VISAFF 2015 goes Bollywood and beyond

November 26-29 Vancouver hosts the best of South Asian North American and International Cinema

Vancouver, BC—November 12, 2015 - The 5th Annual Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival (VISAFF) is is pleased to announce the countdown to its celebration of contemporary South Asian cinema from around the world, set for November 27–29 at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts housed in Vancouver's iconic Woodward's complex.

“We are extremely excited for this year’s 5th festival,” stated Jessie Lehail and Mannu Sandhu, Co-Producers of VISAFF 2015. Our programming is a diverse collection of new independent voices all linked by South Asian culture and shine a spotlight on contemporary themesand conversations important to our audiences.This year’s theme includes global Bollywood filmmaking, but also champions local and global independent film creatives and is committed to bridging the gap with mainstream film. Films from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the global South Asian Diaspora will be showcasedand will promote cross-cultural interactions andunderstanding.”

VISAFF 2015 focuses on the theme, Bollywood and beyond with a lineup that invites the celebration of stories that engage, educate and inspire by promoting free expression, cross- cultural interactions, understanding, and combating intolerance and stereotypes. Thefestival’s program includes 20 feature-length and short films of all genres, with English dialogue or English subtitles, from the South Asian diaspora—including two Canadianfeature-length premieres and numerous short film premieres. Organizers anticipate close to 3,500 audience and industry members over the three-day festival.

VISAFF’s opening film is the Canadian premiere of Anurag Kashyap’s dark psychologicalthriller, Ugly. Kashyap is an Indian filmmaker who is connected to critically acclaimed features likeThe Lunchbox, and The Gangs of Wasseypur, Parts 1 and 2. The festival will host theCanadian Premiere, of acclaimed movie, Zubaan, a coming-of-age musical drama about a Punjabiboy whose ambitious circle around becoming a musician. It will also showcase a Pakistani film, Dukhtar, in which a mother sets out to rescue her 10-year-old daughter from anarranged marriage. Other films include Dheeyan Marjania which covers female foeticide and Journey ofa Dream, a feature length ‘rockumentary’ which combines heavy metal music, exile,Buddhism and Tibetanculture.

A workshop and film panel featuring the esteemed Anurag Kashyup will furtherconnect directors, actors, producers, community organizations, sponsorship partners and SouthAsian cinephiles. Focused on professional development the workshop and film panel willoffer business networking, offering insight to current industry topics and the increasinglyglobal diverse filmmaking, post production, digital entertainment and distribution landscape. Anadded bonus creative breakfast will help to “bridge the gap” between mainstream and South Asianfilm communities. VISAFF is generously supported by leading sponsors, community and media partners. Outside of the festival, VISAFF engages in year-round film programming and cultural interactions that align with our mission.