Filmi 23!
Filmi Toronto’s South Asian Film Festival – 23 Years!
December 6th – 7th, 2025
Stay tuned for some great films!
21st Filmi: Toronto’s South Asian film festival
Harbourfront Centre
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Tag: shorts
0 In search of lost time
Synopsis:
Two South Asian immigrants arrive in Canada in hopes for a better life, but slowly learn it’ll cost them their soul. In today’s world, what does it cost to leave everything behind and make a new-life in a “First World” country? In Search of Lost Time is a tragic comedy which explores the longing for something worth calling “home”, and what someone must do to have “la dolce vita”, as they love to call it.
STARRING: Ali Kazmi, Gia Sandhu, Mikaela Lily Davies, Rouvan Silogix, Steph Crothers & Athena Kaitlin Trinh
Director: A film by Rafeh & Rouvan Mahmud
Rafeh Mahmud is a Pakistani-Tanzanian-American, recent Canadian immigrant, Director, Writer, Daytime Emmy award winning Producer & Editor. He has worked for ABC News “Good Morning America” and as a Production & Post Production Engineer’s Associate for Light Iron, Panavision on Netflix’s “Queens Gambit”, Amazon’s “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, CBS’s “The Good Fight” among other TV-shows and films. Since moving to Toronto, he has worked with Cineflix Productions on a Lifetime MOW “Jodi Arias: Bad Behind Bars”, and on CBC Gem’s “Virgins” and “True Dating Stories.” He has also worked with the Canadian Opera Company, Stratford Festival, Crow’s Theatre & Modern Times Theatre Company.
Rafeh latest film ‘When Life Gives You Lemons’ (2022) has 3 Official Selections, including Oscar-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard AA Film Festival Virtual Experience. His previous film ‘In Defense of Civil Society’ (2021) has received 18 Official Selections, including Cannes’ Diversity in Cannes Shortfilm Showcase, Sarasota Film Festival, & Richmond International Film Festival. 2 Award Wins in Best Picture & Best Editing, 5 Nominations in Best Dark Comedy, including a Grand Jury Nomination, and 3 Honourable Mentions.
Outside of his work in film, he works as a director, playwright, and actor in theatre, and is a multiple grant-winning theatre artist. Prior to his recent immigration to Toronto, he lived and worked in New York City, and Karachi, Pakistan.
Previous experience includes: “Jodi Arias: Bad Behind Bars” Assistant Editor; Lifetime (Cineflix Productions). CBC Gem’s “Virgins” (Lead Editor) & “True Dating Stories” (DIT, BTS Photographer, Assistant Editor). Stratford Theatre Festival Digital Content (2020), Ruby Waters Live (2021), Associate Producer, ABC News [2018 Daytime Emmy]. Post & Production Engineer’s Associate, Light Iron, Panavision (2019), Artistic Associate & Coordinator, Williamstown Theatre Festival (2017), The New School for Drama, BFA, 2013-2017.
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0 The Mermaid Waits
A showcase of multiple seasons’ worth of designs and products by 18 Waits, through the meet-cute of a man and a mermaid
Director Biography – Nadeem Umar-Khitab
Director Statement
Nadeem Umar-Khitab is a classically trained actor who has spent most of his career performing
Shakespeare. He studied acting at Toronto Metropolitan University with Ian Watson of the Stratford
Conservatory and Dr. Cynthia Ashperger of the Michael Chekhov Association. Most recently, he played
Hamlet in a bold reimagining by director Stephen Drover. His performance was lauded as “eminently
watchable, sympathetic” leading “a first-rate cast [in]…the must-see show of the summer.”
Nadeem’s career spans two decades and three countries, performing at London’s Barbican Centre, the
Brooklyn Centre for the Performing Arts, and across Toronto and Vancouver. Notable credits include the
world premieres of the smash hit Beatles musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It (Bard on
The Beach), Anosh Irani’s The Men In White (Arts Club), Carmen Aguirre’s Anywhere But Here (Electric
Company), Chris Abraham’s Macbeth, and the national tour of the award-winning Canadian musical
Onegin (Arts Club).
