Film 
The interview took place between Steven Fan and Casey Wei, Short Forum Programmer for VIFF. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Casey: Hi, Steven.
Steven: Hi, Casey. I am a correspondent for CJSF. I believe you’re in charge of the Shorts process for VIFF. I really enjoy the shorts; watched one about the men bathing in a sauna.
A documentary about Japanese-Canadian life by Mads K. Baekkevold ft. Hidekazu Tojo
Close to You is a film about transgender adulthood, about the hometown you’ve grown out of, and about the people that grew up without you. Co-writers Elliott Page and Dominic Savage share a heart-wrenchingly honest and personal story following Sam, a trans man who returns to his childhood home for the first time in five years. I was struck by how Close to You tells a queer story that is familiar but less heard. The film explores the experience of having a family that is accepting but doesn’t quite understand, one that is still learning and going to make mistakes.
Parallel Mothers is a Spanish-language drama by famed writer-director Pedro Almodóvar, who continues his streak of engaging female leads with his frequent collaborator, Penelope Cruz. Cruz shines as a single mother named Janis. While sharing a hospital room with another unexpectedly single mother, Ana, played by Milena Smit, the two women share a connection that would have lasting consequences for years to come.
Jan Miller Corran’s film, Along Came Wanda, is about Mary Beth and Wanda, two women with distinctly different personalities. Mary Beth is shown to have more of a feminine side, while Wanda acts more like a tomboy. Considering most romantic comedies that feature hetero-normative relationships, and often fall victim to patriarichal values, it was refreshing to watch a movie that depicts the relationship of two strong female leads, breaking with convention.
Salt in My Soul documents the life of Mallory Smith, who is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age three. Throughout her 25 years of life, Mallory journaled every step of her experience with cystic fibrosis, right up until her last breath, resulting in the memoir on which this documentary is based.
Contributor Erika Assabayeva reviews Gregory Rocco's 2018 film, Stretch Marks.