IFFSA Toronto 2024 to honor Shabana Azmi's 5-decade career
The International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2024 will honor veteran actor Shabana Azmi's five-decade career in its 13th edition, scheduled for October 10-20. The festival's tribute program will include a screening of Shyam Benegal's Mandi, a masterclass, and a musical celebration titled Shab-e-Sur. The event will also feature premieres and interactions with industry figures such as Imtiaz Ali, Deepa Mehta, Boman Irani, and Anup Singh.
Festival lineup includes diverse range of films
Irani's directorial debut The Mehta Boys, co-written by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris, will open the festival with its Canadian premiere. Ali's Netflix film Amar Singh Chamkila will be screened theatrically, followed by a masterclass and a "Chamkila Night" musical event. The festival lineup also includes Payal Kapadia's Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light and Madhumita's Kaalidhar Laapata featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur.
Other notable films and events at the festival
Films from directors Srijit Mukherji, Leesa Gazi, and Kaushal Oza will be showcased at the festival. Canadian cinema will be represented by Durga Chew-Bose's Bonjour Tristesse and Shadab Khan's I Am No Queen. The festival will also feature documentary films such as Gurvinder Singh's Trolley Times and Defiance: Fighting the Far Right. Kishor P. Belekar's Gandhi Talks will close the festival.
IFFSA Toronto 2024 to offer masterclasses and workshops
In addition to film screenings, IFFSA Toronto 2024 will host masterclasses and workshops, including an acting workshop led by festival ambassador Singh. The festival will also launch the IFFSA Talent Fund 2024/25 for emerging filmmakers. Festival director Sunny Gill said, "This year's celebration will be a vibrant tribute to the rich legacy of South Asian cinema, marked by unforgettable moments, insightful dialogues, and a profound homage to the icons who have shaped our cinematic world."
