STORY films are 10-15 minute shorts from directors, producers and editors in the Norman Jewison Film Program at the Canadian Film Centre. The films are professionally produced in the fall, edited before the New Year, and submitted to the international festival circuit. Recent STORY films have premiered at TIFF, VIFF, CIFF, Fantasia and many more! This is a chance for actors to connect with Canada’s most exciting emerging talent, both on and off screen, and to collaborate with writer/directors on a piece that supports a feature film in development.

Hiromu Yamawaki (He/Him) is a Vancouver-based writer and director from Tottori, Japan. His work focuses on intercultural identity, quiet emotional depth, and bilingual storytelling. His films Okuribi, Counting Days, and Stand In have screened at over 20 international festivals, including Academy Award qualifying festivals, Calgary International Film Festival and Edmonton
International Film Festival. Hiromu studied Film Studies at Carleton University and completed the Film Production program at Vancouver Film School. A 2025 resident of the CFC Directors’ Lab. He is passionate about expanding Asian representation in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera.

Struggling actress Devin can’t squeeze out the tears her director demands – until she bonds with Tom, the overlooked sound guy, after they’re both humiliated on set. Their unlikely backstage alliance leads to an unexpected finale, when Tom’s very real tears induce Devin’s own.