Filmi 21! Virtual Edition
Filmi Toronto’s South Asian Film Festival Celebrating 21 Years!
December 27th, 2020
21st Filmi: Toronto’s South Asian film festival
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Premiere Status: Canadian premiere
Title of the Film: Where are you From?
Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 2017
Running Time in minutes: 2:27
A short personal Super8mm film produced for the Kodak Challenge.
Director: Sofian Khan
Sofian Khan (PRODUCER) is the founder of Capital K Pictures and a New York native. His shorts have appeared on Field of Vision, Al Jazeera, PBS, Fusion, The Atlantic and Huffington Post. He is a 2016 MacArthur Documentary Grant recipient for his filmTHE INTERPRETER, currently in post. Sofian’s first feature THE DICKUMENTARY (2014) — a definitive history of the penis from its evolution millions of years ago to today — was acquired by Breaking Glass Pictures in the US, and made its festival premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival. His second feature GAUCHO DEL NORTE (2015), was released shortly after, co-directed with producing partner Andrés Caballero. The film was a Jerome Foundation grant recipient, following South American shepherds who are recruited to work in the American west. It premiered at the 2015 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and aired on PBS’ America ReFramed series.
Website: http://capitalkpictures.com
Synopsis:
Since the 2016 election, hate crimes against Muslims have reached their highest level since 9/11. The travel ban — initially blocked but now partially reinstated by order of the Supreme Court — has sent the message that Muslims are not welcome in the US. AN ACT OF WORSHIP is about the push back against these developments. The film follows established civil rights organizations like CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) as well as a new generation of Muslim youth who have been galvanized into action against the forces of Islamophobia.
Directed by Sofian Khan & Nausheen Dadabhoy.
Sofian Khan (PRODUCER) is the founder of Capital K Pictures and a New York native. His shorts have appeared on Field of Vision, Al Jazeera, PBS, Fusion, The Atlantic and Huffington Post. He is a 2016 MacArthur Documentary Grant recipient for his filmTHE INTERPRETER, currently in post. Sofian’s first feature THE DICKUMENTARY (2014) — a definitive history of the penis from its evolution millions of years ago to today — was acquired by Breaking Glass Pictures in the US, and made its festival premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival. His second feature GAUCHO DEL NORTE (2015), was released shortly after, co-directed with producing partner Andrés Caballero. The film was a Jerome Foundation grant recipient, following South American shepherds who are recruited to work in the American west. It premiered at the 2015 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, and aired on PBS’ America ReFramed series.
Premiere Status: World premiere
Title of the Film: Girl Up
Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 2017
Running Time in minutes: 26
Synopsis :
Girl Up is a 25 min documentary about a girl who was a victim of domestic human trafficking in Toronto, Canada and her journey to find the courage to fight and get her life back. The documentary sheds light on domestic human trafficking that happens regularly in the first world countries, but no one wants to know or talk about it. This is Shreya Patel’s first film as a Director.
Director: Shreya Patel
Bio :
Model-turned-actress and filmmaker Shreya Patel has walked the runways of Asia, Middle East and North America and has been featured in numerous fashion spreads, covers, television spots and events. Her interest in storytelling and media led her to complete the postgrad documentary program at Seneca@York. She recently finished directing a documentary film named “Girl Up”, which raised questions about sex work, domestic violence and social injustices. Other directing credits include a fashion film called “One Left” for the Elle Canada Fashion Film Competition. Shreya has also acted in several commercials and short films and is currently looking forward to shooting her first feature in the new year.