Recently, his focus has shifted to Film & Television, working on network shows like The Handmaid’s Tale
(Hulu), Brilliant Minds (NBC), and Robyn Hood (Global). Spring 2026 will see the release of his third major
studio feature Ready or Not: Here I Come (Fox Searchlight).
A recent graduate from Toronto Film School’s Screenwriting program and soon-to-be graduate of
Yorkville University, Nadeem is now forming a banner to produce his own projects under – uplifting
original narratives that put him and other up-and-coming diverse artists at the forefront.
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0 The Seas Between Us
Synopsis:
In the mid 1960s a young girl who has never seen anything but rural Trinidad has her eyes opened to the world when her adventurous Auntie from India comes to visit.
Director: Faisal Lutchmedial
Director’s Filmography:
Faisal’s work has explored the themes of identity, the immigrant experience, and loss. He’s directed numerous short films like the short “Useless Things” (2009) which won the Writers Guild of Canada English Script Prize at the Festival Nouveau Cinema Montreal, and the short Caribbean flavoured drama “Mr. Crab” which aired nationally on CBC’s Short Film Face Off. In documentary he directed the the labour rights themed feature doc “My
Cultural Divide” (2006). As a screenwriter Faisal worked on Ransom (Global/CBS), and Endlings (Hulu/CBC), and is an alum of the TIFF Writers Studio, the WarnerMedia Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program, and a winner of the WGC Bell Diverse
Screenwriters Program. Faisal’s is an alum of the TIFF Writers Studio, the WarnerMedia Access Writers Program, and a winner of the WGC Bell Diverse Screenwriters Program.
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0 Jo Mera, Woh Tumhara
Synopsis:
Feeling inadequate as a father, Naim starts to notice unsettling changes in his wife’s behaviour and the increasing visits from his best friend Javed. With his son Talha also sensing that something is wrong, they quietly navigate their suspicions and the complexities of their family relationships.
Director: Haaris Qadri
Haaris Qadri is an emerging filmmaker based in Toronto and London and a graduate from York University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film Production Specialized Honours. He is currently a participant of the 2025 Canadian Film Centre Directors Lab.
His last short film majboor-e-mamool screened at the Montreal Festival du Nouveau, was featured on the Short of The Week and won Best Canadian Short Film presented by the National Film Board of Canada at the Canadian Academy recognized film festival, Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. He has also screened at the 2023 TIFF Next Wave Film Festival and the Canadian Film Festival. His latest film, Jo Mera Woh Tumhara enters the film festival circuit this year.
Haaris aims to make films that blend the authenticity of naturalism with the vividness of a painter’s realism. His works delve into the essence of everyday life, capturing the subtle moments that evoke deep emotions and perhaps change. Haaris is drawn to diasporic narratives, exploring themes of identity, familial fragmentation, and the nuances of intergenerational dynamics.
Haaris has had his work supported by the Canada Council of the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, the International Film Festival of South Asia’s inaugural Bright Lights Talent Fund and the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.
Branching into the world of television, Haaris was also shortlisted for Sundance Institute Episodic Labs with his pilot Bintu’s Weddings and later went on to develop the script with Anthony Q. Farrell with the Warner Brothers Access x BIPOC TV and Film Episodic Labs. He’s currently shopping the script in the U.K with Camilla Wren of Frolic Pictures.
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0 Mango Trail
Each morning, Rabiya moves through her routine with quiet precision, unseen by a husband who barely notices her. When their car breaks down, she follows a surreal trail of mangoes into a park where colors speak, and wind, water, and the Koel, the bird of memory and spring, call to her. There, she meets a trickster spirit drawn from Punjabi folklore, devouring mangoes with wild abandon. In this strange encounter, Rabiya brushes against a forgotten self, stirred by desire and memory. She runs. The next morning repeats like clockwork, but a basket of mangoes and the echo of a haunting melody suggest something has quietly, irreversibly shifted.
