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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Category: Filmi18
0 Wind Shear
Wind Shear is a science fiction short film about escape. Travis and Gould work in the rocket factory assembling parts. Today is launch day and they pray this rocket won’t explode on take-off like all the rest. Captivity can make even paradise feel like a trap.
written and directed by Edward Pond
director of photography: Bob Gundu
Travis played by Asim Wali
Gould played by Peter Higginson
1st AC: Neil Wysocki
2nd AC: Rico Moran
Robot Programming: Al Peacock
Sound: Alex van der Meulen
Makeup: Buffy Shields
Visual Effects: Bob Gundu
Music:
Abysm by Jody Jenkins/Audio Network Limited (PRS)
Venus by Tom Quick/Audio Network Limited (PRS)
Special Thanks to Free Society and to David Barrett
copyright ©2016 Pond Inc. edwardpond.com
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0 Automate
Synopsis
An unemployed man, two tech billionaires, and an economist navigate the waters of a world radically changed by automation and artificial intelligence.
Written, directed, and produced by
Elvis Deane
Executive Producer
James Deane
Starring
Aparajit Bhattacharjee
Jocelyn Lernout
Chris Peterson
Dan Sanderson
Marissa Soragnese
Neville Von Braun
Director of Photography
Matthew P. Wocks
Gaffer + Grip
Joe Simpson
Make-Up Artist
Sara Matos
Music
Ocean + Breakdown + Disruption by Ocean
Special Thanks
Aldo Parise
Michelle Herrin
The Wish Group
Director’s Bio
Elvis Deane makes things. He has directed the feature films Separation Anxiety (2014) and The Ex (2018). His short films include Automate (2017), Deadline Dawn (2015), and Victoria (2011).
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0 Taaza Khoon (Fresh Blood)
Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/203538658
Taaza Khoon (Fresh Blood)
Canadian Premiere
Running time: 7:44
Synopsis
Taaza Khoon is about a young South Asian girl sold into the sex-trade who encounters a vampire looking to satisfy his hunger for fresh blood. She has always had her decisions made by others, but ultimately takes matters into her own hands by choosing her path to empowerment at the end of the story. There are not enough nuanced stories out there that highlight the forced illegal or legal immigration experience that’s sold to countless people in developing countries on the premise of the “American Dream”. This film is my effort at telling such a story.
· Director: Richa Rudoya
Richa is an NYC-based filmmaker. She grew up in India disliking most Bollywood and mainstream Hollywood movies and developed an interest in films upon discovering independent and foreign cinema while pursuing a statistics graduate degree in the US. She wrote & directed the award winning short film “Taaza Khoon” (Fresh Blood) which is currently enjoying a successful film festival run. She also wrote & directed the one-act Off Broadway play “Ferment” which was a Semi-Finalist in the 2017 New York New Works Theater Festival. An an actor, she has performed in short films and Off Broadway plays in New York City.
She has trained with The Barrow Group, Independent Film School and New York Film Academy. She’s a proud member of Filmshop’s Sandbox Directing Lab, FilmmakerHers, New York Women In Film & Television, NYC Women Filmmakers and South Asian Film Collective.
A storyteller at heart, Richa likes to view the world with a sociological lens and tell tales of courage. When not thinking of films, she’s usually exploring unusual spots around NYC with her husband, sharing animal/baby videos with friends and Whatsapping her family across the world.
Website: www.freshbloodfilm.com
IMDb: www.imdb.com/title/tt6533186/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TaazaKhoonFilm/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/taazakhoonfilm/
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0 Mr. Moden
Mr Moden
SYNOPSIS
A man has been detained and is questioned by a police detective, who can’t figure out if the truth is being told or not.
Director:
Bruce Pringle
Praveen Raj Ganesan
Director: Praveen Ganesan
Praveen Raj Ganesan
Praveen is a Director, actor, editor and producer living in Pickering , Canada. Born in Sri Lanka to Indian Parents, raised in India, Salem, Tamil Nadu. By the age of 18 He had travelled all over India and the Philippines to study Aviation. He holds a Commercial Pilot license from the Philippines.
