VISAFF 2019 Kicks Off With Bang Focusing Diversity

VISAFF 2019 Kicks Off With Bang Focusing Diversity

Surrey, November 14, 2019: Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival Kicks Off With Bang. The opening of VISAFF 2019 kicks off with a red carpet affair, cocktails and canapes, and inspired conversation. The gala included dinner and a screening of The Illegal – Danish Renzu a grittily realistic story about a young film school student from middle-class India who’s forced to drop out to support his family while staying in the United States as an Undocumented worker.

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The VISAFF 2019 Opening Gala took place on Thursday, November 14 at 6 pm. The program included a pre-reception with cocktails and appetizers, the North American premiere of Ada Chamach and The Illegal. VISAFF producer and show host Mannu Sandhu says,

“As VISAFF returns for its 9th year, I feel proud of our festival team for the amazing curation films, line-up industry events, and workshops organized for the creative community this year.”

Actor Iqbal Theba and director Of The Illegal Danish Renzu were the main guests for the event. The night was starred by many celebrities and many political bodies were present to support the event including MP Randeep S. Sarai, Stephen Dooley ( Executive Director, SFU), and Honourable Salma Ataullahjan (Senator- Ontario).

The theme for VISAFF was focused on Global South Asian stories. Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival celebrates stories usually not represented by mainstream cinema or contemporary Bollywood film formulas. Features, shorts, web series, music videos, and documentaries, all chosen to engage, educate and inspire audiences by promoting free expression, cross-cultural interactions and understanding, and combating intolerance and stereotypes.

VISAFF originated in 2008 to “bridge the gap” between South Asian talent and mainstream audiences by connecting directors, actors, producers, community organizations, corporate brands, and South Asian cinephiles.

VISAFF 2019 is themed related to South Asia and its Diaspora. Specifically, it promotes diverse stories of South Asians through films from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the global South Asian Diaspora.