Director Biography – Danyal Rasheed
Danyal Rasheed is a filmmaker working between Toronto and Pakistan, known for a body of work that navigates memory, displacement, and the sacred. His key projects include A Walnut Tree (2015), Mela Chiragan: A Few Rhymes (2018), and Hatak (2020).
Hatak, a short fiction film based on a story by renowned Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto, screened at international festivals including IFFSA Toronto (2021) and DCSAFF (2022). His feature documentary A Walnut Tree offers a haunting glimpse into the lives of internally displaced people in Pakistan’s conflict-ridden FATA region, premiering at IDFA (2015) and Hot Docs (2016).
In Mela Chiragan: A Few Rhymes, Rasheed turns his lens to the ecstatic rituals of the annual mela at the shrine of Sufi poet Shah Hussain. The film screened at Open Doors (Locarno Film Festival) and the Freiburger Film Forum in 2021.
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0 My Eyes (Meri Ankhon)
The story of a woman who was betrayed by “love at first sight”. The memories flashback in their eyes of what was once a sweet innocent pure love story they embarked upon. What must have happened for her to leave with no sign of return? Her husband sits in deep regret unable to see a way to bring her back.
Director Statement
“Where there is Love, there is Life” -S.G.N.
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0 The Unknown Soldier
The Unknown Soldier follows a Sikh soldier who enlists in the Canadian Army during World War I. Confronted by the horrors of trench warfare and personal conflict, he remains determined to survive and find his place. Paired with Private Nash, he embarks on a perilous mission to rescue an injured General. When their mission turns violent and they are both wounded, the soldier’s resilience emerges as he risks his life to save his comrade. This powerful narrative explores bravery, humanity, and the quest for belonging amid the chaos of war.
Director Biography – Aviel Kurulkar, Javier Alfaro
Aviel Kurulkar and Javier Alfaro met while studying film at Wilfrid Laurier University, where their shared passion for storytelling sparked a creative partnership that continues to thrive.
Aviel Kurulkar is a filmmaker whose work draws on lived experience, historical inquiry, and a deep sensitivity to the emotional landscape of migration and memory. As an immigrant, Aviel brings a distinct lens to The Unknown Soldier, infusing the film with themes of displacement, identity, and the burden of remembrance.
With a background in cinematography and direction across feature films, shorts, and TV productions, Aviel’s approach balances visual restraint with emotional depth.
At twenty-one, Javier left home to pursue filmmaking in Canada, and has since directed over fifteen short films and worked on more than twenty projects, earning awards such as first place at the GRFF YODO Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award for I’ve Been Dreaming, I’ve Been Working at the 48 Hour Toronto Film Project. He is well-versed in all aspects of production—from directing and producing to editing—and aims to create films that inspire others to explore their wildest dreams.
Together, they form a dynamic team dedicated to telling powerful, visually rich stories.
Director Statement
World War I has been depicted on the big screen countless times from various perspectives, yet the contributions of Punjabi soldiers remain largely untold. This idea was sparked by a desire to tell one such story, particularly within a Canadian context. The aim is to provide a realistic depiction of these hardships, while offering a slice of life that highlights the Sikh soldier’s culture and beliefs, when they are put to the test amidst the horrors of conflict
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0 The Forgotten Soles
Not long ago, residential school walls stood in silence, bearing witness to stories too heavy for even the wind to carry away.
In this claymation animated short, two young boys—Animkii and Makwa—embark on a journey of rediscovery after a classroom lesson stirs echoes of a history their families once kept quiet. Guided by an elder and the stories stitched into the land, they begin to uncover the strength of their people—and themselves.