Acting, directing was always a passion for him from his early childhood days and that lead to a lot of stage plays and a few TV shows. Stage plays that he directed and acted in his school days won alot of awards between the year 2003 and 2005. To support his family financially he studied IT computer Networking he moved to Canada in December 2010. After finishing his studies he started working as an IT Network Security Consultant. This did not make him stop chasing his dream. He started networking and built his own team to produce short films and commercials. He learned photography, cinematography and editing to support his films. He is 9 to 5 as an IT geek and the rest of the time he has worked, learned and made movies. After about 5 years of working full time he quit is job to start his own IT, media and Digital Marketing company Kural Inc. so that he has more time on hand to make films.
His first Short film in Canada was Ethiri The Enemy(2015), a tamil Short film. In 2016, 2017 he founded Thamziha foundation a nonprofit to help Indian farmers that he has featured in a lot of political awareness videos. Some of his videos has earned around 1 Million views in Facebook.
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/nnthamizha/videos/278548585926803/
2017 he has worked in the following short films
Mr Moden (2017) – Director, Producer
Happy Birthday Rahul (2017) – Director, Actor, Producer, Editor
Lecture (2017) – Actor, Producer
My Favourite Dinner (2017) – Director, Producer
Dumped (2017) – Director, Producer
Ethiri (2015) – Director, Actor, Producer, Editor
(Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yPJ_tLC8mQ)
His first feature film is in the pre-production phase and expected to be released by late Summer 2018
Bruce Pringle
Bruce Pringle
Born in Toronto , Bruce was first on stage at age 8 and first in front of a film camera at age 11 (commercial), he brings a long resume of film and commercial work.
In 2017 Bruce teamed up with Praveen Ganesan to jointly make films together. Bruce brings experience from the acting world along with writing skills developed over many years. Together and with other key people they have assembled a well rounded production team.
Mr.Moden is the first of four films that were filmed in 2017.
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0 Rewind
Title of the Film: Rewind
Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 2017
Running Time in minutes: 6.22
Tagline:
Three lost souls relive a fragment of their happy past through an alternative therapy.
Director: Jaana
Biography Jaana:
Originally from Germany, Jaana was educated in Vienna and New York, subsequently travelling the globe for the better part of a decade. Having worked as producer in
various parts of the world, she has cultivated invaluable storytelling. Her short documentary ‘I am a Doctor’ was aired on prime-time television in Canada. She is currently in post-production for her first feature-length documentary.
Director: Jazz Virk
Biography Jazz:
Jazz is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed commercial adverts and music video director. Born in London, England, his creative endeavours have taken him
around the world. His approach to narration is that of a devoted storyteller. After directing several short films, Jazz is currently writing his third feature film.
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0 Blindfold
BlindFold
Toronto Premiere
Running Time. 3:15
Synopsis
As the acolytes gather, a young prisoner journeys from blindness to truth
hyper.bolic films presents an experimental short by Slander.
Official Selection London Experimental 2017
starring
Julien Deane
Synn
The York Men’s Costume Club
Music
[re] Group
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0 Aquiver
World Premiere
Running Time: 3:49
When things don’t appear as they seem.
Director: Ash Varma
Staring: Steve Kasan
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0 Aryan’s World
Canadian Premiere
Running: 3 minutes
A parent struggles to find balance with his 8 year old child.
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0 VIVID
Toronto Premiere
Running time: 5:59
Viv, a beautiful young corporate climber
falls into the depths of fear
as she is stalked by a mysterious shadowy figure.
David, a corporate acquaintance witnesses her rapid decline
and must decide whether to save her or dismiss her mental state.
Shreya Patel
A recent graduate from Seneca College Documentary Filmmaking Institute, model-turned- actress and dancer Shreya Patel has been featured in short lms, commercials and television segments. Some of her commercial credits include: Much Music Canada, Rogers Cup, and York- dale Mall. She is also a veteran of runways, having walked for international designers in North America, Asia and the Middle East and was showcased in Vogue India’s fth anniversary show and Fashion Fund Award.
Since coming back to Canada, the spotlight has turned into acting and lm production. She directed and edited a documentary called “Girl Up”, a lm about a girl who was a victim of domestic violence and human tra cking. Lastly, she also co-directed and acted in a fashion lm “One Left” for the Elle Canada Fashion Film Competition.
