TORONTO, September 14, 2026 – The Canadian film Whatcha Want premiered at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival on September 12. Writer-director Mina Shum appeared on the red carpet with cast members Isabella Wei, Ming-Na Wen, Helen Dang, Hugh Tran and other members of the creative team. CCTVmedium interviewed several of the filmmakers and cast members at the event.
Whatcha Want is written and directed by Chinese Canadian filmmaker Mina Shum. The film follows Yin, played by Isabella Wei, a woman from Hong Kong living in Vancouver who returns to dance and begins to rethink what she truly wants in life after discovering her husband has betrayed their marriage.
In the film, Yin starts training again with the help of Penny, the owner of a dance studio, played by Helen Dang, and prepares for an important audition. Ming-Na Wen plays Mary Wu, while Hugh Tran plays Yin’s husband, BT.
Set in Vancouver, the film brings together themes of marriage, immigrant life, personal choice and dance, while featuring Asian actors from different generations.
On the red carpet, CCTVmedium interviewed Mina Shum, Isabella Wei, Ming-Na Wen, Helen Dang and Hugh Tran. The filmmakers and cast members shared their thoughts on Whatcha Want from different perspectives, including the director’s creative approach, character development and their experiences taking part in the film.
Wei has a dance background herself and plays Yin as she returns to the world of dance. Dang also has dance experience and plays Penny, who helps Yin rediscover her passion for dance. Wen joins the cast as Mary Wu.
Whatcha Want held its TIFF premiere in Toronto on September 12.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