Room for HER
World Premiere
Running Time: 13:38
Synopsis
‘Some days are harder than others.’ Such is life for Shelley and Alice, two middle-aged women who struggle with living on the poverty line and must deal with a daily array of physical and mental health issues. But Shelley and Alice have discovered the power and joys of art. As residents of Parkdale, a culturally and socioeconomically diverse neighbourhood in Toronto’s West End, and active members of a community arts program called Making Room, based out of a local multifunctional drop-in and social housing organization, these two women have discovered and reflect upon the transformative power of creative expression
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
http://www.lifeguardproductions.ca
SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES
https://www.facebook.com/lifeguardproductions
http://www.twitter.com/lifeguardproductions
Director: Farah Merani
Farah Merani is a graduate of the Drama Centre London and has performed in Canada, the US, throughout Europe and in Russia. In addition to being an actor, she has been involved in producing over 14 films with her company, Lifeguard Productions. She is one of the co-founders of Women on Screen, a non-profit that encourages a more dynamic and inclusive representation in the entertainment industry, and also serves as the Actra Toronto Diversity Committee co-chair. Her work has screened on the international festival circuit, including TIFF, the Austin Film Festival, the Atlantic Film Festival, the Reel World Film Festival, Garden State International Film Festival, and the Cleveland International Film Festival. As an actor, her credits include: Nikita, Lost Girl, Covert Affairs, and The Listener. “Room for Her” is Farah’s directorial debut.
‘Singh In The Lion City’
Canadian Premiere
Running time: 14
Synopsis: ‘Singh In The Lion City’ is a documentary about a Singaporean Sikh man’s
personal quest to decode his cultural identity. This sets him on a journey of self-discovery along a shared heritage trail – which he encapsulates and celebrates via the creation
of an app.
Director: Upneet Kaur-Nagpal
Upneet is Singaporean filmmaker clasped with a nomadic soul. She thrives on the buzz of new experiences and has lived and travelled through diverse parts of the world. Between the dirt and dreams, Upneet remains continually fascinated by people and their lives. Equipped with a desire to refresh tired perspectives, her documentaries find themselves amidst different communities – from Romany gypsies and homeless walking guides in England to low-wage poet migrant workers in Singapore. Her latest film, ‘Singh In The Lion City’ explores themes of diaspora and shared heritage via the lens of the Sikh community in Singapore. She is keen to further explore the world of global collaborations and film/art through her platform, Uptake Media.
FATIMA
Toronto Premiere
RUnning time 12:24
Synopsis
Fatima is the story of a young visually impaired girl, plagued by the unkindness of society yet anchored by the strength of her mother’s love, who does not let her dream of being a Judo Olympian concede defeat – not even to the limits of sight.
Akreta is an Indo-Canadian critically acclaimed independent film producer and director. She is a York University film graduate and has made several short films, documentaries, corporate films and music videos. Akreta’s film ‘Elpis’ has screened at festivals like Festival de Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival, just to name a few. She is an active member of the international film festival circuit and has also been on the jury for various film festivals, including the Images Festival, Canada. She loves to explore new cultures and has traversed the globe to bring lost stories to light.
The Survivor
Synopsis:
Muhammad Muneeb Khan, a survivor of the 2014 Army Public School Massacre, lost his only brother in the heinous attack. “The Survivor,” a short documentary, follows Muneeb’s inner turmoil, fears, and his individual growth through the post-attack trauma. The documentary is in the form of a personal statement to college.
Director’s Biography:
Danial graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Oregon USA with a degree in Rhetoric & Media Studies. He started his media career with internships at Fox News and ABC. Danial returned to Pakistan in 2014 and joined PTV World as a Sports Anchor during which he hosted a show on the FIFA 2014 World Cup. In July he landed the role as anchor of the full fledged show The Young World, which covers youth-related issues in Pakistan. Starting 2015, he’s been dedicating all his time in touching social issues of Pakistan and the Middle East through his short films
Director’s Statement:
“The Army Public School Massacre of 2014 shook the world. Personally, the year itself was very eventful and interesting for me. I left my well-paid job at AT&T in Chicago, Illinois, and moved home to Pakistan to pursue a career in film production. I joined Pakistan Television Network as a sports anchor and earned an opportunity to cover the Peshawar attack for a show I helped host called: The Young World. I had been hearing about terrorism in Pakistan since I was four years old, but the attacks had never really made an impact on me, until I watched the families of the deceased mourn. After seeing their sadness, I felt moved for the first time, and slightly ashamed that I had not been more sympathetic towards my own people for the greater part of my life. After that attack, I changed my focus to research; I gathered information and built stories for the media, which I centered around other tragedies and unfortunate incidents in Pakistan.