FRANCIS LUTA WRITER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR
Francis Luta is an emerging Canadian filmmaker with works ranging from fiction and non-fiction. His most recent film “Vivid” (2017) a short horror film about one woman’s rapid decline into paranoia and the struggles of mental illness, produced by Canon Canada for their launch of the EOS C700 cinema camera, lensed by award winning cinematographer Jeremy Benning csc (The Expanse, Killing Lincoln). “Attention of Men” (2016) is a short drama about the inner battles with sexuality and religion which stars Adam Kenneth Wilson (Manson, Reign, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments). “Explorer” (2016) a short adventure documentary about modern day explorer Adam Shoalts which premiered at the Victoria Film Festival and Silveron International Film Festival. “The Legendary Mickey Parker” (2016) an introspective documentary about a 97 year old cancer and tuberculosis survivor which premieres at the Windsor Independent Film Festival. “Turbulence” (2016) a short dramedy about a breakup mid-flight which premiered at the Video Drunk Film Festival. “Butterfly” (2015) a short film shot entirely with a drone, explores the theme of grief and the supernatural which premiered at the Flying Robots International Film Festival. “The Story of 90 Sumach” (2015) a short documentary about the history of the CBC design building converted into one of the most iconic lofts in Toronto. “Wolf” (2015) a coming-of-age short mystery film about obsession and sexual urges which premiered at the Newfilmmakers New York Film Festival and archived at Cannes Short Film Corner. “The Hammer Band: Music Child” (2015) a short documentary about the organization that teaches kids learn how to play the violin in low-income neighborhoods of Toronto which won Best Music Video at the Toronto Short Film Festival. “Project Gelb” (2014) a 43 minute documentary about Asian-men-problems available on Amazon and Bell Fibe TV1 which premiered at the Equality International Film Festival in Kiev Ukraine, and “Seeing” (2014) a short film about blindness and revenge, lensed by powerhouse cinematographers Jeremy Benning csc and Adam Marsden csc (River, Hotline Bling Drake music video) produced by Cooke Optics. With a background in fine arts and graphic design, Francis Luta has exhibited art works in Berlin Germany and Toronto Canada, shows include Toronto International Art Fair, Berliner Kunstsalon and Preview Berlin.
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0 Devoured!
“Devoured!”
Premiere Status: New CUT
Title of the Film: Devoured
Country of Origin: Canada
Year of Production: 2017
Running Time in minutes: 6:58
Synopsis:
A woman struggles to fight off the voices in her head : Is it simply a case of being off her meds or is something more sinister and supernatural lurking behind these thoughts?
Made for the 50 HOUR FILM Competition Fall 2017 – New edit for Filmi18
Director: Faisal Lutchmedial
Faisal has won two awards from the Writers Guild of Canada, one for his short film Useless Things (2009, 16 min) which won the WGC English Script Prize at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema Montreal, and the WGC Bell Media Diverse Screenwriters Award. The Bell Media distinction landed him the intern / story editor position on CTV’s hit series The Listener (Season 4), as well the show’s webseries that year. More recently Faisal has been developing his own series projects, and will be directing the Ontario Arts Council funded short fiction Beneath Us, about undocumented immigrant garment workers.
In documentary Faisal directed the third world labour rights feature My Cultural Divide (2006, 75 min) which played in festivals around the world, and edited the Canadian Screen Award nominee “Burgundy Jazz”, a Radio-Canada interactive and multiplatform project. He continues to work in both doc and fiction as an editor and motion graphics artist.
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0 Breakdown
Breakdown
World Premiere
Running: 10:28
Some Breakdowns are long overdue
A serialized on-hour Dramedy with a touch of magic
Gwen’s life is going according to plan: great home, loving fiancée, and a thriving therapy practice. Her secret weapon? The INNERS: Analytic, Romantic, Rebel, and Fear. Everyone has internalized the voices of parents, coaches, or teachers, but Gwen’s voices are next level. They’ve developed personalities and priorities of their own. They’re an expert advisory panel in her practice, but in her personal life, they’ve been shoved aside.
When she ignores them one too many times, they do the unthinkable – vanish. In a panic, Gwen retreats to where it all started: her hometown and her research therapist parents. What she doesn’t expect to find is Ali, her college girl friend who may have been more of a girlfriend. In the midst of her identity crisis, Ali runs into the Inners, in the flesh and living it up in the outside world.