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0 Wrung Out
A recent divorcee treats herself to a spa day, becoming fast friends with her quirky esthetician. When the unsuspecting duo take their friendship beyond the spa walls they visit a medium who predicts a wild night ahead of them
Director Biography – Harmeet Bhatti, Amanda McNeice
AMANDA McNEICE is a former production manager turned screenwriter and now a first-time co-director with Harmeet Bhatti. Amanda writes for animated TV and MOW romance but is fond of any genre where she gets to create memorable characters. When she’s not writing, Amanda enjoys making art, reading and visiting any town that has a butter tart festival.
HARMEET BHATTI is a writer and actor from Toronto. She took a risk thirteen years ago when she left behind a steady, traditional career path (much to her grandmother’s dismay) in order to pursue her passion for performing. Her transition into writing was a natural progression from her acting career. The inspiration for her content derives from the lack of nuanced characters and roles available to her as a South Asian actor. In her spare time Harmeet enjoys powerlifting, baking and ceramics.
Director Statement
Our goal was to challenge stereotypical casting choices and societal perceptions of how women are portrayed on screen – particularly in comedy.
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0 Comical Depression
Comical Depression is a short film that talks about different ways in which depression can appear and the impact of relationships on a person who is going through depression.
Millie, the lead character who is going through depression has friends and family who visit her throughout the day. Their attempts at ‘helping’ do not translate into actual help primarily due to a lack of awareness of ‘depression’.
This film is meant to start conversations about depression, its symptoms, the differing appearance of varying symptoms in different people and other mental health issues that are prevalent in our society. It is a film that incorporates educational and entertainment elements but does not offer medical advice as this is not a public service announcement. However, it does fill the gap of providing light-hearted, family centric film content for healthy conversations around various mental health issues.
Director Biography – Swaroop Elamon
With over a decade of experience in independent filmmaking and scriptwriting, Swaroop has developed a unique style that blends creativity with technical expertise. Swaroop’s passion for storytelling is evident in every project he undertakes.
His academic background in political science from the University of Delhi coupled with a postgraduate diploma in film direction from LV Prasad Film Academy in Chennai and a certificate in Digital Marketing from York University, Toronto has contributed to his diverse and rich storytelling abilities that resonates universally.
His extensive repertoire of work showcases his versatility across various formats, including short films, music videos, documentaries, and digital content. Notably, his involvement in the upcoming web series “Ekam” as both a writer and director highlights his continued growth and involvement in larger-scale fictional narratives.
Beyond film, Swaroop’s engagement in theater as a writer, sound designer, and actor likely provides him with a multifaceted approach to storytelling, allowing him to infuse his projects with depth and creativity.
Overall, Swaroop Elamon’s blend of education, experience, and involvement across different mediums indicates a well-rounded and passionate artist with a penchant for storytelling and creative expression.
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0 Glitchaos
GLITCHAOS isn’t a story meant to be taken seriously; it’s a two-minute burst of chaos, comedy, and game-glitched mayhem. I wanted to capture the feeling of smashing a controller, raging at a boss fight, and then laughing at the absurdity of it all.
The film borrows the bold FX style of Arcane and the glitchy, playful energy of Spider-Verse to create a world where reality breaks apart in the most ridiculous ways. At its heart, it’s just about having a good time watching things spiral out of control, because not every film needs to be deep. Sometimes, it’s just fun to watch a mech wreck a kid’s bedroom.
Director Biography: Gurtaj Malhi
Gurtaj Malhi is a versatile 3D artist specializing in Animation and Layout. Born in Canada and raised in India, his multicultural upbringing fueled a deep appreciation for diverse media and storytelling. While his primary expertise lies in 3D, Gurtaj has a passion for traditional life drawing, often finding inspiration in putting pen to paper.
