Celebrating 20 Years
This year, MAMM is celebrating its 20th year, and is giving over $10,000 cash awards and $50,000 in-kind awards!

MAMM is VAFF’s annual short filmmaking competition, celebrating its 20th year. Its goal is to foster emerging Asian and mixed Asian filmmakers by offering them both an educational experience as well as an opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience and potential distributors. Over 180 MAMM films have been made through this competition, giving many emerging filmmakers their first “calling card” film and mid-level filmmakers an opportunity to build their filmography. Many of these films have gone on to be screened at premiere festivals around the world and have won many awards. VAFF is very proud of its many MAMMers who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the entertainment and media industry, and the community that MAMM has built. We look forward to incubating, nurturing, and celebrating many more talented creators. Choose the Genre. Pitch the Story. Make the Film.

Each year between May and August, the 8 best teams in the 10 Minute Shorts category are selected from video pitch submissions, and the 8 best teams in the 1 Minute Ultra Shorts category are chosen from written pitch submissions to become the MAMM Finalists of the year. The teams then enter a masterclass-level MAMMentorship that includes group workshops and 1-on-1 mentorship. The competition involves the challenge of completing your film in 10 days, after which all finished films are screened at the Gala Screening and adjudicated for filmmaking awards and prizes.

NEW MAMM Vertical Series
As Vertical Shorts are rapidly gaining traction globally, VAFF is aspiring to elevate this format and launching a third category in its competition - MAMM Vertical Series! 3 teams will be selected to make micro-episodes with a total runtime of 8 minutes. Their completed Vertical Series will be judged online and the winner will be announced and screened at the Gala Screening.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes & Awards:

Cash prizes and industry in-kind prizes will be awarded for the following adjudicated categories for both 10 Minute Shorts and 1 Minute Ultra Shorts categories.

- Best Film Award
- Best Director Award
- Best Performance Award
- Best Screenwriting Award
- Best Cinematography Award
- Best First Time Director Award

In-kind prizes are given to the audience-voted People’s Choice Award winners.

- The People’s Choice Award: Best Short
- The People’s Choice Award: Best Ultra Short
- The People’s Choice Award: Best Performance for Short
- The People’s Choice Award: Best Performance for Ultra Short
- $1,000 cash for the winner of the inaugural Innovation in Storytelling Award.
- Cash prizes for the winner of the inaugural Best Vertical Series Award.

All winners will be announced and awarded at the MAMM Gala Screening & Awards Presentation event on August 30th, 2025.

All winning films will become an Official Selection and be showcased at the 29th Annual Vancouver Asian Film Festival, November 6 - 16, 2025.

Perks & Promotions:

- There is a $1,000 Cash Production Subsidy for 10 Minute Shorts, $150 for 1 Minute Ultra Shorts, and $1000 for Vertical Series. Conditions apply.
- In-kind sponsorship support is available to all teams towards production in British Columbia. The sponsor list will be announced during the MAMMentorship weekend. Sponsorship outside of BC will be a case by case situation.
- VAFF may assist in the distribution of the winning shorts through VAFF media partners upon agreement with filmmakers.
- VAFF may contact Team Leaders to arrange behind-the-scenes (BTS) filming during their production period.
- VAFF will provide digital and print promotion for the competing teams.
The Best Ultra Short Film in collaboration with E8 will be showcased on E8’s social media platforms.

NEW The Innovation in Storytelling Award
Founded by Leon Ng
This award recognizes emerging filmmakers who are reimagining how stories are told by embracing new formats, technologies, or creative approaches. With a $1,000 award for one standout innovative filmmaker across all categories, Leon Ng aims to champion a new generation of storytellers—encouraging bold vision, creative risk-taking, and a fearless reimagining of the future of film.

Rules & Terms

Registrations are accepted from individuals in all provinces & territories in Canada.

All key creative team members (e.g. Team Leader, Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer) and at least one (1) Lead Actor must be a Canadian or Permanent Resident at the time of application and competition. Special exemptions may be granted, so please talk to MAMM Producers.

Of the key creative members, at least one must self-identify as being Asian or of part-Asian heritage. Any team that does not have at least one key creative member of Asian/mixed Asian heritage, is disqualified.

At least one (1) lead actor appearing in the final submitted film must be of Asian/part Asian heritage. Any submitted film that does not have at least one lead actor of Asian heritage/part Asian heritage is disqualified.

Members of VAFF’s leadership, including Board of Directors, Board of Advisors, Executives, and Committee Directors are not eligible to be a key creative member. MAMM producing, operational, and administrative teams are not eligible to participate, but VAFF Committee members and volunteers are eligible to participate fully.

Past winners in the Best Director, Best Screenwriter, and Best Short or Best Ultra Short are not eligible to compete in those positions anymore. They are allowed to join teams to compete but are not eligible to be in the Key Creative Team.

The submission, script, and finished film cannot be part of an existing series (TV or online) or film project. Any film found not to be created originally for MAMM will be disqualified and will not be screened.

Only narrative films will be accepted.

Anyone with accessibility needs should contact MAMM organizers to best accommodate and support their needs in compliance to VAFF’s mission of inclusivity.

By submitting, you are deemed to have considered and read, and are accordingly subject to, the below Rules & Regulations.

Submitted films must not contain subject matter that contravenes the Criminal Code of Canada, such as explicit sexual or hate content.