Calvin Liu
Calvin Liu is a Chinese-Canadian documentary filmmaker and cinematographer based in Montreal. Born in Canada to Chinese parents, Calvin's upbringing was deeply influenced by his dual heritage, inspiring him to explore the Chinese diaspora in Canada through his work.
Recipient of the Jean-François Bourassa Award for Outstanding Cinematography (2023), winner of the Spark Project at the Nanlite International Competition (2023) and recipient of the Canadian Society of Cinematographers award for Best Cinematography (2025) at the Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival for his short film Motel Grand Pré.
His artistic practice has been introspective, exploring the theme of his family, origin, and memories.
The Project - "洋洋" (Yang Yang)
After being hidden by his uncle and his aunt at 4 years old from his family in China, his own mother had to kidnap him back to return to Canada. A director collects firsthand accounts from various family members. This quest for the truth leads him to confront his past and reconnect with his estranged and mysterious uncle and aunt, whom he hasn’t seen for 20 years.