In his final year at Seneca College, Gurtaj directed Glitchaos, a short film where he showcased his leadership as Animation Lead, Production Manager, Rigging Lead, Previs Artist, Character Modeler and made significant contributions to the pipeline. His ability to adapt across departments highlights his strengths as a generalist with an affinity for animation and storytelling.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Gurtaj is captivated by the mechanics of machines, blending creativity with technical curiosity. Known for his initiative, strong sense of responsibility, and professional demeanor, he is often described as a natural leader who brings passion and dedication to every project. A skilled communicato or “professional yapper” as some affectionately call him, Gurtaj thrives in collaborative environments, inspiring those around him to achieve their best.
Danny Mai
Danny Mai is a Vietnam-born, Canada-based 3D artist who loves storytelling through animation and visual effects. He focuses on texturing, look development, and creating immersive worlds, pulling inspiration from Cyberpunk, Akira, Spider-Verse, and a mix of music, games, and shows.
Danny works across a few different areas, mainly as a texturing and lookdev artist, a comp artist with experience in Nuke, and a beginner VFX artist with a bit of previs experience too. He’s comfortable working in Unreal Engine, Maya, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and ZBrush and always curious to learn new tools and techniques. A collector of retro toys, vintage tech, and fashion, Danny loves blending nostalgia with modern creativity. Whether it’s building environments, designing effects, or piecing things together in comp, his work is all about curiosity, style, and a genuine love for art and storytelling.
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0 ASHTRAY
In a battle of will and wants, one man must choose between love and lungs.
Director: Ashish Varma
Ashish is a veteran of the short film space, known for his prolific body of work. His latest endeavor is his first feature-length script, Desi Fiction, a film audiences can look forward to seeing on the 2026 festival circuit!
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0 Guilty Pleasures
A Christmastime date takes a dark turn when Emily and Arjun, a young couple still in the early days of their budding relationship, begin discussing their guilty pleasures.
Director Biography – Aidan Grossman, Abhinay Jakhar
Abhinay Jakhar is a filmmaker and actor with a background in film directing from the New York Film Academy and additional training from UCLA Extension. His previous short film was selected for the prestigious ASCF Festival. With experience in acting and directing, Abhinay combines a strong storytelling sensibility with a passion for crafting visually compelling narratives.
Born in Toronto, Aidan Grossman is an actor, filmmaker, and cinematographer with a strong dedication to creating visually compelling, innovative works. He has proudly created and starred in award-winning projects such as “Drummer Boy” (2020), “Seabreeze” (2021), and “Elle” (2024), while he has served as Director of Photography on captivating short films such as “Maybe Tomorrow” (2025) and “The Nook” (2025).
Director Statement
Although delivered in a dark, titillating package, “Guilty Pleasures” is ultimately an exploration of weird, twisty bits that we all have inside of us. This film takes a seemingly trivial and lighthearted event — discussing our day-to-day guilty pleasures — and flips it on its head, turning it into a dark comedy.
But while it’s thrilling and comical, it’s also relatable. At some time or another, most people experience a moment where things get a little too weird to take seriously. We also have a tendency to judge others for their quirks and inner demons, sometimes turning a blind eye to our own eccentricities in the process. “Guilty Pleasures” pokes fun at the uncomfortable situations we find ourselves in (especially while dating!) while also drawing attention to the hypocrisy many of us harbor.
Aesthetically, the film still starts out with a slightly more Hallmark feel, but we decided to commit to a more disturbing tone throughout the film instead of playing up the humor. To achieve this, we took a more intimate and unnerving approach to the cinematography. The aesthetic shift mirrors the characters’ descent into chaos, which is exactly what makes the dark comedy work: that surprising contrast.
We hope that viewers will laugh, but in a “what did I just watch?” kind of way. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions—one minute you’re laughing, and the next, you’re wondering if you should be laughing at all. All the while, you may be starting to wonder if someone has ever looked at you the way these characters look at each other… What strange and dark parts of yourself have others flagged that you might not be aware of?
This film plays with genre conventions in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously, so expect some oddball humor mixed with suspense. It’s a fun ride from start to finish—dark, quirky, and definitely not your average guilty pleasure.
