario. Film pages bring together the screening options, languages and access information, making it easy to build an evening or a family day around the stories that interest you.