JAYU Festival of the Arts: Village Keeper Screening
Village Keeper
Village Keeper follows a family grappling with secrets that uphold domestic abuse and unresolved rage. After life's precarious scale tips her fortune back into poverty, Jean relocates her children with their grandmother to the community housing project where she grew up.
Jean lives in constant fear of everything that could go wrong, going to great lengths to shelter her children, so when a spree of violence comes to her doorstep, she secretly cleans an abandoned crime scene, which unknowingly leads her on a path that exposes generational chains of silence, self-discovery and finally putting herself first.
In Collaboration with CinéFilm
CinèFilm
CinéFilm is a Toronto-based film community bringing filmmakers and film lovers together through a shared love of storytelling, connection, and conversation. They approach film with intention, curiosity, and care, creating spaces to discover bold and meaningful films that explore diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. Through curated screenings, they create opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to engage in thoughtful discussions, extending the film experience beyond the screen and fostering connection in the room. Whether behind the camera or in the audience, there is a place for everyone in their community.
Meet the Filmmakers
Karen Chapman
At the service of every story, award-winning filmmaker Karen Chapman strives to center work that is grounded in storytelling and impact. Chapman holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University and is an alumnus of the Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre’s - Director’s Lab, the Banff Centre for the Arts, Women in the Director’s Chair, and the CaribbeanTales Incubator Pitch Winner, HotDocs Accelerator, The TIFF Talent Lab, TIFF Accelerator and Every Story Accelerator. She is also a recipient of the 2023 Micki Moore Fellowship. Her Canadian Film Centre’s thesis film, Measure, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 and won the International Hollywood Foreign Press and Residency Award at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards as well as the CineFilm’s Best Overall Film, and Best Directing in 2020 at the Women in Film and Television - Toronto Showcase. Chapman’s Quiet Minds Silent Streets premiered at the 2022, Toronto International Film Festival and received the award for best Documentary at the Canadian Film Festival along with winning Best Mental Health, Non-Fiction Film at the Yorkton Film Festival and a Silver Medal at the 2024 Anthem Awards.
Enrique Miguel Baniqued
Enrique’s journey began as an enterprising force at De La Salle University Manila, where he sparked his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. His move to Toronto in 2020 followed a groundbreaking startup venture, where he transformed everyday products for students and corporations, showcasing his innate talent for revolutionizing the ordinary. Embracing the power of storytelling, Baniqued helped produce the Soul Surfer's Podcast, which was successful in spotlighting the environmental battle against a looming coal plant in a serene surf town. Today, Baniqued's creative brilliance shines through collaborations with prestigious Toronto entities such as Destination Toronto, FIFA WORLD CUP, UFC, MLB, NHL, The Michelin Guide, The JUNOS, and CBC's Family Feud Canada. Inspired by the global resonance of South Korean cinema, he strives to replicate that success with stories, aiming to bring bold & fresh entertaining narratives to audiences worldwide. Baniqued's journey exemplifies storytelling's power as a force for change, underscoring his commitment to amplifying global stories. Enrique is also a recipient of the 2025 Academy Executive Residency with Cineplex and TIFF Every Story Accelerator & has an Emerging Producer nomination from the Canadian Media Producers Association. He most recently became the youngest Best Motion Picture Nominee at the Canadian Academy Awards’ Canadian Screen Awards in 2025. Producer Enrique Miguel Baniqued, first met Chapman as a production assistant on her film, Quiet Minds, Silent Streets. Where they found out they were neighbours.
Agenda
- 6:00 pm
Doors Open
Arrive and connect with the community and filmmakers.
- 6:30 pm
Welcome & Introduction
Opening remarks and an introduction to the JAYU Festival of the Arts and this year’s short films.
- 6:40 pm
Film Screening Begins
- 8:40 pm
Panel Discussion
Hear directly from Karen Chapman and Enrique Miguel Baniqued as they discuss their work and creative processes followed by Q&A session.
- 9:00 pm
Event Concludes
FAQs
- What is JAYU?
JAYU is a registered Canadian charity that equips and platforms equity-deserving individuals dedicated to using art for change. Rooted in community and informed by human rights, we deliver transformative arts programs and mentorship for youth across the GTA, as well as education and employment opportunities for emerging arts professionals.
Our work is guided by a shared belief in the power of art to transform lives. With the support of our staff, artists, educators, and Board of Directors, we create safe creative spaces through our iAM programming, showcase opportunities like our annual poetry slams, the JAYU Festival of the Arts and by partnering with organizations across the city to bring arts into community hubs and public spaces.
- What is JAYU Festival of the Arts?
JAYU Festival of the Arts (JFA) is a 7-day celebration of creative expression rooted in human rights and social justice, featuring films, workshops, performances, an exhibition, and an artist market. We believe art can be a tool for change by sharing human rights stories, building empathy, fostering healing and community, and sparking the conversations that help push the world toward a more equitable, loving place.
- How does ticketing work?
As part of JAYU’s commitment to accessibility, we offer different types of ticketing to every event to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the festival.
Free Admission: Creates access to our space and events for those who may not be in a position to give.
Give-What-You-Can: Builds welcoming spaces for everyone to share their stories. This option is for folks that are able to donate and wish to support JAYU Festival of the Arts and our programming.
- What is accessibility like at your venue?
401 Richmond is wheelchair accessible with gender neutral washrooms. Wheelchair entrances are located:
At the front entrance near the Roastery Café (east of Spadina Avenue)
At the north-east corner of the building, near the Spacing and Swipe retail shops (west of the corner of Richmond and Peter Streets).
Paid parking is available within the area. We recommend:
83 Peter Street (underground lot; card and online payment options available; 5 minute walk)
448 Richmond Street West (outdoor lot; physical card required; 2 minute walk)
Thank you to our sponsors and funders!
As a registered charity, JAYU’s work is made possible by the generous support of our funders and partners. We gratefully acknowledge the Government of Canada, through Canadian Heritage’s Canadian Arts Presentation Fund and Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program Events Stream, for supporting the JAYU Festival of the Arts.
We also thank our year-round supporters: TD Bank, Lead iAM Core Sponsor; Ontario Trillium Foundation; Charles H. Ivey Foundation; Canada Life; TELUS Friendly Future Foundation; The Daniels Corporation; Canada Council for the Arts; Sony Canada; and the F.K. Morrow Foundation.
Our year-round operations are supported by Toronto Arts Council, with funding from the City of Toronto, and the Ontario Arts Council.
Thank you to all our supporters for helping JAYU keep art, storytelling, and community at the heart of everything we do.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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