Two years flew by and our media was still talking about the attack in Peshawar. They were reporting and re-reporting about the ways the rifled terrorists had entered the Army school and shot 144 kids. I was sick and tired of hearing the same news because it would force me to re-visualize the broken hearts of families, the traumatic sounds of people crying, and the mental and physical pain it had caused many of the survivors. As the media in Pakistan does not recognize mental conditions as an actual ailment, I figured it would be up to me to find out how the families were doing after suffering the loss of their children. I pitched my idea to a couple of companies, as well as the army, to help facilitate and realize my vision, but they had instantly refused and deemed my idea a threat to security. They informed me that the kids who survived were not in a state to be asked such questions, and that the media should be not so emotionally connected to the victims, but I knew they were all just making excuses.
I decided to take the whole project upon myself and track down the kids that survived the attack. After talking to multiple people and networking for connections, I got in touch with Muneeb’s sister, Momina Khan. I traveled to Peshawar for a recce and befriended Muneeb, then spent a few days getting to know him. Gradually, he opened up about what had happened to him and his brother, and how his family was taking it. I used a tape recorder during our conversations to better understand his story, and through further analysis, I realized that Muneeb used video games to better deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder. He later divulged that he would like to build his own video game; a game that would teach kids
how to defend themselves against terrorist attacks in Pakistan. That was the point where it all hit me! Muneeb’s admirable dream would be the foundation of a short film I would direct in order to share his story. Through this incident in Muneeb’s life, I would show the people of our country how hard it is to have PTSD.
Today, I am proud to have helped a survivor better deal with his demons and escape the dark confines of his own mind. He continues to apply to visual arts schools nationally and globally. I cannot wait to see him flourish in his personal and professional life, and set an example for other survivors that are unable to move forward. I am so excited for Muneeb’s dream to become a reality!”
Publications on The Survivor:
Mangobaaz: http://campus.mangobaaz.com/aps-survivor-documentary/
The News International: https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/us/233205-Learning-to-live-again
The Nation: http://nation.com.pk/blogs/17-Dec-2016/the-survivor-immortalizing-the-aps-victims
FHM Pakistan: https://fhmpakistan.com/review-survivor-short-documentary/
The Destinations: (November cover)
Lewis & Clark (My alma mater): http://www.lclark.edu/live/news/37350-alumnus-documentary- garners- international- acclaim
Awards & Nominations:
Filmography:
Dream (2010)
Lut (2015)
The Survivor (2017)
Chronicles of the Worthless (2018)
Synopsis
Fare Trade follows the misadventures of Cleo, Vic, and Janet, three self-absorbed millennials who no longer believe in money. They don’t want to make it, they don’t want to spend it. Getting by in the big city with no cash lands them in a world of crooked cops, superheroes, and zombies that want to make love. They barter, they cheat, they steal, and they scheme. Oh, how they will scheme.
Entire series available at: bunzlife.com
Socials
Facebook: @FareTradeShow
Instagram:@FareTradeShow
Twitter: @FareTradeShow
Shawn Ahmed
co-writer/co- director/co-producer
Shawn Ahmed is an award-winning writer and actor based out of Toronto. Before co-
founding Crazy Shirt Productions, Shawn was a founding member of the critically –
acclaimed sketch troupe Fade to Brown, where he wrote, acted, and directed. The
troupe’s 4 year tenure was highlighted by a 22-minute special for OMNI Television.
He also directed Finding Talib which premiered at the South Asian Film Festival. As an
actor, Shawn’s work has been seen around the world both on stage and screen.
