Colourful Launch Unveils Massive, Diverse Lineup For IFFSA 2017

The Black Prince directed by Kavi Raz will open The International Film Festival of South Asia- Toronto (IFFSA Toronto).  Starring Satindar Sartaj and Shabana Azmi, the film is a tragic yet fascinating tale about the last king of the mighty Kingdom of Punjab, Maharaja Duleep Singh. Kavi Raz along with Satindar Sartaj will be attending the Canadian Premiere.

Full lineup of this year’s festival was unveiled at a colorful launch event organized at Living Arts Centre, Mississauga. 100+ films and 40+ events will take place from May 11 to 22 during 12 days of continuous excitement.

Widely recognized as the Voice of South Asian Cinema in Canada, IFFSA 2017’s impressive program reflects the rich diversity of South Asian cinema, as well as the future of South Asian filmmaking, with cutting-edge filmmakers bringing their acclaimed films.

Alankrita Shrivastava’s Lipstick Under My Burkha a film that revolves around four small town women, who try to steal a piece of freedom from within the confines of their restrained lives will have its Canadian Premiere at a VIP screening in downtown Toronto.  

Shahrbanoo Sadat’s Wolf and Sheep, set in rural Afghanistan where people are storytellers who make up tales and tell each other tales of mystery and imagination to explain the world in which they live, has already made a splash around the world after winning the CICAE Award at the 2016 Cannes International Film Festival.

Bengali films, the hard hitting Live from Dhaka, by Abdullah Mohammed Saad and the musical The Golden Wing by Bobby Sarma will be making its North American and Canadian premiere respectively. Ananya Kasaravalli’s Chronicles Of Hari, a beautiful film about a renowned theater actor’s struggle with gender identity is also making its Canadian Premiere.

The festival pays tribute to Om Puri, the veteran Bollywood and Hollywood actor, by hosting a special screening of a re-mastered Punjabi classic Chan Pardesi, directed by Chitrartha Singh. This was one of the key films that provided Om Puri the launch pad for his illustrious career.

Amberdeep Singh’s Lahoriye starring Amrinder Gill along with Akshay Roy ‘s Meri Pyari Bindu will have their North American Premieres on May 11 at the festival before these are released worldwide on May 12.