More than four dozen films will be screened at two Surrey theatres during the second Sundar Prize Film Festival, which moves from June to April this year with a theme of "Life in Motion: Journeys of Growth and Discovery."
The 2025 festival will open April 10 at SFU Surrey with screenings of Have I Swallowed Your Dream and Paper Flowers, then moves to Landmark Cinemas Guildford for three full days of films and related events, closing April 13.
The Sundar Prize event promises "a diverse slate of 54 films, panels and special events that spotlight underrepresented voices and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling."
With a “Celebrating Human Resilience” theme, last year's inaugural festival championed diversity in film. The tradition continues in 2025 with 70 per cent Canadian content and most films originating in B.C. Many of the titles are directed by women and BIPOC filmmakers.
Fest highlights include a "Vaisakhi Celebration" on April 11 featuring Mareya Shot Keetha Goal (Make the Shot), the 2023 Baljit Sangra documentary about local South Asian hockey players shooting for pro leagues.
A festival "pre-launch" event will feature a screening of We Will Be Brave on April 9 at a location to be announced.
Some details were announced Feb. 16 for the 2025 Sundar Prize Film Festival, a project of Sher Vancouver, a Metro Vancouver charity for queer South Asians and allies.
"Each film represents excellence in its respective category, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience," says a post on sundarprize.com, where tickets are sold. "The films showcase social issues and social causes that have a social impact and promote social change."