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0 चाय (chai)
Animated using all natural materials, चाय (chai) showcases my family’s chai recipe and the significance behind our healing ritual, all while demonstrating its importance using my Dadaji’s wise words to me.
Director Biography – Venya Luthra
Venya Arshia Luthra is a hard-working Experimental Animation student at OCADU (Ontario College of Arts and Design University) in Toronto, Canada. Although learning different mediums of animation, she loves to express her stories through stop-motion animation. She hopes to pursue a career in the animation industry after receiving her BFA.
Director Statement
My work is cross-dicipinary, though I hope to focus mainly on different modes of animation. In particular, my more current works are stop-motion animation as I try to develop more skill in this artistry.
Furthermore, I am an advocate for representation in the media, amplifying voices that have been overlooked and ignored in the conversation. I have this passion from my personal experiences of looking for representation in the media I consume, especially as a woman of colour. I resonate with the feeling of being represented and hope to continue this in my career, diversifying the animation on screen and behind it.
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0 Nanoo Knows Best
A 3-minute animated short blending 2D and stop-motion, telling an absurd yet heartfelt tale of love, memory, and mangoes during a zombie apocalypse. Inspired by my bond with my Pakistani grandmother, Nanoo, it captures a surreal moment of connection in a crumbling world.
Director Biography – Raahim Tariq
Raahim Tariq is a 2D Animator & Multimedia Designer from Pakistan who recently completed his BFA with Honours and a Distinction from OCAD University in Toronto. He majored in Experimental Animation. Within the trajectory of learning and experimenting with different types of animations from 2D to 3D, as well as stop motion, he has developed a passion for 2D animation. He enjoys creating whimsical and fantastical characters, exploring humor-filled stories, and mainly promoting stories about being Pakistani and his identity, and in doing so, he tries to bring brown culture to the mainstream, so it may lead to the acceptance and respect for brown culture. Furthermore, his exploration entails using color symbolism and materiality within his animations to support displaying a deeper message. He hopes to work in Animated TV Shows/ Cartoons as well as create animated adverts for companies. While he is majoring in animation, he has a background in graphic design, illustration, and traditional art, which has led him to work and make campaign posters and article illustrations for nonprofit organizations in Pakistan, designing logos and menus for restaurants, and showcasing his work in exhibitions and winning awards.
Director Statement
The film combines two distinct animation styles. The main characters and world are presented in 2D animation, using blood flat colors and geometric shapes. The zombies, however, are animated using stop-motion, texturally and tonally separating the “imaginary” from the “real.”
Ultimately, this film is a love letter to grandmothers, to mangoes, and the chaotic beauty of South Asian storytelling. It captures the feeling of being a kid and believing every wild tale your elders told you, no matter how impossible, because when Nanoo speaks, you listen, even if it means you go through a field filled with zombies
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0 Twist
An panda cub faces off against a stubborn jar of strawberry jam. Who will emerge victorious in this tussle?
Director Biography – Anoop Pillai
Born in Kerala, India, Anoop has lived in various parts of the world such as Mumbai, Dubai, Dammam, Manama, and most recently in Toronto. Alongside actively working on his own projects, he also assists fellow filmmakers in bringing their visions to life. Anoop’s second project, ‘TP Tango’, received two awards, including one for ‘Best Director’.
Anoop has a diverse portfolio. He has worked on over 10 projects, writing and directing six of them, which are currently in various stages of production. These include animation and live-action short films, as well as a feature project. He has also directed 2 French short films. He fondly recalls starting as a photographer and writing short stories on his personal blog, which sparked his passion for writing and directing.
Beyond films, Anoop has ventured into literary work, having authored three children’s picture books titled ‘Pinky-Boo and Gumberstonz Stories’, available on Amazon and other online platforms.
Director Statement
“Twist” is a short animation for younger children aged 3 to 8 years. The story centers around friendship and the message that we all need a helping hand at times.
