Shabana shines
the South Asian International Film Festival (IFFSA) Toronto 2024 to Honor 'Halo' and 'Fire' Stars Shabana AzmyThe festival, which is in its 13th edition and runs from October 10 to 20, has been running for five decades. The festival’s tribute programme includes a screening of Shyam Benegal’s film “Mandi”, master classes and a musical celebration titled “Shub-e-Sur”.
The festival will include premieres and events with industry figures including: Excellent, Deepa Mehta, Iranian Bowman and Anoop SinghThe festival will open with the Canadian premiere of “The Mehta Boys,” the Iranian director’s film co-written with Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris. Ali’s Netflix film “Amar Singh Chamkila” will also be screened in theaters, followed by a keynote lecture and a musical event called “Chamkila Night.”
The assortment includes Payal KapadiaThe festival will screen Madhumita’s “All We Imagine as Light” and Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur’s “Kalidar Lapatta”. The festival will also screen films by Srijit Mukherjee, Lisa Ghazi and Kushal Oza. Canadian cinema will be represented by Durga Cheo Bose’s “Bonjour Tristes” and Shadab Khan’s “I Am Not a Queen”. Documentaries include Gurvinder Singh’s “Trolley Times” and “The Challenge: Fighting the Far Right”. The festival will close with Kishore P. Pelekar’s “Gandhi Talks”.
The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival will offer classes and workshops, including an acting workshop led by festival ambassador Anoop Singh. The festival will launch the 2024/25 Toronto International Film Festival Talent Fund for emerging filmmakers.
“This year’s celebration will be a vibrant tribute to the rich heritage of South Asian cinema, featuring unforgettable moments, insightful dialogues and a profound tribute to the icons who have shaped our cinematic world,” said Sunny Gill, Festival Director.
Star of the show
Tony Award Nominee Keala Settle The musical Fly More Than You Fall will have its UK premiere at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant, running from October 18 to November 23. Written by Eric Holmes and Nat Zegre, the musical is about a young girl dealing with her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
“I am so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful and heartwarming story,” said Settle, also known for her role as the Bearded Lady in “The Greatest Showman.” “It is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, compassion and the freedom that lies within us all.”
Tony and Olivier Award winner Mark David Levine is producing, with Christian Durham directing. The creative team includes George Rancum (assistant director), Heather Douglas (movement director), and Daniel Edmonds (musical arrangement).
