By Firdaus Ali In Toronto
Any guesses were Anurag Kashyap, Sunny Leone and Taapsee Pannu will be next month?
Definitely not in Mumbai. And very much in Toronto!
For a starry lineup of actors and filmmakers are making their way to grace the red carpet in the largest Canadian city and celebrate their work with North American audiences at the upcoming BMO IFFSA Toronto 2023, being held from October 12 to 22.
Well into its 12th year, IFFSA (International Film Festival of South Asia) has become a truly unforgettable Fall Festival experience for cine goers in Toronto. IFFSA Toronto is not just a festival. It’s a play of passion for founder and festival director Sunny Gill.
And this year’s festival guest list includes luminaries such as Anurag Kashyap, Sunny Leone, Taapsee Pannu, Rahul Bhat, Ranjan Singh, Anup Singh, Don Palathara, Naman Ramachandran, and Sami Khan, promising to showcase some of their brilliant cinematic ventures on screens across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Boasting of world-class cinema with captivating narratives that zero in on the humane experience – IFFSA Toronto 2023 makes a comeback this year with an impressive lineup of over 120 films and more than 30 exciting events.
At the heart of the IFFSA Toronto Film Festival are stories. Stories of you and me. And stories that reflect complexities of the human experience, uniting audiences worldwide.
Getting a lot of attention this year is Anurag Kashyap-directed Kennedy, starring Sunny Leone and Rahul Bhat. The film is a neo-noir thriller, which received a standing ovation at the recently- held Cannes Festival.
Other stellar films to watch out for at the festival are: The Braid, a heartwarming drama starring Kim Raver of Grey’s Anatomy fame; Berlin, a nail-biting thriller featuring Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh; Joram, the award-winning film starring Manoj Bajpayee and Pett Kata Shaw; and Aatmapamphlet, a Marathi film directed by Ashish Avinash Bende — all of which are expected to leave an indelible mark on cine audiences this year.
South Asian films are a tapestry of creativity, diversity, and the magic of storytelling. “The festival’s offerings are as diverse as the region it represents, with genres ranging from thought-provoking dramas and heartwarming tales to compelling documentaries and avant-garde films,” adds Gill.
For Gill, who is the driving force behind the festival, the tryst with cinema began way back in India when he watched regional cinema on Doordarshan on lazy Saturday afternoons.
Seeing a wide array of films from India got him excited about cinema. “People need to know that South Asian films are no less on the world stage. I took it upon myself to introduce meaningful films from South Asia to Canadians and this is how my journey began some twelve years ago,” avers Gill.
He carefully handpicks the films for their cross-cultural and sometimes inter-generational themes. Citing the example of The Braid which spans three languages – Hindi, English and Italian. The film opens with three stories running in parallel spaces and is juxtaposed against these is the story of a Sikh boy in a romantic role. “This is the magic of cinema. It knows no boundaries,” he rightfully adds.
Turkish film Zubeyde directed by Cenk Yaz, based on the life of Zübeyde Hanım, the mother of the great Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal and Whipering Mountains, a Sinhala film directed by Jagath Manuwarna are among the many films receiving their gala premiere at the festival.
The highlight of IFFSA Toronto 2023 will undoubtedly be the star-studded premieres, galas, and parties that are poised to dazzle paparazzi and attendees alike. In addition to the captivating screenings, IFFSA Toronto 2023 will host a series of engaging workshops and masterclasses conducted by world renowned filmmakers and industry experts.
“We are perhaps the only festival of its kind, offering workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities to festival attendees, with a vision of creating the next generation of actors and filmmakers. These sessions are a great learning experience for film enthusiasts, who have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from the very best,” adds Gill.
With so much to offer, IFFSA Toronto 2023, in many ways has evolved from being merely a film festival to having the unique vision of building an institution and creating a film legacy that will be available for generations to come.
Over the years, IFFSA Toronto 2023 has become an event that tells you to dream big. And then helps turn those dreams into reality. One film at a time!
For more information, ticketing, and updates about IFFSA Toronto 2023, please visit www.iffsatoronto.com
IFFSA Toronto 2023 has been made possible through the generous support of various sponsors and partners, including Bank of Montreal, Turkish Airlines, Bell Canada, Toronto Star, CBC Toronto, Telefilm, Canada Council for the Arts, Heritage Canada, Ontario Creates, City of Mississauga, Cineplex, and Algoma University. Their invaluable contributions enable IFFSA to deliver an exceptional festival experience that highlights the cultural significance and artistic achievements of South Asian cinema.