AI Artist Luca Ferrano to Make Soundtrack Debut in Quentin Lee’s ‘The Way You Dance’ (EXCLUSIVE)

In a cinematic first, the independent movie "The Way You Dance" will include a track performed entirely by an AI-generated artist. The song, titled "Hope Stays High," is credited to the digital persona Luca Ferrano, a creation of Hong Kong-based producer Evan Steer, who works under the alias Stonedog. Vancouver's 604 Records has secured the exclusive publishing rights for the film's music. The label itself has a notable history, having been co-founded twenty years ago by Nickelback's lead singer Chad Kroeger and entertainment lawyer Jonathan Simkin.

The film is a dance-driven dramedy centered on a professional dancer who returns to his family home to care for his distant father. His life finds new direction when he begins coaching a community dance class, where he forms a bond with a transgender teen navigating her own path to self-acceptance. This project serves as the feature film debut for actor Kyle Toy, who leads a cast that includes Tzi Ma—a veteran actor recognized for his roles in live-action "Mulan" and "The Farewell"—alongside Josette Jorge, Roshan Gopalasamy, and Harrison Xu.

Stonedog has provided five original compositions for the soundtrack, working with drag artist Cleo Moans and additional AI performers from his digital collective. This blending of human and artificial creativity is being watched closely by industry observers. Dr. Anya Sharma, a media analyst, noted, "This soundtrack represents a pivotal shift, as it normalizes the presence of AI-generated artists alongside human talent, potentially reshaping royalty structures and creative ownership." In a related artistic move, director Quentin Lee is also releasing his debut single, "Can't Stop My Dream," as part of the film's promotional campaign.

The production brings together Canadian Screen Award-winning producers Cindy Au Yeung and Quentin Lee of BC’s Margin Films Ltd. and PGA members Alan Chu and Kevin Huie. Executive producers Jennifer Price and Colette Johnson-Vosberg complete the leadership team, with filming currently underway across British Columbia.

Jonathan Simkin, CEO of 604 Records, voiced strong support for the collaboration, emphasizing the alignment of values between the companies. He stated, "Quentin Lee and Margin Films have a proven track record of producing daring, inclusive cinema that amplifies 2SLGBTQAI+ and BIPOC voices, so we were eager to join this project and help its music reach a global audience." 604 Records, which helped launch the careers of pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen and rock band Marianas Trench, also operates several niche sub-labels focused on indie-pop, comedy, and digital collectibles.

For director Quentin Lee, the project is both a homecoming and the continuation of a long-standing creative partnership. He reflected, "Partnering with another leading BC company on my first feature filmed here is incredibly meaningful. Stonedog (Evan Steer) and I both found our artistic footing in Hong Kong’s vibrant early-2000s queer club scene, and we've been collaborating since 2015." Lee’s production banner, Margin Films Ltd.—recently honored with a 2024 Canadian Screen Award for "Comedy Invasion"—also produced the acclaimed all-Indigenous documentary "Rez Comedy." Its sister company, Margin Films, was established by Lee in Los Angeles in 1996 and will mark its 30th anniversary next year; its inaugural feature, "Shopping for Fangs," debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 1997, cementing Lee’s early influence in independent cinema.