This year marks veteran actress Shabana Azmi’s 50th year in the Indian film industry. The 13th edition of the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2024 will recognise her contributions to cinema in honour of her exceptional career. The festival will run from October 10 to 20.
It will feature a tribute presentation for the actress including a screening of her 1983 film ‘Mandi‘. The festival will honour the seasoned actress’ incredible film trajectory with a musical celebration and a special masterclass.
IFFSA Toronto Festival Director Sunny Gill said the aim is to ‘pay tribute to the luminaries whose work has influenced the world of cinema’.
“This year’s celebration will be a vibrant tribute to the rich legacy of South Asian cinema, marked by unforgettable moments, insightful dialogues, and a profound homage to the icons who have shaped our cinematic world. We invite everyone to join us for an inspiring and transformative experience,” he stated.
A landmark film in the Indian parallel cinema movement, Ankur, marked Shabana Azmi’s debut in 1974. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance. In films like Arth, Masoom, Mandi, Godmother, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Makdee, Shabana Azmi has given exceptional performances over the years. She received the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1988 in recognition of her contributions to Indian cinema.
Prominent industry figures like Anup Singh, Boman Irani, Deepa Meh, Boman Iranita, and Imtiaz Ali will be present at IFFSA Toronto. The festival will open with the Canadian premiere of Boman Irani’s The Mehta Boys. IFFSA will also include Amar Singh Chamkila, a Netflix film by Imtiaz Ali.
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