DESI DIARY

IFFSA CELEBRATES A DIVERSITY OF SOUTH ASIAN VOICES

Late Bloomer is a comedy drama created by Jasmeet Raina.

The International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto returns for its 14th edition, October 9 -19, reaffirming its place as a global stage for South Asian cinema in all its cultural authenticity – layered, unflinching, and alive.

Featuring a stellar line-up of over 100 premieres and 40 events, this year promises to be one of the festival’s most dynamic editions yet.

The festival opens with Berlinale-acclaimed Shadowbox by Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, starring Tillotama Shome, alongside Roya Sadat’s internationally celebrated Sima’s Song. Shome’s presence imbues the festival with an arthouse tour de force, while Sadat further anchors the Afghan spotlight through her Storytelling in a Shifting Land masterclass, joined by filmmakers Mozhdah Jamalzadah, Aziz Dildar, and Tarique Quyumi, in a program of immersive events that includes the evocative musical evening Echoes of Her Voice.

IFFSA 2025 commemorates the centenary of Guru Dutt, India’s most lyrical cinematic poet, with a curated journey of remembrance featuring a rare theatrical screening of Pyaasa, Anup Singh’s film appreciation event Poetry of Shadows, the evocative musical tribute Echoes of Longing and the immersive installation Chiaroscuro Dreams. The festival honours the legendary Peter Brook with a landmark presentation of his monumental film The Mahabharata, introduced by his son Simon Brook – a reflection on a work that forever reshaped theatre and cinema on a global scale.

Canadian cinema resonates strongly at IFFSA 2025, with premieres including Eisha Marjara’s Calorie, Baljit Sangra’s Have You Heard Judi Singh?, and Ash Varma’s Desi Fiction. Alongside these premieres, IFFSA celebrates acclaimed storytellers Anar Ali (CBC’s Allegiance) and Jasmeet Raina (Crave’s Late Bloomer), reaffirming the emergence of South Asian narratives at the centre of Canadian screen culture.

Roya Sadat’s internationally-celebrated Sima’s Song.

The festival’s lineup continues IFFSA’s tradition of bold programming with Natesh Hegde’s Berlinale-acclaimed Tiger’s Pond (presented by Anurag Kashyap), Pradipta Bhattacharyya’s Rotterdam-favourite The Slow Man and His Raft, Gurudatha Ganiga’s Karavali starring Prajwal Devaraj and Raj B. Shetty, Proshoon Rahmaan’s The Roots, and Rajee Samarasinghe’s searing doc-feature Your Touch Makes Others Invisible.

Through the IFFSA Film Summit (October 11, 12, and 18), convening filmmakers, storytellers, and industry leaders, participate in dialogue, knowledge exchange, and opportunity development to shape the future of South Asian and Canadian screen storytelling.

“IFFSA Toronto has become the home where South Asian cinema lives in its fullness,” said Sunny Gill, Festival Director. “What excites me about this year is the way the festival moves between memory and momentum – honouring the masters while amplifying new voices that are reshaping how South Asian stories are seen and heard in Canada and across the world.”

IFFSA Toronto is the largest South Asian film organization in North America, dedicated to the development, promotion, and celebration of South Asian cinematic arts in Canada. It plays a vital role in shaping the narrative of the South Asian Canadian experience through the medium of film, supported by its year-round activities.

A scene from Calorie.

IFFSA Toronto showcases a diverse and language-independent selection of the finest films from around the world, exploring themes of South Asian cultures and identities. In addition to screenings, the festival hosts grand gala celebrations, red carpet premieres, musical performances, interactive audience sessions, forums, panel discussions, workshops, masterclasses, and vibrant networking opportunities. A cornerstone of this vision is the IFFSA Film Summit, a dynamic industry platform that convenes filmmakers, storytellers, and industry leaders facilitating dialogue, knowledge exchange, and opportunity development to shape the future of South Asian and Canadian screen storytelling.

Both established luminaries and emerging talents – including film stars, cultural icons, and industry professionals – attend the festival. The highly festive and interactive atmosphere brings artistes and audiences together in deeply engaging ways. The programming carefully balances tone and form, creating an entertaining buzz while simultaneously sparking meaningful conversations.

Festival details and passes at iffsatoronto.com.