Top 10 Reasons to Attend MISAFF16
The Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) runs from August 4th to 7th. This is the fifth year of the festival. The festival features 18 critically acclaimed shorts, feature films and documentaries showcasing the best of South Asian and Middle Eastern contemporary cinema. Diversity dominates the festival’s theme and program with almost half of the films directed by females. The annual film festival runs at the Cineplex Cinemas Mississauga (309 Rathburn Rd. W., Mississauga, Ontario).
“The films aim to build an appreciation for independent cinema and initiate thought-provoking discussion around culture, South Asian heritage and the universal stories which reflect our lives today,” said Arshad Khan, Festival Director. “The inclusive nature of the festival lineup and modern day challenges explored throughout the films offer audiences the chance to experience fresh and courageous perspectives in storytelling and representation on screen.”
The festival kicks off with the red carpet gala screening of the highly acclaimed Indian drama ALIGARH on August 4, directed by Hansal Mehta. Aligarh stars Manoj Bajpayee as Ramchandra Siras and Rajkumar as the journalist Deepu Sebastian. This drama is a biopic of a gay Indian professor who was suspended from the Aligarh Muslim University for his homosexuality. This will be the Canadian premiere screening.
This year, the MISAFF16 Star is awarded to Scarborough native, Varun Saranga, known for his roles on YTV’s “How to Be Indie” and CBC’s “Schitt’s Creek.” Past recipients of this honour include the Emmy Award-winning web series “Guidestones” actor Supinder Wraich and “Degrassi: TNG” actor Raymond Ablack in 2014.
Here’s a list of 10 reasons to make sure you don’t miss out on MISAFF16!
- Pakistani TV icon Marina Khan will be in attendance and perhaps roaming Toronto and Mississauga hot spots!
- Special Presentation of GIRL IN A RIVER, which deals with the topic of honor killings, which has been in the news recently
- World premiere of Toronto based ON AGAIN OFF AGAIN
- Canadian Premiere screening of ALIGARH
- The Festival will be star-studded, who knows who you could bump into!
- Schitt’s Creek star (of upcoming season) Varun Saranga receives MISAFF16 Star Award
- Attending MISAFF16 will give you a chance to appreciate independent cinema
- See the best of new South Asian and Middle Eastern film titles
- Many of the featured films are directed by females, which is a change and nice to see
- Finally, MISAFF16 will leave you with lots of memories, and you’re bound to have loads of fun!
If you don’t live in the area, don’t worry I got you covered. Keep an eye on Fusia.ca
for coverage of the opening gala!
For more information on the festival and film timings visit:
Follow MISAFF16 on
Twitter: @mosaic_misaff #misaff16
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mosaicfilmfest