media release
April 15, 2025
Lloyd Lee Choi is the winner of the 2025 TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award
Lloyd Lee Choi | Photo Credit: Anne Stewart
TORONTO – TIFF is delighted to announce Lloyd Lee Choi as the recipient of this year’s TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award for his screenplay Yakult Ajumma. As part of the award, he will receive a prize of $15,000, support from a script consultant, and access to the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and TIFF Industry Conference. The Korean Canadian writer-director is best known for his short film Same Old, which had its World Premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in the Main Competition and premiered at TIFF ’22 and New York Film Festival. Choi will be celebrated in person this evening at the TIFF Writers’ Studio and CHANEL Women Creators’ Network cocktail event, along with the previously announced 2025 Writers’ Studio cohort.
“Congratulations to Lloyd Lee Choi on this well-deserved recognition,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “This award reflects our partnership with CBC Films in championing original storytellers and providing the resources and recognition they need to thrive. We’re excited to see Yakult Ajumma brought to life, building on a legacy of bold narratives that shine on the world stage.”
Jury statement: “Lloyd Lee Choi’s Yakult Ajumma captivated the jury with its poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and motherhood. Through deeply empathetic storytelling and masterful character work, Choi crafts a narrative that is culturally specific yet universally resonant. The screenplay stood out for its lyrical writing, vivid sense of place, and the nuanced portrayal of working-class heroine, Min-ja, whose journey held us rapt from beginning to end. Yakult Ajumma is a moving and timely story that celebrates the quiet strength and unexpected joy found in everyday lives — a bold contribution to the landscape of Canadian cinema.”
“I am thrilled and grateful to be honoured with the TIFF–CBC Screenwriter’s Award for Yakult Ajumma, a personal film that explores the heroism of working-class women, the complexities of mother–child relationships, and the echoes of regret that shape us,” said Choi. “This support comes at a pivotal moment in the film’s journey, and I’m incredibly thankful for the mentorship and resources that will help bring this story to the screen. I’m especially moved that this recognition comes from TIFF and CBC Films, Canadian institutions who are deeply committed to supporting new, diverse voices and stories.”
Now in its eighth consecutive year, the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award supports Canada’s diverse screenwriting talent and funds the development of high-quality productions that reflect, represent, and reframe a range of perspectives through character-driven stories at the core of the Canadian experience. The award is open to screenwriters who are women, and/or who belong to an equity-deserving community, and/or who identify as having a disability.
“It’s more important than ever to nurture and amplify Canadian voices and storytelling, and working in collaboration with our partners at TIFF, the Screenwriter Award provides a crucial opportunity for emerging writers to strengthen their connections in the industry and further develop their project,” said Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films. “A huge congratulations to Lloyd Lee Choi for winning this year’s prize for his screenplay Yakult Ajumma.”
Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Choi is currently in post-production on Lucky Lu with Hisako Films and Significant Productions. His recent short film, Closing Dynasty, won the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film (Generations) at the 73rd Berlinale, the Audience Award at SXSW, the Grand Jury Prize at AFI Fest, Best US Short at Palm Springs, and Best Short Film at Hawaii International Film Festival, and is currently streaming on Netflix.
This year’s winner was chosen by a jury of screen-industry professionals: Mekhala Chaubal, Legal Counsel at CBC/Radio-Canada, Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films; Jane Kim, TIFF Industry Programming Producer; Barbara Mamabolo, Executive in Charge of Current Production, Drama, CBC; and Kim Nguyen, filmmaker and producer.
This award has been pivotal in advancing the careers of its recipients and bringing compelling Canadian stories to the screen. Notably, Tracey Deer and Meredith Vuchnich won the TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award in 2019 for their screenplay Beans. The film was produced with support from TIFF and CBC Films and premiered at TIFF ‘20, before going on to win multiple awards including the Crystal Bear at the Berlinale in 2021 and Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will run September 4–14, 2025. For more information, visit tiff.net.
“Congratulations to Lloyd Lee Choi on this well-deserved recognition,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “This award reflects our partnership with CBC Films in championing original storytellers and providing the resources and recognition they need to thrive. We’re excited to see Yakult Ajumma brought to life, building on a legacy of bold narratives that shine on the world stage.”
Jury statement: “Lloyd Lee Choi’s Yakult Ajumma captivated the jury with its poignant exploration of identity, resilience, and motherhood. Through deeply empathetic storytelling and masterful character work, Choi crafts a narrative that is culturally specific yet universally resonant. The screenplay stood out for its lyrical writing, vivid sense of place, and the nuanced portrayal of working-class heroine, Min-ja, whose journey held us rapt from beginning to end. Yakult Ajumma is a moving and timely story that celebrates the quiet strength and unexpected joy found in everyday lives — a bold contribution to the landscape of Canadian cinema.”
“I am thrilled and grateful to be honoured with the TIFF–CBC Screenwriter’s Award for Yakult Ajumma, a personal film that explores the heroism of working-class women, the complexities of mother–child relationships, and the echoes of regret that shape us,” said Choi. “This support comes at a pivotal moment in the film’s journey, and I’m incredibly thankful for the mentorship and resources that will help bring this story to the screen. I’m especially moved that this recognition comes from TIFF and CBC Films, Canadian institutions who are deeply committed to supporting new, diverse voices and stories.”
Now in its eighth consecutive year, the TIFF–CBC Films Screenwriter Award supports Canada’s diverse screenwriting talent and funds the development of high-quality productions that reflect, represent, and reframe a range of perspectives through character-driven stories at the core of the Canadian experience. The award is open to screenwriters who are women, and/or who belong to an equity-deserving community, and/or who identify as having a disability.
“It’s more important than ever to nurture and amplify Canadian voices and storytelling, and working in collaboration with our partners at TIFF, the Screenwriter Award provides a crucial opportunity for emerging writers to strengthen their connections in the industry and further develop their project,” said Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films. “A huge congratulations to Lloyd Lee Choi for winning this year’s prize for his screenplay Yakult Ajumma.”
Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, Choi is currently in post-production on Lucky Lu with Hisako Films and Significant Productions. His recent short film, Closing Dynasty, won the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film (Generations) at the 73rd Berlinale, the Audience Award at SXSW, the Grand Jury Prize at AFI Fest, Best US Short at Palm Springs, and Best Short Film at Hawaii International Film Festival, and is currently streaming on Netflix.
This year’s winner was chosen by a jury of screen-industry professionals: Mekhala Chaubal, Legal Counsel at CBC/Radio-Canada, Gosia Kamela, Head of CBC Films; Jane Kim, TIFF Industry Programming Producer; Barbara Mamabolo, Executive in Charge of Current Production, Drama, CBC; and Kim Nguyen, filmmaker and producer.
This award has been pivotal in advancing the careers of its recipients and bringing compelling Canadian stories to the screen. Notably, Tracey Deer and Meredith Vuchnich won the TIFF-CBC Films Screenwriter Award in 2019 for their screenplay Beans. The film was produced with support from TIFF and CBC Films and premiered at TIFF ‘20, before going on to win multiple awards including the Crystal Bear at the Berlinale in 2021 and Best Motion Picture at the Canadian Screen Awards.
The 50th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, presented by Rogers, will run September 4–14, 2025. For more information, visit tiff.net.