Filipino-Diasporic Communities in Canadian Films: a Conversation with Shasha Nakhai, Martin Edralin and Priscilla Galvez

Maple Popcorn

In this episode, host Marriska Fernandes sits down with three up-and-coming Canadian filmmakers: Shasha Nakhai, Martin Edralin, and Priscilla Galvez. Shasha co-directed and co-produced Scarborough with fellow filmmaker Rich Williamson. The film won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Picture, and Nakhai and Williamson won the award for Best Director, at the 10th Canadian Screen Awards in 2022. The feature drama follows the stories of three children and their surrounding community as their lives collide at a community reading club all while navigating their own personal challenges. Islands is Martin Edralin’s directorial feature debut on which Priscilla Galvez worked on as producer. The feature centres around Joshua, a shy middle-aged Filipino man who takes on the role of caretaker for his father. Join us as we navigate the Filipino-Canadian diaspora represented in contrasting narratives — one on growing up in Scarborough and the other on growing old in Islands - and the importance of diasporic communities’ representation in Canadian film and television.

A podcast hosted by Marriska Fernandes, produced by The Brand is Female and powered by Telefilm Canada.