Festival Focus
The International Film Festival in South Asia Toronto, returned in the 14th edition from October 9-19, brings a spotlight on the voices of South Asia, Canada and Afghanistan, paying tribute to film legends Peterbrook and Guldat.
The fest begins with the Canadian premiere of Songs of the Sama by Berlin Ash Ash Ash Ash the Loya Sadat, starring Tiltama Schaum. Afghan filmmaker Sadat will lead a “Storytelling in the Changing Land” masterclass with fellow filmmakers Mozda Jamalzada, Aziz Dildal and Talike Quyumi.
IFFSA 2025 praises visionary director Peter Brook in a presentation of “Mahabharata” introduced by his son Simon Brook. The festival also marks Guru Datt’s centenary, commemorating the unusual theatrical presentation of “Piasa,” Anupsing Singh’s “Poems of Shadows” appreciation event, musical tribute “The Longing of Echo,” and immersive installation “Chiaroscuro dreams.”
The Canadian premiere includes Eisha Marjara’s “Calories” and Baljit Sangra’s “Have you heard of Judy Singh?” Ashbalma’s “Digifiction.” Programming will include over 100 premiers and 40 events at the Greater Area venues in the Toronto area.
“IFFSA Toronto has become its bloated home for cinemas in South Asia,” said festival director Sunny Gill.
A journey of examination
The 30th Busan International Film Festival announced 15 ju umpires in five major award categories ahead of the event on September 17th-26th.
The ju-dean of the New Currents Award recognizes emerging Asian filmmakers with a KRW 2,000 million ($14,400) prize money, featuring variety critics Jessica Kiang, Georgian Director Alexandre Koberidze (“What do you see when you look at the sky?”) and South Korea’s Helmer Oh Seung UK (“Revolver”).
The documentary Biff Mecenat Award includes journalist college maker Ito Shiori (“Black Box Diaries”), director Kim Mire (“Sanda”), and senior programmer Basil Tsiokos at Sundance. Thai director Ratchahum Boonbanchakok, who won the Cannes Critics’ Grand Prize for 2025 “Useful Ghosts,” will join the Songjae Prize ju apprentice alongside The Young Ju (“Tweet”) and Taiwanese film director Lee Hong-Chi.
The NetPac Awards judges feature producer Diana Ashimova, Baek Jaeho (“Citizen Roh”), chairman of the Korean Independent Film & Video Association, and producer Teng Lee Yein. The justices at the Fipresci Award include critics Narendra Bandebe and Sofia Ferrero Callega and Professor Kim Mee-hyun of Songkinkan Kwang University.
The simultaneous 20th Asian Content and Film Market will be held from September 20th to 23rd.
