IFFSA Toronto Honours Shabana Azmi For Her Distinguished 50-Year Cinema Career

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi will be honoured by the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto for her significant contribution to cinema, as announced by the organisers. The 13th edition of the festival, scheduled from October 10 to 20, promises a memorable experience with premieres and special events featuring notable figures like filmmakers Imtiaz Ali, Deepa Mehta, actor-turned-director Boman Irani, and Anup Singh.

Azmi, considered one of Indian cinema's finest performers, debuted with Satyajit Ray's 1974 classic "Ankur". Her filmography includes "Arth", "Masoom", "Mandi", "Fire", "Godmother", "Paar", "Neerja", and recently "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani". IFFSA will honour her 50-year career with a tribute program featuring a special screening of Shyam Benegal's classic "Mandi".

The festival will also host an exclusive masterclass and a musical celebration titled "Shab-e-Sur" to pay homage to Azmi's illustrious cinematic journey. Additionally, there will be a special dinner in her honour sponsored by Turkish Airlines.

Sunny Gill, Festival Director of IFFSA Toronto, expressed that this year's celebration aims to pay tribute to icons who have shaped the cinematic world. He stated, "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."

Boman Irani's directorial debut film, "The Mehta Boys", co-written by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris Jr., will open the festival. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali will present his latest film "Amar Singh Chamkila" followed by a masterclass and a musical event called "Chamkila Night" in honour of the late artist who inspired the film.

Premieres and Screenings

The festival lineup includes highly anticipated films such as Payal Kapadia's Cannes Grand Prix winner "All We Imagine as Light" and Madhumita's "Kaalidhar Laapata" featuring Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur. Other notable films include Srijit Mukherji's "Padatik", Leesa Gazi's "A House Named Shahana", and Kaushal Oza's "Little Thomas". Canadian cinema will be represented by Durga Chew-Bose's "Bonjour Tristesse" and Shadab Khan's "I Am No Queen".

The festival will also showcase powerful documentary features like Gurvinder Singh's "Trolley Times" and Riz Ahmed-supported film "Defiance: Fighting the Far Right". Kishor P Belekar’s "Gandhi Talks", starring Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari, will close the festival.

Workshops and Masterclasses

Beyond film screenings, IFFSA Toronto 2024 will offer various masterclasses and workshops. These include 'The Open Gesture', an acting workshop with festival ambassador Anup Singh. The launch of the IFFSA Talent Fund 2024/25 aims to provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers.

The star-studded opening gala on October 11 will celebrate both international and Canadian talent. The event promises insightful dialogues and unforgettable moments for all attendees.