Lights, camera, action! This November, creativity and community shine as Toronto rolls out the red carpet for the National Film Festival - showcasing the incredible range of cinematic talent within our Jamat.
Over two captivating days at the Aga Khan Museum, experience imaginative films transporting you through the lenses of our artistic community. From revealing documentaries to delightful animations, these screenings are a front row seat to compelling visual storytelling at its finest.
The festival features films across four categories with both Youth and Open divisions - Reels, Shorts (under 5 minutes) Shorts (under 20 minutes), and Immersive. Filmmakers explored this year’s theme “Care” through their own distinct voices and perspectives.
From short films to reels, artists will present works that underscore our interconnectedness - from our shared planet to personal heritage, while igniting conversation on the critical challenges of our era.
And as our esteemed festival jury deliberates over which filmmakers will represent Canada at the GE Festival in Dubai, our audiences will witness the innovation, passion, and inspiration of these cinematic visionaries.
Red carpet? Check.
Popcorn? Check.
Your Festival Pass for the marquee cinematic event of the season? Get yours while supplies last.
Saturday, November 11
Morning Screening: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Afternoon Screening: 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
Sunday, November 12
Morning Screening: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
*Please note that due to limited seating inside the Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium at the Aga Khan Museum, film screenings will be on a first-come first-serve basis. All festival films will be shown at each screening.
Meet the talented visionaries behind the camera and discover the creatives that bring this cinematic event to life. From promising students to established professionals, these dynamic storytellers represent the bright present and future of filmmaking in the Canadian Jamat. Learn what inspires them and dive deeper into the themes and techniques of their extraordinary works.
FILM | FILMMAKER | REGION |
---|---|---|
To the Mountaintop | Aleem Karmali | Edmonton |
The Creator: Living Legend | Ali Shaan Khemani | Quebec & Maritimes |
Immigrant Stories | Aquil Virani | City of Toronto |
What If...? | Azmina Dhalla-Shivji / Zaheed Damani | Prairies |
Moyang | Farhan Umedaly | British Columbia |
We All Matter in this World | Maya Virani (Youth) | Edmonton |
Starved | Mawj Gulistani | Northeast Ontario |
Lullaby for Guli | Mohamed Assani | British Columbia |
Khorasan | Mursal Bahri | British Columbia |
Be the Change | Neima Hasham (Youth) | Southwest Ontario |
Running: My Spiritual Journey | Salim Kara | Edmonton |
SPEAK | Shaheed Devji / Imran Amlani | British Columbia |
Conversation with Self | Taslim Samji | British Columbia |
Experience the excitement on the big screen with an Illume Festival Pass! This is your ticket to two days of compelling cinema from the talented filmmakers of the Jamat. Access imaginative stories brought to life through innovative short films. Secure your pass now to witness creativity and inspiration as these visionary works transport you to new realms.