Mimi and Panda | JFI Online Shorts: May 2025
Presenting two shorts focused on first cousins, Panda & Mimi, who explore their mixed Jewish-Chinese backgrounds, each in their own
unique way.
Mimi and Panda, 2021, Canada, 5 minutes, English
Watch the films, learn more about Panda and Mimi below, and read an interview with both of the filmmakers:
About the film: First cousins, Panda and Mimi, who are both of Jewish-Chinese backgrounds, and both exactly the same age, decided to have a joint Bat-Mitzvah — in a Chinese restaurant, of course! — where they could honour the traditions of both sides of their families. They decided to create “digital stories” (short multimedia videos, rooted in personal narrative) to show at their event. Working with their cousin, Rani (who runs StoryCentre Canada), they took part in the StoryCentre workshop method to create their videos, where they each explored their mixed-culture identity in different ways, both through their story and their visual treatment.
Panda Shi Berman and Mimi Berman are both now 17 years old, and about to graduate high school. They both study Yiddish with their Baba, Ana Berman, and speak Yiddish at home. Their film has been shown at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival and New York Jewish Film Festival.
Panda (“Yes, I’m Jewish”) will be attending York University Bachelor of Fine Arts Program next year. She speaks English, Mandarin and Yiddish fluently. Her animated short film, “Let in Your Light,” was featured at Toronto Youth Shorts and The Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, 2025.
Mimi (“3 Weeks, 2 Days, 14 Hours, 2 Minutes and Less Than 60 Seconds Apart”) will be starting her Honours Bachelor of Film & Television at Sheridan College next year. She speaks English, French and Yiddish fluently. The short play she directed, Last on Earth, recently won Outstanding Production, and the Adjudicator’s Award, for their region at the National Theatre School of Canada’s DramaFest, 2025.
Panda & Mimi hope that their message will be heard by those who come from similar backgrounds, and for them to know that they are all 100% themselves.
Hi Panda & Mimi! Thanks for taking the time for this interview with JFI. To start, can you tell us how these two intertwined films came to be?
Panda: These films were originally created because our cousin Rani had an idea to help us create shorts for our Bat Mitzvah. We decided on what our stories were going to be and how we wanted it to present our messages. With the great help from our cousin Rani, we were able to create something that we not only presented to our family and friends, but can now share with the world.
What did you learn from making the films?
Panda: From making a film from start to finish gave me a perspective of how much thought goes into the details. It changed the way I saw other films and how each decision was intentional to convey a unique message.
Mimi: I learned from this experience that I wanted to pursue a future in film and work in the industry. It led me to the Film Arts program at Earl Haig Secondary School where I had the opportunity to build connections and develop my voice as filmmaker. It has also pushed me to work hard and build a strong portfolio.
What are you working on now? What’s next!
Panda: Now as I have grown older and have expanded in the field of art, I have found new appreciations and new ways to express them. I continue to make short films, specifically animation. I directed a small team in early 2024 to create a claymation short titled Left in Your Light. I hope that I will continue to have opportunities to take part and to create films and other artworks because it has become a comfort for me to express myself this way.
Mimi: I’m currently co-directing a 10 minute short film for my film class. Balancing school and film has definitely been a challenge, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to worth with such a great team. This fall, I’ll be attending Sheridan College for their film program. I’m excited to take on bigger projects, and begin to establish myself in the industry.
About JFI Online Shorts: JFI Online Shorts features one new short film each month from emerging and established filmmakers. Since 2009, JFI has showcased over 100 online shorts and garnered worldwide views over 2 million on the JFI Youtube channel. Learn more at www.jfi.org.
