Canadian director Justin Wu on how Toronto shaped him as a filmmaker

Before Canadian director Justin Wu began working in film and television, he was telling stories one frame at a time.

Always tapping into his creative side, Wu began his career in photography, shooting for notable publications including Vogue and Elle. As he built a name for himself in the industry, he expanded into music videos, commercials, short films and eventually film and television.

Kim’s Convenience, CBC’s Run the Burbs, and Children Ruin Everything are just a few of the recognizable Canadian series among Wu’s directing credits.

He also directed his first studio feature, Sidelined: The QB and Me, starring Noah Beck, Siena Agudong, and the late James Van Der Beek. The film reached No. 1 on Tubi in Canada and the U.S. following its debut in 2024.

According to Tubi, the movie drew the biggest number of viewers of any title on its platform in its first seven days.

However, through all of his success, Toronto remains deeply connected to his journey. From his early days of shooting around Queen Street West to discovering world-class cinema through TIFF, Wu tells Curiocity that the city helped shape both his career and his approach to filmmaking.

A chat with Canadian director Justin Wu

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Toronto and the community that shaped him

Karen Doradea: Toronto has become one of North America’s biggest production hubs. From your perspective, what makes the city’s film community stand out?

Justin Wu: Toronto has this incredible ability to punch above its weight. We have world-class crews, diverse talent, and an independent spirit that makes people incredibly resourceful.

There’s a generosity within the community too. I’ve found that many in the film community genuinely want to see each other succeed, and that collaborative energy is something I never take for granted.

Doradea: When you think back to the start of your career, are there any places in Toronto that feel significant to your journey?

Wu: Queen Street West will always feel like home creatively. I spent countless hours there shooting editorials, meeting collaborators over coffee, and dreaming about the career I hoped to build.

TIFF is, of course, another special place. It’s where I first fell in love with the idea that world-class cinema could happen in my own city!

Photography to filmmaking

Doradea: Can you take me back to the beginning? How did you first get into filmmaking?

Wu: I actually came to filmmaking through photography. I spent years telling stories through a single frame for magazines like Vogue and Elle, but eventually I became fascinated by what happened before and after the shutter clicked.

Film let me combine everything I loved – the visuals, performance, music, emotion, and storytelling into one medium! It was always the destination, but it took many classic steps, moving from commercial photography to music videos, commercial videos, TV commercials, and short films, to eventually get to directing film and TV.

Doradea: For those discovering your work, how would you describe yourself as a filmmaker?

Wu: I’m drawn to stories that are entertaining first, but leave audiences feeling a little more hopeful than when they sat down.

Whether it’s a comedy, romance, or genre piece, I’m always looking for the humanity beneath the spectacle and characters people genuinely want to spend time with.

Doradea: How has your approach to directing evolved since your earliest projects?

Wu: Early on, I thought directing meant having all the answers. Now I think it’s about asking the right questions and creating an environment where great collaborators can do their best work.

I’ve become less interested in controlling every detail and more interested in elevating the collective vision.

Creating space for the next generation

Doradea: What’s been the proudest moment of your career so far?

Wu: Oddly enough, it isn’t any one award or milestone. It’s hearing from young filmmakers, especially those from underrepresented communities, who tell me they’ve started believing there’s a place for them in this industry because they’ve seen my journey.

That’s something I’ll always value and something that motivates me to continue uplifting others and finding new opportunities for them.

Wu has since launched Behind the Action, a social series offering practical advice and industry insight to the next generation of filmmakers and crew members.

Looking toward the future

Doradea: Is there a dream project you’ve always wanted to make? Are there any genres you’d love to tackle next?

Wu: I’d love to direct a big, emotionally rich sci-fi film. Something with the optimism and humanity of Star Trek, but grounded in deeply personal characters.

I’ve always believed the best genre stories aren’t really about spaceships or spectacle. They’re about us.

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Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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