Heartwarming made-in-Vancouver short premieres at TIFF tonight

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TORONTO (NEWS1130) – Hundreds of movies are screening at the “Toronto International Film Festival” this year, but few have probably heard the heart that “Jimbo” does.

The 25 minute film is the work of Vancouver-based director Ryan Flowers and premieres at TIFF tonight

“Jimbo” profiles Jimmy Leung, a young man whose challenges in life are not enough to dim his dreams of Hollywood stardom.

“I have multiple mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, bipolar [disorder], OCD, anxiety disorder, and Aspberger’s too,” he admits in the film’s trailer.

Leung wants to be an action film star, but the only filmmaker he knows is Flowers.

The Richmond native and SFU grad rose to the challenge, giving voice Jimmy and others like him who are too often ignored.

“A lot of times people don’t really have the time for him or to listen to him,” says Flowers.

“You know, there is a different face to mental illness, one that you dont normally see and I hope that you can give people with mental illness a chance and realize that they are very interesting and have a lot to say,” he adds.

Flowers hopes to complete a feature-length film based on Jimmy’s exploits in the next year or so.

“This film is a bit unconventional, a bit messy, and really idiosyncratic so it’s not everybody’s cup of tea but hopefully there’s some people out there who really like it.”

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