Toronto director Domee Shi's newest project relays back to her upbringing in the 1990s and early 2000s of Toronto and its Chinese community in the downtown core.

Turning Red, made history as the first ever film inspired this community, which Shi said never had its stories and experiences represented on the big screen.

Debuting at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on March 11, Turning Red depicts a 13-year-old Asian Canadian girl named Mei who turns into a giant red panda when she is in high emotions. The film highlights Mei's transformation from childhood to adolescence as she navigates her identity as second generation Chinese Canadian in the downtown core - a perspective inspired by Shi's own upbringing.

"The feeling I wanted to create was just how colourful and diverse and Canadian Toronto is," said Shi. "I'm super proud how in every shot in the movie of the city, of her [Mei] school, even in her friend group, you get to see how beautiful and diverse the city is."

Also, the film is the first female only cast production for Disney Pixar, further cementing its precdent-setting release.

The setting of Turning Red is in 2002, and notable areas around the downtown core’s Chinatown and other landmarks are highlighted throughout its run time.

Classic Toronto features like the TTC streetcar and lanterns suspended above streets are shown throughout Turning Red's runtime. Photo courtesy of TIFF.

Moderator and TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, Shi and the cast spoke about why Toronto was chosen as the backdrop of the film and the need to showcase these type of stories to audiences.

Notable references include TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) streetcars, the areas of Spadina and Dundas streets and using the old name of Skydome instead of the Rogers Centre.

Veternan actress Sandra Oh, who plays Ming, Mei's mother, said the film showed the progress made in the industry for more Asian inclusion - something she has seen first hand in her career.

"Here is a fellow Canadian writer, director, actor that I can help bring her vision," said Oh. "There's also a new generation of actors that I can, help, you know be a fellow actor to, but also to help bring along this very tricky business."

Prior to directing and writing Turning Red, Shi won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2019 for BAO.

Turning Red had its general release set for March 14 in theatres and was made available for Disney + subscribers as well.

Listen to CJRU's coverage of the premiere here: