Payal Kapadia, Neeraj Churi, Subhadra Mahajan Among Talent Behind SASO, IFFSA-Backed South Asian Toronto Market Projects (EXCLUSIVE)
South Asian Screen Office of Canada, IFFSA Toronto and Storiculture have selected eight South Asian feature projects for South Asian Screen Futures, an initiative connecting filmmakers with financiers and industry partners at the Toronto Film Festival’s inaugural market. The programme highlights emerging and established talent with links to major festivals, including Payal Kapadia, Neeraj Churi and Subhadra Mahajan, and aims to increase industry access for South Asian-led projects.
The slate includes projects from Canada and India, as well as “Unbraided”, a Saudi Arabia–Netherlands–Canada co-production. Stories range from grief and family belief in “A Varnam in Silence” to widowhood in “Moh”, LGBTQ+ adolescence in “Pink City Skies”, a polyandrous Himalayan family in “Soma Helang”, addiction recovery through cricket in “Lefty”, and social change in Saudi Arabia in “Unbraided”; several filmmakers and producers have recent Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, BAFTA or Emmy recognition.
In short
- Eight South Asian film projects join Toronto’s new industry-market initiative.
- The slate brings together Canadian, Indian and international co-productions.
- Selected talent includes festival-recognised filmmakers and producers.
Explained simply
The Toronto International Film Festival is a major annual film event, and its market brings filmmakers together with potential financiers and industry partners. South Asian Screen Futures is a programme run by the South Asian Screen Office of Canada, IFFSA Toronto and Storiculture to help South Asian-led feature projects make those connections.
The eight selected projects come from Canada and India, with one co-production involving Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and Canada. Their stories include family, grief, LGBTQ+ adolescence, addiction recovery and social change, while the filmmakers include Payal Kapadia, Neeraj Churi and Subhadra Mahajan.
The programme is designed to widen industry access for projects and creators with South Asian links. Some participants have previously received recognition at film festivals and awards, including Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, the BAFTAs and the Emmys.
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