Surrey hosts the 15th iSAFF festival Sept. 24-28, celebrating South Asian cinema with Deepa Mehta, premieres, and a unique Schitt’s Creek reading.
Trailblazers of South Asian Cinema Gather in Surrey
Surrey is set to come alive this week with the 15th International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF), a five-day celebration of films, stories, and voices from across South Asia. Running from Wednesday, Sept. 24, to Sunday, Sept. 28, the festival promises a showcase of bold, innovative cinema at venues like Landmark Theatre in Guildford, Surrey City Hall, SFU Surrey, Skye Avenue, and the Civic Hotel.
“iSAFF has always been more than a film festival—it’s a cultural catalyst,” says festival producer Mannu Sandhu. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve created a space where daring South Asian voices are nurtured and celebrated.”
Honoring a Filmmaking Legend
A festival highlight this year is the inaugural Deepa Mehta Legacy Award, which will honor the Academy Award–nominated filmmaker for her groundbreaking contributions to cinema. Mehta will be in Surrey to accept the award in person.
Opening and Closing with a Bang
The festival kicks off with Uttera Singh’s Pinch, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and closes with Annapurna Sriram’s Fcktoys*, an award-winning feature from SXSW 2025. Both films highlight the festival’s “Legacy” theme, emphasizing fearless storytelling that pushes creative boundaries.
Unique Industry Events
iSAFF’s Industry Day features a one-of-a-kind event: a 10th-anniversary reading of Schitt’s Creek, Season 1, Episode 3: “Don’t Worry, It’s His Sister,” reimagined with an all-South Asian cast.
The Red Carpet Gala will take place Friday night, Sept. 26, at SFU Surrey’s Engineering Building, offering attendees a glamorous celebration of South Asian film. Tickets are available for $150 on isaff.ca.
Spotlight on Competition Films
The festival’s competition lineup includes:
- F*cktoys – A surreal 16mm exploration of the Tarot’s Major Arcana, following AP, a woman on a desperate quest to lift a curse.
- Ghost School – Ten-year-old Rabia confronts superstition and corruption while uncovering the truth behind her school’s abrupt closure.
- Have You Heard Judi Singh? – A portrait of Edmonton-born jazz singer Judi Singh, a Punjabi-Black artist of the 1950s.
- Singhs in the Ring – A deep dive into the life of wrestling legend Gama Singh and his son, Raj.
The festival also premieres Who Are You, Nanu?, inspired by producer Anjini Taneja Azhar’s grandfather, who survived the devastation of a historic earthquake and the India-Pakistan partition, eventually becoming part of British Airways’ official welcome committee for The Beatles’ first visit to India.
A Festival That Celebrates Legacy
With its mix of feature films, shorts, episodic series, music videos, and industry events, iSAFF continues to offer an unparalleled platform for South Asian stories. From award ceremonies to premieres and bold reinterpretations of classic shows, the festival makes it clear: Surrey is the place to experience the power and diversity of South Asian cinema this week.
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