EXCLUSIVE: Canada‘s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) has unveiled its lineup. The festival will take place in Surrey, British Columbia and run from September 25 to 29.
Featuring 19 world premieres, eight North American premieres, and 23 Canadian premieres, the festival will open with Lakshmipriya Devi’s debut feature Boong. Boong will have its world premiere at TIFF on September 7.
The iSAFF’s closing film will be Amar Wala’s debut feature Shook, which stars Saamer Usmani (Succession, Inventing Anna, Three Body Problem) and Amy Forsyth (CODA). The Canadian production is financed by Telefilm Canada and Ontario Creates.
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Under this year’s festival theme of “Crossroads,” the lineup also includes Usman Riaz’s The Glassworker, the festival’s first animated feature from Pakistan and dark comedy We Strangers, directed by Anu Valia (Dropout, Jake and Amir).
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Besides feature films, the festival will showcase 53 short films and five episodic series from South Asia and its diaspora.
The festival has also partnered with the South Asian Film Festival of America (SAFFA), presented by Product of Culture, to curate a program of short films titled “It’s A Bold World.” This selection highlights South Asian queer and female characters who challenge and redefine stereotypes.
The festival’s industry program includes a talk with the creatives behind CBC’s hit TV series Allegiance, as well as another panel with actress Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) and actor Suraj Sharma (Life of Pi, Gulmohar).
“This year is incredibly exciting for us,” said Pulkit Datta, iSAFF’s Artistic Director. “It’s a time of growth and innovation, where we’re fine-tuning our curation under the ‘Crossroads’ theme. We’re exploring the intersections of South Asian stories and talent with diverse backgrounds and industries. Our goal is not just to screen films but to nurture careers and enrich the local industry, offering our filmmakers opportunities beyond the festival.”
Mannu Sandhu, iSAFF Festival Producer said: “We’ve made incredible strides in a short period. We are honored to have RBC, and Warner Brothers Discovery Access as key sponsors. Our submissions doubled this year, and we’ve significantly expanded our year-round programming through collaborations with major industry players such as Lark Productions, StoryHive, Bentonville Film Festival, and VC Film Festival in LA, among others. With this year’s expansion, we’re able to offer more innovative programming, attract a greater range of talent, and strengthen our relationship with our home City of Surrey.”
AGENT OF HAPPINESS
Bhutan/Hungary, documentary feature
British Columbia Premiere
Director – Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó
Amber, a happiness agent, travels the Bhutanese Himalayas surveying people’s happiness. On his remote mountain journey, he searches for fulfillment.
BOONG
India, scripted feature
British Columbia Premiere
Director – Lakshmipriya Devi
For 8-year old Boong, bringing his father back would be the most special gift for his mother. But his search culminates into an unexpected gift – a new beginning.
DEAR JASSI
India, scripted feature
British Columbia Premiere
Director – Tarsem Singh Dhandwar
In 1996 Punjab, India, Canadian-born Indian girl Jassi falls in love with Mithu, a rickshaw driver. Their attraction is pure and unconditional, but is it strong enough to fight the dictates imposed by Jassi’s family and Punjabi society?
THE GLASSWORKER
Pakistan/Spain/US, scripted feature
North American Premiere
Director – Usman Riaz
An across the tracks love story in a war-torn divided country.
GUNJAL
Pakistan, scripted feature
Canadian Premiere
Director – Shoaib Sultan
Journalist Shahbaz Bhatti uncovers child labor’s ugly truth while seeking justice for a murdered activist in 1990s Pakistan, transforming from journalist to advocate.
PRIVACY
India/USA, scripted feature
Canadian Premiere
Director – Sudeep Kanwal
A distressed Mumbai surveillance center operator ignores protocol and begins to investigate crimes happening on her watch.
RAY OF HOPE
Canada/Sri Lanka, documentary feature
British Columbia Premiere
Director – Ryan Singh and Nikila Cole
Ray of Hope is a personal journey of an Eelam Tamil Canadian woman who survived the Sri Lankan armed conflict, advocating for others with interspersed stories of healing and triumphs.
SHOOK
Canada, scripted feature
British Columbia Premiere
Director – Amar Wala
Fresh out of grad-school, fledgling writer Ashish (Saamer Usmani) finds that life as an adult isn’t quite what he expected.
WE STRANGERS
USA, scripted feature
Canadian Premiere
Director – Anu Valia
Rayelle Martin, a commercial cleaning woman in Gary, Indiana, stumbles into a new job cleaning the homes of several rich, suburban families. While working, she tells one small lie that spins out of control.