Notable Film and TV credits include: The Expanse (SyFy); Slasher (Chiller TV); Saw VI (Lionsgate); Designated Survivor (ABC); Orphan Black (BBC America); Private Eyes (Global); MsLabelled (Slice TV); Max and Shred (Nickelodeon); Flight 93 (A&E); Rogue (Direct TV);
Odd Squad (Sinking Ship); The Other Kingdom (Epitome Pictures). Theatre credits
include: Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Bash’d); And Slowly Beauty… (Tarragon Theatre);
Romeo and (Her) Juliet (Dauntless Theatre); Macbeth (Driftwood Theatre); A Really
Bad Play (Funny Face Productions); as well as Comedy of Errors, Revolutionary
Moments, and More Words! More Play! with the historic Shakespeare & Company in
Lenox, Massachusetts.
I’ve had so much fun stepping behind the camera and working with this power-house
team. I hope audiences enjoy Fare Trade as much as we’ve enjoyed making it. What a
ride!
Scott Leaver
co-writer/co-director/co-producer
Scott grew up in the Niagara Region and graduated from Laura Secord Secondary School in St. Catharines. An award-winning actor and screenwriter, Scott has been working across Ontario for over a decade on and off-camera and on stage. Aside from co-founding Crazy Shirt Productions, some of Scott’s film work includes Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Omni on the television and web series Team Epic (PLP / BiteTV), appearances for SPACE CHANNEL, and on the series Ghostly Encounters. As a playwright, Scott has worked with several Canadian organizations including Next Stage Festival, Playwrights Workshop Montreal, Scriptlab of Canada and the Canadian Musical Theatre Festival. As a stage actor he is proud to have been part of a Dora Mavor Moore Award winning production and been part of a threesome nominated for Outstanding Performance. Scott is a graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts where he received his College Diploma in the Performing Arts.
Ruby’s Tuesday
Canadian Premiere
Running TIme: 11:37
It’s Tuesday. It’s also Ruby’s Birthday… And even though she’s the only one who remembered, she’s determined to make it a day she never forgets.
Director:
Supinder Wraich is an award winning actor for her role in ‘Guidestones’. This is her third short that she has directed.
Premiere Status: Canadian premiere
Title of the Film: The Pits
Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 2017
Running Time in minutes: 6:23
Synopsis: At 13, Dhruvi is appalled to learn the Indian food she eats every day makes her armpits smell funny. Her struggle with pungent food and bold spices resurfaces years later, when she’s drawn to a fellow South Asian student in university.
Director: Shetu Modi
Bio: Shetu Modi is a writer, director and editor based in Toronto. Shetu’s online documentary Drape, Tuck, Pleat was featured by Brown Girl Magazine. Her first narrative short, Hot Air, screened at festivals in Toronto and Los Angeles. She currently works at the Canadian Press as a video producer and editor.
Cast names:
Noor Dhanda
Akhil Nair
Saaniya Saraf
Synopsis
The best part of his day is when he leaves his corporate job and stops to watch the skateboarders on his way home. The sight takes him back to high school, where, as new immigrant, he proudly used to walk around strutting his skateboard – his new North American persona – until he was bullied into giving up his passion.
As he remembers the bullying, he remembers feeling a lack of belonging and frustration with not being able to enjoy skating because he didn’t fit the “look”. Once again, he turns away. Then one day, life offers him another chance.
Director: Seth Mohan
In January 2016 I started making YouTube videos. The goal was simple, as an actor and aspiring film maker I wanted to learn the craft of shooting and editing videos. I have always enjoyed writing but did not have the technical know-how to execute my ideas and bring them to life.
To change that, I gave myself the goal of publishing one video a week for 2016. This goal is the reason I was able to make my vision a reality.
Blind Faith
Running Time 9:24
Synopsis:
Aalia is left humiliated after a driver yells out racist comments while she is crossing the street. Later at a New Year’s Eve gathering, she meets a new friend. Unaware to Aalia, or her new friend for that matter, is that her new friend is the same person who made racial comments earlier that the day.