In the film, a young panda cub wrestles with a stubborn jar of strawberry jam. The story captures her determination to open it and the timely help she receives in getting through this.
Growing up, I was captivated by classic cartoons like Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes. Creating an engaging animated short has always been on my bucket list, and with Twist, I’m thrilled to bring that dream to life.
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0 The Green room
A nervous comic’s night spirals into chaos when his jokes are stolen, his girlfriend kicks him out of her apartment, and a call from home delivers devastating news just as he’s about to take the stage
Director Biography – Shashank Banawalikar Subhash
Born in Mumbai and raised in Bangalore, Shashank is a multidisciplinary artist whose journey spans architecture, Art, stand-up comedy, and filmmaking. His early experiments with mixed media art fostered a strong visual instinct, which later merged seamlessly with his narrative pursuits.
While studying architecture, Shashank discovered a deep passion for comedy, performing stand-up by night while navigating design projects by day. When the pandemic paused live performances, he shifted to filmmaking, using the camera as his new canvas. This transition led him to Toronto, where he formally trained as a filmmaker and began refining his voice as a writer-director.
His short film “Dosa”, a sharp Crime-comedy, earned awards and recognition on the international festival circuit, establishing him as a filmmaker with a distinct point of view. His Upcoming film, “The Green Room”, is an ambitious single-take short film that blends theatre, stand-up, and cinema. With this project, Shashank pushes the creative limits of short-form storytelling, experimenting with real-time narrative, precise choreography, and emotional pacing to explore themes of identity, vulnerability, and performance.
Now based in Toronto, Shashank continues to balance his work as a filmmaker with performing stand-up comedy. Across mediums, his goal remains the same: to tell honest, layered, and visually compelling stories with humor and heart.
Director Statement
As a first-generation immigrant, filmmaker, painter, and stand-up comedian, I’ve spent a lot of time balancing performance and vulnerability and figuring out what it means to be seen. The Green Room captures those moments, minutes before showtime, when nerves, anticipation, and self-doubt collide. Designed to feel like a single continuous take, the film lets you experience the energy, tension, and humor of life on stage, drawn from moments I’ve lived both on and off the comedy stage.
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0 ME | HER
Reuniting a decade later, two friends navigate the delicate dance of reconciliation, rekindling old flames, and confronting the weight of regret over unresolved emotions from their shared past.
Director: Jaskaran Singh
With an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a graduate of Sheridan College’s Advanced Television and Film program, Jaskaran Singh served as Head Writer and Creative Director for UofT’s campus media channel. Founding Paradox Lost, he aims to leverage his distinctive voice to craft narratives often overlooked, striving to write, direct, and produce stories that deserve a platform.
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0 Brown Guys Do – Pirates
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.
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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 Leeches
Leeches
Toronto Premiere
Director: Payal Sethi
Duration: 20 Minutes
Synopsis: In the Old City of Hyderabad, Raisa hatches a dangerous plan to save her younger sister from becoming a one-day bride when she finds an archaic remedy that could restore a girl’s virginity.
Director: Payal Sethi
AWARDS:
Brussels Short Film Festival 2016 – Best Short Film
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2016 – Honorable Mention – Best Performance in a Short Film
Indian Film Festival, Stuttgart 2016
International Women’s Film Festival Seoul 2016 – Audience Award
Zanzibar International Film Festival 2016 – Best Dhow Film
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0 Interview
Interview
Director: Ryan Kayet
Duration: 19:00 Minutes
Synopsis:
An eager applicant walks into the pivotal interview of his career. When the employer rejects him before it begins, the young man shows him just how tenacious he can be.
