South Asian Film Festival of Montreal- in cinema and online

The South Asian Film Festival of Montréal (SAFF) offers full-length films and shorts in the state-of-the-art De Sève Cinema and free online, along with live Q&As in person and around the world via Zoom. A platform for filmmakers of South Asian origin worldwide, SAFF presents an eclectic choice of inspiring and thought-provoking films relevant to Canadians. With screenings subtitled in both English and French, the festival is vital and engaging. Film enthusiasts can look forward to over 50 movies from eleven countries in a multitude of languages. Short, long, documentary and feature selections are all up for juried awards. Diversity, equity, inclusion and cinematographic merit are driving forces behind the festival’s film choices. Many films are Canadian premieres; audiences are introduced to unique films they would never have the chance to see elsewhere. This is the only South Asian film festival in Quebec. To remain accessible, films are by donation. There is also a festival pass available.

Several hundred films were submitted for competition, selected films received countless awards and nominations. The opening night film is the lauded Shambala. In a Himalayan polyandrous village, newly married and pregnant Pema’s first husband vanishes on the trade route. She embarks on a journey into the unforgiving wilderness which evolves into a quest of self-discovery and liberation. The closing film is the bittersweet coming-of-age story,  Village Rockstars 2. Late-teen Dhunu chases her dream of becoming a musician, but harsh realities allow her to discover a profound connection between music and life.

Film themes are rich and wide-ranging; newsworthy, current topics include: the environment; women’s rights; aging parents; activism; LGBTQ+ issues; the caste system; surveying happiness; free speech; intergenerational trauma of slavery; an homage to single screen cinemas; Tamil culture; the gritty world of cricket; a Midwest community transformed by the Dalai Lama; the social consequences of surviving breast cancer; rice wasting rituals at weddings; founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak’s verses sung in multi-languages; Ravi Shakar’s renowned musician wife Annapurna Devi giving up performing to save her marriage; and First Nation filmmakers’ concern about their communities, among many others. Diverse styles are fiction, documentary, drama, musicals, experimental and humour. Weekend feature films in cinema are paired with shorts. Post-show panels include film professors, critics and other experts in the field, creating a memorable experience for festival goers.

Entries for the 2025 competition are from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, France, Germany, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, UK and the USA. This year the festival includes a series of First Nations films followed by discussion to increase awareness of the Indigenous reality in Canada, take part in the promotion of Truth and Reconciliation, and sensitize South Asian audience members who may be new to the country. Festival organizers aim to create a community connection as certain Indigenous Peoples in South Asia also face poor social conditions.

This 14th edition of the festival continues its presentation of subtitled, world-class films about the lives of South Asians everywhere in languages as varied as Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Nepali, Tamil, Konkani, Kannada, Urdu, Tibetan, Punjabi, Malayalam, Pashto, Bengali, Assamese, English, French and First Nations languages. The festival pass offers admission to all thirteen in-cinema sessions (12 long films and 12 short films).

South Asian Film Festival of Montréal is committed to showcasing new and artistic work that promotes discussion and explores the world; aiming to entertain, inform and empower audiences. The festival holds up a mirror to events happening outside one’s sphere by organizing audience talkbacks with filmmakers and distinguished panelists, leading to the reconciliation of multiple points of view.

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Date and Time

Friday, Apr 25 6:30 p.m. to Saturday, May 10 9 p.m.

Location