SAFFM: A Decade of Diversity. Showcasing independent films from South Asia and beyond.

South Asian Film Festival of Montréal (SAFFM) is committed to showcasing new artistic work that fosters discussions and explores the world we inhabit. The Festival hopes to be a platform for filmmakers worldwide whose films have a focus on South Asia, with pertinence to Canadian democratic values and leading to civilized discussions and reconciliation of multiple points of views.

A Mosaic of Cultural Expressions

The festival is a symphony of languages, showcasing films in a multitude of national and regional dialects from the participating countries, along with English. This linguistic diversity is a testament to our commitment to cultural representation and inclusivity.

The festival showcases films with subtitles in English and French, in keeping with its inclusive ethos

SAFFM annually bestows prestigious awards to commend exceptional contributions to cinematic brilliance. The festival’s coveted honors include the Best Feature Fiction, recognizing captivating storytelling; the Best Feature Documentary, celebrating profound insights into reality; the Best Short Fiction, honoring concise narrative artistry; and the Best Short Documentary, highlighting the potency of succinct storytelling. These awards not only acknowledge outstanding filmmakers but also enrich the global cinematic landscape, fostering a spirit of artistic exploration and cultural appreciation. Join us in applauding these remarkable talents who contribute to the vibrant tapestry of storytelling at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal.

Best Feature Fiction

Best Feature Documentary

Best Short Fiction

Best Short Documentary

Audience Choice Awards

Jury Short Films

Binita Mehta is Professor of French Emerita at Manhattanville College where she taught courses in French language, literature, and film. She is passionate about cinema, especially French-language cinema. She has also written articles and given talks on films by South Asian diasporic filmmakers.

Ghazala Amin is a former Associate Professor in History at Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University. She has acted in feature films and television films. A prime-time news anchor on Doordarshan Television channel, she was the presenter for the Asian programme on BBC Television and did over 1600 radio programmes for the BBC during her three-year stint in England between 1984-87.

Ridhima Mehra is Co-Founder and Director of Rough Edges, which enables, mentors and produces feminist and queer documentary films, foregrounding the distinct voices of women, trans and queer artists. She draws on almost two decades of experiences at the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, India’s largest documentary body, co-leading the commissioning, creative realisation, curation and outreach of close to 700 films, diverse in artistic form, subject and authorship.

Sameea Jamil is a Professor of Media Studies with a focus on International Communications and media content creation, particularly in film. Her work examines the impact of media on cross-border cultures. Sameea has been instrumental in initiating media programs at several colleges and universities. Her research continues to explore the role of media in society and its influence on power politics.

Binita Mehta

Ghazala Amin

Ridhima Mehra

Sameea Jamil

Jury Award for Short Fiction

Jury Award for Short Documentary

Jury Feature Documentary

Mathieu Boisvert is a professor at the Department of Religious Studies of the Université du Québec à Montréal. Since 2012, his research interests are oriented towards the hijra (“transgender”) communities in South Asia. Boisvert is one of the co-directors of India and its Avatars: Pluralities of an Emerging Power.

Rahila Bootwala is a Montreal-based film producer and director. She has worked on international co-productions in different capacities as an associate, executive and finally into a film producer. Her most recent project is the well acclaimed documentary Women Beyond Bollywood, which she has both produced and directed.

Mathieu Boisvert

Rahila Bootwala

Jury Award for Feature Documentary

Jury Feature Fiction

Ali Kazimi is a Full Professor in the Department of Cinema and Media Arts at York University and an award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores race, social justice, migration, history, and memory. In 2019, he received Canada’s highest artistic honour—the Governor General’s Award for Visual and Media Arts—and an honorary Doctor of Letters from UBC.

Arnab Banerjee is a journalist who has explored the spectrum of contemporary media practice over two decades. He has worked extensively with some of India’s most eminent national dailies, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, and Mail Today. His editorial footprint spans cinema, music, the arts, and cultural discourse.

Ridhima Mehra is Co-Founder and Director of Rough Edges, which enables, mentors and produces feminist and queer documentary films, foregrounding the distinct voices of women, trans and queer artists. She draws on almost two decades of experiences at the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, India’s largest documentary body, co-leading the commissioning, creative realisation, curation and outreach of close to 700 films, diverse in artistic form, subject and authorship.

Ali Kazimi

Arnab Banerjee

Ridhima Mehra

Jury Award for Feature Fiction

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