Natalie Murao is a yonsei (fourth generation) Japanese Canadian filmmaker and educator. Her work often explores themes of identity and generational disconnect through the forms of lonely spaces and ghostly beings. She aims to expand the notion of Asian diasporic cinema by creating an in-betweenness of styles that embody the diaspora itself.
She received a BFA in Film Production from Simon Fraser University. Her graduating film, FLOATING LIGHT (2017), won the ShortWork Student Award at Whistler Film Festival. Her follow-up film, NO MORE PARTIES (2020), played at festivals such as Sundance, TIFF Next Wave, and Palm Springs Shortfest. It was exhibited online through the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox. Her latest film and first documentary, BLUE GARDEN (2022), was selected for Telefilm Canada's Not Short on Talent program at Clermont-Ferrand and is now available to watch on CBC Gem.
Natalie has received mentorship through Sundance Ignite, VIFF Catalyst, and Experimental Forest Films. In tandem with filmmaking, she has worked in the programming and education departments for local institutes such as VIFF and The Cinematheque.
Thea Loo is a producer and director from Vancouver, BC. Her work has played at Sundance, Palm Springs ShortFest, CAAMFest and distributed on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox.
She has produced multiple short films such as SMOKE EATER (Dir. Gloria Mercer, 2022), which premiered at the Whistler Film Festival and is available on CRAVE. Her latest short is the hybrid animated documentary BLUE GARDEN (Dir. Natalie Murao, 2022), which was selected for Telefilm Canada's Not Short on Talent program at Clermont-Ferrand and is streaming on CBC Gem. She has also associate and co-produced two documentary features.
Loo is an alum of the Reelworld Producers Program, a cohort focused on developing BIPOC producing talent in Canada. As an educator, Loo has been on multiple panels as a guest speaker sharing her producing journey such as at the Banff World Media Festival, VIFF Catalyst Mentorship Program, and EXNW. Currently, Loo has two TV series projects and one narrative feature in development and recently participated in the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival’s Series Accelerator.
Her debut TV 1-hour documentary, INAY (MAMA), which she directed and produced for the Knowledge Network, will premiere Fall 2024.