TIFF SPOTLIGHT New HERizons: Asian Women Shaping Film
Presented by TAICCA — A dialogue between Shih-Ching TSOU (Left-Handed Girl) and Chie HAYAKAWA (Renoir), two of the most anticipated Cannes-premiered directors in TIFF’s Centrepiece lineup. In this inspiring conversation, they will share their creative journeys, cultural roots, and experiences in international co-production, spotlighting the voices of Asian female filmmakers shaping the landscape of global cinema.
▵ This panel discussion will be followed a Cocktail Reception.
▵ Admission is open to all Industry Delegates and Accredited Press (with a valid badge).
▵ As capacity is limited, entry will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Panelists
▚ Shih-Ching TSOU — Director, Left-Handed Girl
Shih-Ching Tsou was born in Taipei and lives in New York City. She received her master’s degree in media studies at The New School. She has produced the films Tangerine (15), The Florida Project (17) and Red Rocket (21), and co-directed, with Sean Baker, Take Out (04). Left-Handed Girl (25) is her solo directorial debut.
▚ Chie HAYAKAWA — Director, Renoir
Chie Hayakawa was born in Tokyo, she studied photography at School of Visual Arts in New York. Her short film NIAGARA (2014) was selected at the Cinéfondation in Cannes. She was awarded the Caméra d’Or Special Mention in Cannes with her feature debut PLAN 75, (2022) an expansion of her short film, the opening segment of TEN YEARS JAPAN (2018) executive-produced by Hirokazu Kore-Eda. Her second feature RENOIR was premiered in Cannes competition 2025.
Moderator
▞ Deanna Wong
Deanna Wong (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, which celebrates Asian cinema and culture. She has moderated Q&As and artist talks with such filmmakers as Wayne Wang, Domee Shi and Paul Wong, the recipient of Reel Asian’s 2024 Fire Horse Award. Honoured as a Local Film Hero by Now Magazine in 2021, she brings expertise from her roles at REEL CANADA and on the boards of the Regent Park Film Festival and Dreamwalker Dance Company, and sits on an external committee for the Toronto Outdoor Picture Show. Deanna has also served on film festival and arts council juries.
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More About the Film
▎Left-Handed Girl by Shih-Ching Tsou
Taiwan, France, United States of America, United Kingdom | 2025 | 109m | Mandarin Chinese
Shih-Ching Tsou’s Left-Handed Girl, co-written and produced by her longtime creative partner Sean Baker (Anora, TIFF ’24), is a brilliant solo debut exploring family, tradition, and modernity through a child’s eyes. Vivid visuals and standout performances create a tender, playful portrait of resilience in Taipei.
❐ Screening Schedule
▯ Sept 6 (Sat) 12:00 pm ▹TIFF LIGHTBOX
▮ Sept 8 (Mon) 08:45 am ▹TIFF LIGHTBOX (P&I)
▯ Sept 8 (Mon) 02:45 pm ▹TIFF LIGHTBOX
▎Renoir by Chie Hayakawa
Japan, France, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar | 2025 | 118m | Japanese
In Renoir, Chie Hayakawa (Plan 75, TIFF ’22) captures the delicate transition from childhood to adolescence through the eyes of Fuki, an 11-year-old girl grappling with her father’s terminal illness, portrayed by incredibly talented newcomer Yui Suzuki.
❐ Screening Schedule
▮ Sept 4 (Thu) 09:15 pm ▹Scotiabank Theatre Toronto (P&I)
▯ Sept 6 (Sat) 09:15 pm ▹Scotiabank Theatre Toronto
▯ Sept 11 (Thu) 07:30 pm ▹Scotiabank Theatre Toronto