Director:
Rividu Mendis was born April 15th, 1998 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At just 3 weeks old he made the flight to Canada. At the age of 13, he began working as a DJ and started developing a passion towards performing. By the age of 15, he and his cousin founded their company Ace Entertainment. Today Ace Entertainment caters live DJs and photographers as well as produce films and music. In 2013 Rividu Mendis became a represented actor with Glickman Alexander Talent Management. He is now an ACTRA member. In 2016 he enrolled at York University for film production and aspires to keep working towards his dreams.
Website: www.aceentertainment.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AceEntertainmentCA
More than Just Friends
Toronto Premiere
Running Time: 12 Minutes
Synopsis:
Upon spending the last moments of his life as an international student in Canada, Shaan realizes that he has always been in love with his best friend Aida. The story is about his struggle to decide whether he should express his feelings and jeopardize their friendship.
Director: Zafir Ahmed:
Born and raised in Bangladesh, Zafir pursued his undergraduate in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota and later University of Western Ontario. Soon thereafter, he realized his passion lied in filmmaking and chose to complete a diploma in Film Production at Toronto Film School. Having lived in several different parts of the world and experiencing multiple cultures, Zafir believes film is a medium that brings people closer together and seeks to bring that experience and belief to life.
Website: http://nrwfilms.com
http://www.facebook.com/nrwfilms
Synopsis:
The Worst Part is a short film about a guy going to get his stuff after a breakup. I put this one together one weekend with some very talented friends and family. We all wanted to practice the craft of going from script to screen so thank you to everyone involved in this production!
Directors: Reza Dahya
Reza Dahya is known for his work as a host and producer of OTA Live on FLOW 93.5FM in Toronto. He transitioned into filmmaking with his first short film, ESHA (2011), and the crowd-funded FIVE DOLLARS (2013), which premiered at the TIFF Kids International Film Festival, screened internationally and aired on CBC’s “Canadian Reflections”. A 2014 alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre’s Cineplex Entertainment Film Program Directors’ Lab, Dahya completed his CFC Short Film, CHAMELEON (2015), as well as the indie short THE WORST PART (2016) and is developing a slate of feature films.
http://www.afilmbyrez.com
Instagram: @afilmbyrez on
Synopsis
Global Party Starters – Bout Us (f. Elise Estrada and J. Young)
The video is based on the true story of GPS co-founder SatsB and his wife Michelle. The video deals with the taboo in South Asian culture of dating and marrying outside of your culture and religion. Big thank you to Telus StoryHive and the BC Music Fund for letting us tell this story.
Directed by Elena Sarasom and Hussein DJ A-SLAM Alidina
Story by Sathish SatsB Bala
Produced by Shameer Punjani
A-SLAM Bio
With the help of the BC Music Fund, DJ A-SLAM has launched a new group called the “Global Party Starters”. In their short time as a group, GPS has already been nominated for two Canadian Songwriting Awards, and were semi-finalists in the Unsigned Only Music Competition. This project has also allowed DJ A-SLAM to take the directors seat. His first video, titled Follow Me, brought together international artists sharing their personal mantras. A-SLAM’s second treatment led to a Telus StoryHive music video grant. This video, titled “Bout Us”, has just released and will be screened at Toronto’s Filmy Festival as well and the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival.
A BICYCLE LESSON
When a young woman teaches her mother how to ride a bicycle she discovers a secret that has the potential to mend their fractured relationship.
SYNOPSIS:
When a phone call from home interrupts her fun weekend plans, SABRINA travels to the suburbs in order to visit her mother, RUBY.
A bi‐monthly endeavor that she does more out of obligation than desire. At the house, Ruby welcomes her impatient daughter with a home cooked lunch as well as a request: She wants Sabrina to teach her how to ride a bicycle.
Pressed for time, Sabrina begrudgingly obliges and together mother and daughter struggle through a bicycle lesson that becomes increasingly humourous as their personalities clash and frustrations increase.