Director: Ryan Kayet
Director
Ryan is an up-and-coming filmmaker that excels as a screenwriter, director, and producer. After receiving high praise for his thesis film, Lurker, Ryan co-founded Riverlife Productions with a desire to focus on strong character driven narratives. He has directed the bravoFACT funded short film One Day at a Time, based on the award winning Canadian play Cancer Can’t Dance Like This, and several music videos that have been featured on Much Music and many online websites. Interview, a dramatic short about race, power, and the importance of choosing your words carefully, was funded by the Ontario Arts Council and has just begun the festival circuit. His most recent project, Cancel the F—ING Internet, is a comedic short that has just completed.
Dave Gibson – Producer
Dave is an accomplished creative and corporate media producer. His first project was the acclaimed student film Lurker, which lead him to co-found Riverlife Productions in 2008 and he has never looked back. Working in corporate media, Dave has obtained ample experience in the planning and execution of video production. His work has gained him considerable respect in the community, and has lead to him becoming a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award recipient in 2012. The leadership and project management skills he has developed have enabled him to produce powerful short films and music videos. His video Where Would I Be has been featured in publications like Urbanology Magazine. He has also produced for broadcast, such as his bravoFACT funded short film Cancer Can’t Dance Like This: One Day at a Time for bravo in 2010 and One in Eleven for Much Music in 2012. More recently, Dave produced the short film All for Davey which was a finalist in the 48 Hour Film Project and produced the Ontario Arts Council funded short film Interview which is currently on the festival circuit.
Ahsan Butt – Writer
Ahsan Butt is a writer and essayist. His first two screenplays were official selections of the Toronto International Teen Movie Festival in 2002, while his short fiction and essays have appeared, or are forthcoming, in The Offing, The James Franco Review, Eclectica Magazine, LitroNY, as well as The Monarch Review. Recently, he acted as Fiction Editor for an issue of The James Franco Review, a literary magazine focused on the visibility of marginalized writers, especially those who are not James Franco. Ahsan was born in Toronto, is of Pakistani descent, and currently lives in Los Angeles.
Richard Young – Lead Actor
Richard Young is an actor who most recently acted opposite Sir Derek Jacobi
in the feature The History of Love, based on the internationally bestselling novel. His acting credits include The Strain, Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, Degrassi, Mayday, the digital series MsLabelled (Shaftesbury/Smokebomb) and the feature English Butler Masala Chai (Vision TV). Richard is also a co-creator/writer/actor on the Bell Media OMNI/Rogers digital Kung Fu series Sudden Master, and he produced/wrote/acted in the digital series Off2Kali, featuring a who’s who of Canadian talent such as Colin Mochrie (Who’s Line Is ItAnyway?), Charlotte Hegele (Bomb Girls), Huse Madhavji (Saving Hope) and Katie Boland (Reign). Off2Kali was profiled by CBC’s Punchline and screened at the ReelWorld, Filmi and Toronto Web Festivals. In theatre, Richard is an alumnus of the Nightwood Theatre Emerging Actor Program, was part of the Second City’s Educational and Family Companies, and performed to sold-out audiences across the country in the touring romantic-comedy play 30 Dates.
Twitter: @RichardYoungRY
Charlie Ebbs –Lead Actor
A founding member of the stage and TV comedy group, Ottawa Sketch, Charlie has appeared in over 25 film and television shows including Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal (2013), Crook (2014), and Tell the World (2015), as well as his television appearances in Hard Rock Medical (TVO),192 (BRAVO), Real Detective (CTV), and Best Laid Plans (CBC), amongst others. With his professional partner, Rachelle Casseus, he wrote and co-produced two successful short films, The Hold Up (2012) which premiered in Los Angeles at the Hollyshorts Film Festival, and The Buckley Brothers (2014), which won Best Comedy at the 2014 Lady Filmmakers Fest in Los Angeles, California. Charlie also has numerous stage credits and is a member of the NW9 Theatre Collective an Ottawa-based professional ensemble. Self-employed as a photographer and writer for over 25 years, and more recently as an actor, Charlie has spent his life defying the idea of ‘don’t quit your day job’
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23rd Filmi: Toronto's South Asian Film Festival Dec 6-7 2025 
