FIRSTLOOK: GEN-Z SHORT FILM “EXPRESS” BEGINS FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
Mr. Will Wong · Mr.WillWong.com · Posted: July 06, 2023.
Ivan D. Ossa of Kine Ukiyo Ma and Malachi Ellis of Malachi Ellis Productions are pleased to announce that their short film, the slice-of-Gen Z-life drama, Express, has finished post-production and is ready to begin the festival circuit. Express is written and directed by Ossa (In Other News, It’s You) and stars Joshua Obra (Scarborough), Martin Marticorena, Rebecca Ablack (Luckiest Girl Alive, Ginny & Georgia, The Good Karma Hospital) and Isaiah Peck (Sneakerella, Brother, The Next Step).
Express is produced by Malachi Ellis (Streams Flow From a River, Fish Boy, Diaspora, I Live Here), co-produced by Lauren Saarimaki (Streams Flow From a River, Queen Tut, Only Light Will Touch Us) and executive produced by Ivan D. Ossa.
Tarik (Joshua Obra) is the poster boy for the Gen Z work ethic. When he is coerced out of his success-oriented schedule to celebrate what seems to be a lifetime achievement, he is confronted by one of life’s ironies.
“We live in a world where your occupation is so intertwined with your identity that after you give your name, the next question asked is, “What do you do?”. When asked what you’ve been up to, most people instinctively talk about work. With social media shoving hustle culture and people’s life highlights down our throats, It’s no wonder my generation has become obsessed with the idea of early material success. “To live your life, you must first build it.” Sadly, I’m also a victim of this mentality. I have this innate feeling that tells me we’re put on this earth to experience connections, but I can’t seem to shake off my aspirations. I’m the type to turn down a night out because I told myself I have to finish a project. I struggle with balancing living my life and building a better one. I know I’m not the only one. I told myself that I’m working hard now to rest later, but since when is your time on earth promised? How do I know today isn’t my last? Isn’t life itself the whole point? Why am I sacrificing experiencing my life for the sake of a future that isn’t Guaranteed? These questions gave birth to this script,” said Ivan D. Ossa.
Cinematography by Brandon Kenney (In Other News, It’s You), production design and costume design by Rebecca Fadoju (In Other News, It’s You, Kashif) and editing by Jadon J.B. Williams.
Express was produced with the participation of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the National Film Board of Canada – Filmmaker Assistance Program and the OYA Black Arts Coalition.
ABOUT IVAN D. OSSA
Ivan D. Ossa is an award-winning director, writer and actor based in Toronto, Ontario. Adapting his father’s love for motion pictures, it wasn’t long before Ivan decided to learn about filmmaking. Post academics, Ivan became the protégé of prolific music video director Julien Christian Lutz PKA Director X. He most recently worked as a showrunner assistant on Director X’s new TV drama Robyn Hood. Ivan’s written, directed, and executive-produced short films that have received recognition from various domestic and international film festivals; In Other News (Standout Producer In A Short Film Award at the 2021 Reelworld Film Festival, Best Student Director (Male) at the Independent Shorts Silver Awards), It’s You (Award of Excellence at the One-Reeler Short Film Competition, Best Romantic Short at the Independent Shorts Bronze Awards).Throughout his career, Ivan aims to continue writing and depicting humanity. He wants to make thought-provoking films that encourage empathy, brings about peace and instills hopefulness and love in viewers. He is a storyteller who has been lucky enough to find film as a medium to achieve these artistic, professional and personal goals.
ABOUT MALACHI ELLIS
Malachi Ellis is a Black Gay Producer based in Toronto. He is an alumnus of TMU’s Media Production & OYA Media Group’s Emerging Filmmakers. Post academics, Malachi has focused on telling diverse and authentic stories that challenge the status quo and amplify BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices. His producing skills have led him to work at some of the largest Canadian production companies, such as eOne and Bell Media. As an independent producer, he has worked with some of Canada’s most talented emerging writers/directors. His most recent producing credits include I Live Here (Aspen Shortsfest, CBC Gem), Diaspora (TIFF, Palm Springs International ShortFest), and FISH BOY (BFI Flare, Frameline47). Malachi is currently a participant in both the Reelworld Producers’ Program and the Canadian Film Centre’s Norman Jewison Film Program: Producers’ Lab. In 2021, Malachi participated in Kidscreen’s The Next Wave: Diverse Voices program and was named one of Playback Magazine’s 10 to Watch.
ABOUT LAUREN SAARIMAKI
Lauren Saarimaki (she/they) is a producer, actress and mental health advocate. She is an alumna of TMU’s Creative Industries program. She has contributed to film sets in roles such as production manager, location manager and production coordinator. However, her focus is producing. She co-produced Streams Flow From A River (dir. Christopher Yip). The series had its international premiere at 2023 Cannesseries. She also co-produced the feature film Queen Tut (dir. Reem Morsi). She held the role of Executive Director at the Future of Film Showcase in 2018. In 2023, she was the festival coordinator for the Get Reel Mental Health Film Festival. She currently works at Fae Pictures as Director of Operations. She hopes to continue to build a career in film and mental health advocacy by focusing her work in the not- for-profit sector and explore the relationship between art and healing