But when Sabrina cuts the lesson short and returns the bicycle to the garage, she discovers a disturbing secret that her mother has kept from her. A secret that not only forces them to deal with their broken relationship but also has the promise to bring them closer together in a way that neither of them expected.
SHORT SYNOPSIS (116 words):
When a call from home interrupts her fun weekend plans, SABRINA travels to the suburbs to visit her mom, RUBY. Ruby welcomes her impatient daughter with a home cooked lunch and a request: teach her to ride a bicycle.
Sabrina begrudgingly obliges. Together mom and daughter struggle through a bicycle lesson that becomes increasingly humorous as personalities clash and frustrations mount.
But when Sabrina cuts the lesson short and returns the bicycle to the garage, she discovers a disturbing secret that her mother has kept from her. A secret that not only forces them to deal with their broken relationship but also has promise to bring them closer in a way that neither of them expected.
DIRECTOR: RENUKA JEYAPALAN
Renuka Jeyapalan is a Toronto-based writer/director and graduate of the Canadian Film Centre’s prestigious Director’s Lab. Her Genie-nominated short film Big Girl (05) screened at the Berlinale, the Tribeca Film Festival, and TIFF, where it was awarded Best Short Film. She is currently developing several feature films and comedy TV series Girl in the Boys Room for the CBC.
MAIN CAST
Veena Sood
Supinder Wraich
Greg Calderone
CREW
Writer Renuka Jeyapalan
Director Renuka Jeyapalan
Producer Lauren Corber
Cinematographer Daniel Grant
Editor Tiffany Beaudin
Hair/Makeup Artist Edel Bedard
Costume Designer Judith Clancy
Production Designer Beth McLeod
Sound Recordist Sean van Delft
Continuity Consuelo Solar
Toronto Premiere
Brown Guys Do – Pirates
Directed By Maninder Chana
Length: 6:44
Country:
Synopsis:
Back in the early 2000s, there was a comedy troupe named Mixed Nuts. It played sold out shows and garnered rave reviews. What was unique about the troupe was that it featured a very multicultural cast that did every accent or character under the sun. The goal was to push minorities (South Asian) into the mainstream. It’s obviously happened in the interim, but one thing that has remained missing is showcasing the ability to do voices beyond East Indian, Arabic (thanks for all the wonderful terrorist roles btw) or regular North American. That’s where “Brown Guys Do” steps in. It shows that people of colour have a range of talent to do accents and characters beyond those typically associated with their race or background.
Directors Bio:
An award-winning writer, director, producer and actor, Maninder Chana was the driving force behind the Comedy Troupe Mixed Nuts. The comedy troupe sold out shows and garnered accolades for its cutting edge humor. His career quickly moved to television and film. Maninder Chana is the writer of the feature film ‘Cell 213’ and Director and Writer ‘Little Terrors’. Maninder latest work ‘Brown Guys Do’ is a series on the web in which he Directed, Wrote and Acted.
PIZZA
First-time Filmmaker
Director: Arjun Amirthakumar
There is a new chef in town and his ultimate goal is to serve the emperor and empress of that country he is in, as his journey begins we see the chef come across many obstacles.
Will he ultimately get through all the negative judgement and prove himself or will he be kept aside from society for being different?
We shall find out in this short film P I Z Z A.
Film Type:
Animation, Short, Student
Runtime:
4 minutes 14 seconds
Completion Date:
May 11, 2017
Country of Origin:
Singapore
Film Color:
Color
Dalewood Productions since 2010
Sarvan Singh has always enjoyed film-making. In fact, by the time he was 4 years old, he had already been acting in student films . Soon afterwards Sarvan Singh began writing, filming and directing his own films. After graduating in 2008 from the Toronto Film School; Sarvan went on to direct, edit and shoot projects from around the world. Some big names include Netflix, HBO, Worldstar Hiphop, Weedmaps, just to name a few..