Bollywood might be the largest film industry in the world, but its big-budget musical melodramas aren’t the only films being produced in India. Indian filmmakers are a multi-faceted lot, and they churn out movies in every genre imaginable.
The same can be said for Indo-Canadian filmmakers, actors, and actresses, whether they’re recent arrivals or the offspring of immigrants. It’s not all Bollywood, all the time.
Vancouver’s South Asian filmmaking community (in all its nuanced glory) will be out in force at this weekend’s Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF).
When Agam Darshi – a busy actress (Sanctuary; Played) and filmmaker who splits her time between Vancouver and Los Angeles – founded VISAFF with fellow actress Patricia Isaac a few years back, the goal was to break South Asian stereotypes and bridge the gap between the community’s filmmakers and mainstream audiences.
This year’s one-day VISAFF will build upon on these founding goals, says Darshi in a recent phone chat.
“Over the last few years, we’ve talked a lot about breaking boundaries and stereotypes, and we feel like we’ve exhausted that conversation,” says Darshi. “Now it’s more about, ‘let’s create a network, let’s create a community, and actually bring people together.’”
The jam-packed schedule for VISAFF features an hour of short films, including Coconut by Nimisha Mukerji, Served Cold by Mandeep Sandhu, Coffee Cup by Sonny Sran, Shame by Summer Pervez, and the Vancouver premiere of Darshi’s directorial debut, Fade Out.
There’s also a workshop about what it takes to survive as an actor in Vancouver; a class in Meisner Technique; an industry panel featuring Judy Lee (casting director), Paul Dhillon (writer/director), Mandeep Sandhu (filmmaker, Sand Dune Entertainment), Paul Armstrong (producer), and other showbiz insiders; and ample opportunities for networking.
“Hopefully people will come wanting to discuss their ideas and move on them,” says Darshi, who produces and stars in the web series LaLaLand in Real Time. “Let’s get our stories out there.”
The Fourth Annual Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival takes place Nov. 30 in the World Art Centre at SFU Woodwards. For schedule information, visit VISAFF2014.com.