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0 Chiaroscuro
Chiaroscuro
Toronto Premiere
Running: 10:15
Synopsis:
During the lowest point in her life, a women finds herself on a stationary bus in the middle of a supernatural war – good vs evil, as she’s influenced in making a life changing decision.
Director: Michael Pugliese
Michael Joseph Pugliese is a film maker from Toronto, Canada who’s wears his heart for film on his sleeve.
Michael started performing as a child, landing roles in many commercials and independent films such as “Motives & Murders” (2012), “The Meeting” (2013) and “What’s the use?” (2015). As the years went on, Michael continued to grow as a performer, studying at Toronto and LA performing studios, finding his way to build his craft.
While his love continued to grow, Michael began writing screenplays. He wasn’t happy with the jobs he was booking and decided to create his own. As time went on, Michael completed a dozen screenplays, from shorts to features. He began developing the screenplays with a great friend, Prem Singh who shares the same passion to film as Michael does.
Michael, along side Prem Singh created and are the Co-Founders of Running Tiger Films, a production company that developed “Downsizing” (2014) and “Occupants” (2015), both of which Michael starred in as the lead. Their most recent feature completed is “Tiger” (2016), directed by Alister Grierson. Michael and Prem co-wrote and starred along side Academy Award Nominee Mickey Rourke and the star of Pretty Little Liars, Janel Parrish in the film.
While on set of Tiger Michael grew an interest for directing, as he shadowed Alister who taught him the way. As soon as Tiger wrapped, Michael was on a mission – to direct
his first picture. As a few months went by, Michael found himself behind a monitor on the sent of “Chiaroscuro” (2016), in which he wrote, produced and is his directorial debut.
Whether its in front of the camera or behind, Michael’s passion and love for film making will continue to grow as the years go on
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0 GRIN
Canadian Premiere
http://grinthemovie.com
A lonely starlet unravels when a photographer crosses the line.
Starring: Sheetal Sheth
Director: Tanuj Chopra
WINNER, Best Short – SACRAMENTO HORROR FESTIVAL
WINNER, Best Actress – SACRAMENTO HORROR FESTIVAL
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0 Cowboy and Indian
Toronto Premiere
Trailer:
Website:
http://www.cowboyandindianfilm.com
Running Time: 8 minutes, 13 seconds
Synopsis:
A young Bengali bride materializes out of the barren, desert landscape like a mirage. She collapses in the dry heat and wakes up in a cowboy’s bedroom. The unlikely pair discover things aren’t always what they seem.
Cast/Crew
Sujata Day – Director, Writer, Producer, Indian
Cameron Fife – Cowboy, Editor
Noel Maitland – Cinematographer, Editor
Malcolm Fife – Sound Designer
Megan Lee Joy – Production Manager
Brenna Haukedahl – Makeup Artist
Joshua Simpson – Gaffer
Mason Hankins – Sound Mixer
Michael Hanna – Production Assistant
Eric A. Wahl – Colorist
Director Bio
With her infectious personality and unique sense of humor, Pittsburgh native Sujata Day has established herself in Hollywood as a multi-talented actress, creator/writer, producer and director. She honed her comedy skills at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, graduating from the improv program. Sujata is known for her starring role as CeCe in Issa Rae’s The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Recent onscreen credits include a recurring role on HBO’s Insecure, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Life in Pieces and The Grinder. She is a 2016 Sundance | YouTube New Voices Lab fellow. Sujata makes her narrative directing debut with the short film Cowboy and Indian.
Press:
http://splinternews.com/i-want-to-write-my-indian-girl-story-how-insecures-suj-1795031665
http://www.rookiemag.com/2017/05/screen-time-30/
http://www.wearemovingstories.com/we-are-moving-stories-videos/2017/5/6/ifs-film-festival-cowboy-and-indian
· List of all Festivals the film as played in the U.S.:
CAAM Fest (SF), LA Asian Pacific, Hollyshorts, New York Indian, IFS, Colorado Dragon, Asian American International (NY), HAAPI (Houston)
21st Filmi: Toronto's South Asian Film Festival 2021 