BFF and Kickstart Entertainment to co-host the Filmmaker Welcome Retreat at iSAFF
The Geena Davis Bentonville Film Foundation (BFF) and Kickstart Entertainment have announced a special partnership with the upcoming International South Asian Film Festival of Canada (iSAFF), which is taking place from September 25-29 in Surrey, BC.
The Geena Davis Bentonville Film Foundation (BFF) Partners with iSAFF 2024 to present Kickoff Event featuring Archie Panjabi at Surrey festival
The Geena Davis Bentonville Film Foundation (BFF) and Kickstart Entertainment have announced a special partnership with the upcoming International South Asian Film Festival of Canada (iSAFF), which is taking place from September 25-29 in Surrey, BC. Kicking off the festival on Sept 25, BFF will co-host a Filmmaker Welcome Retreat in Surrey, featuring a fireside chat with special guest and trailblazing actor Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife, Under the Bridge, Departure, Blindspot).
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with iSAFF on this very unique event,” says Wendy Guerrero, President of the Bentonville Film Festival and Foundation. “Our core values and mission are focused on substantially increasing inclusivity and diversity in the content that is produced and distributed for a more equitable media landscape. Partnering with iSAFF feels natural, as both our organizations are very much aligned on impacting meaningful culture change. Having Archie Panjabi as our special guest for this event epitomizes everything we stand for and are striving towards.”
The Filmmaker Welcome Retreat, which is inspired by a similar event at the Bentonville Film Festival, is described as an intimate gathering to welcome filmmakers screening at this year’s iSAFF, where they will also be able to network with industry leaders and fellow filmmakers. This will be followed by a deep dive spotlight conversation with Panjabi on her journey as a pioneering actor who has carved a unique path and had a lasting impact on representation and visibility of South Asian talent on a global scale.
Archie Panjabi shared: “My passion is driven by a love for characters and stories that connect us all. With each character portrayed on screen, no matter how different they may look, below the surface lies a universal, shared human experience. The Geena Davis Bentonville Film Foundation, along with its partner iSAFF (International South Asian Film Festival of Canada), is dedicated to bringing the rich tapestry of our world to the screen. I am honored to be a part of this exciting journey, and that is why I am filled with profound gratitude and a full heart to be the recipient of the first-ever iSAFF Icon Award.”
iSAFF is honoring Panjabi with the inaugural iSAFF Icon Award at the festival’s Purple Carpet Gala on Sept 26.
iSAFF Co-Directors of Programming, Pallavi Sastry and Keertana Sastry, add: “We’re so proud to partner with Bentonville on this event and recognize the pathbreaking work of Archie Panjabi. This is a major step for iSAFF towards expanding international partnerships while adding value to the festival experience for emerging filmmakers.”
Now in it’s 14th year, and with the theme of ‘Crossroads’, iSAFF is driven by its mission to champion the best of South Asian cinema from the subcontinent and its diaspora, its intersections with the rest of the world, and building Surrey, BC into a filmmaking hub.
The kickoff event is made possible with community support from Product of Culture and the British Columbia-India Business Network.
iSAFF 2024 will take place from September 25th to 29th. Tickets and passes for iSAFF 2024 are available for purchase at www.isaff.ca. For the latest updates and program details, follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/isaffcanada/
——————
About iSAFF Canada:
iSAFF is an annual film festival dedicated to championing independent films and artists connected to South Asia and the South Asian diaspora across the world. With a commitment to showcase unique storytelling and foster creativity, this festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from around the world.
For press inquiries, interview requests, and additional information, please contact:
Pulkit Datta
Artistic Director, iSAFF
programming@isaff.ca