Film: To The Mountaintop

Category: Shorts 

About the Filmmaker: Aleem Karmali, an independent documentary filmmaker and writer since 2001, specializes in films exploring the intersections of history, diversity, culture, and religion, with a specific focus on dispelling misperceptions about Islam. He's credited with crafting numerous documentaries for The.Ismaili, elucidating Ismaili history and beliefs. Currently, Aleem leads the "What Ismailis Believe" series. Prior to his filmmaking career, he contributed to adult religious education at Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board of Canada. His educational background includes a Masters in Arts in Visual Anthropology and a Bachelor or Arts in Communication Studies and Sociology, along with being an alumnus of the Institute of Ismaili Studies' Graduate Programme in Islamic Studies and Humanities.

Film: Our world is made of the stories we tell ourselves

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Aquil Virani, an award-winning visual artist, excels in collaborative art projects that span painting, drawing, filmmaking, writing, graphic design, installation, and participatory art. In a groundbreaking role, he served as Canada's first national artist-in-residence at the Canadian Museum of Immigration. Celine Le Merlus, curator at Stewart Hall Art Gallery, lauds his approach, characterized by not only expressing personal viewpoints on social issues but also enabling others to freely express themselves. His work promotes dialogue and amplifies diverse voices.

Film: The Creator: Living Legend

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Ali Shaan Khemani, a Pakistani independent filmmaker, embarked on his artistic journey in Karachi. He nurtured his talents at the National Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2008. Despite skepticism, Ali's dedication and love for his craft prevailed. Over the last 12 years, he's earned eight international awards as a Producer-Director-Writer. Notable projects include "Chal Parha" for Geo News and "Kaha Suna Maaf" for Express TV. He's also ventured into short films, documentaries, and ad campaigns for brands like Unilever Pakistan, Dawn News, and more. He has also has worked with Netflix and Amazon Prime. Ali Shaan Khemani's versatile filmmaking career is a testament to his passion and skill.

Film: What If....?

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmakers: Azmina Dhalla-Shivji, a mother, author, and short filmmaker, crafts animated short films from her original children's book stories. Her creations answer her children's inquiries with delightful narratives, aiming to educate and inspire young minds. Azmina champions the power of storytelling to nurture a better world through words, stories, love, care, and actions.

Film: What If....?

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmakers: Zaheed Damani, a resident physician in psychiatry at the University of Toronto, is a composer, songwriter, and storyteller. His art explores themes of identity, faith, growth, inclusion, and community. Starting as an editor, Zaheed's journey expanded into music videos and short film writing and direction.

Film: Moyang

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Farhan Umedaly, a scientist turned music producer, renewable energy developer, filmmaker, and educator, passionately combines his diverse interests to promote positive change through filmmaking. Focused on backing Indigenous rights and conservation, he utilizes the art of visual storytelling. His Empowered Filmmaker program has trained over 425 Indigenous filmmakers across Western Canada, amplifying voices that echo cultural richness and environmental advocacy. Farhan's journey epitomizes a dynamic intersection of creativity, advocacy, and education, aimed at driving meaningful change in the world.

Film: Lullaby for Guli

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Mohamed Assani, a multifaceted artist, excels in filmmaking, sitar performance, and composition, challenging conventional boundaries. Proficient in Indian/Pakistani and Western classical music, his work seamlessly transcends genres and cultures, resonating with depth and authenticity. Nominated for 'Instrumental Artist of the Year' at the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2021 and 2022, his talent garnered well-deserved recognition. He has graced distinguished audiences, performing for His Highness the Aga Khan and the renowned couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. In 2023, his music video "Lullaby for Guli" was a finalist at the Berlin FilmHaus Festival and an official selection at the International South Asian Film Festival, reaffirming his prowess as a versatile and accomplished artist.

Film: Starved

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Mawj Gulistani is an Afghan-Canadian student at the University of California, Los Angeles studying Film Directing. Mawj kickstarted her career in film as a Productions Assistant working for multiple production companies in Toronto. She then continued her path by studying film in the city of film and television, Los Angeles. Since then, Mawj has made a couple short films for school projects, or as personal projects. Mawj's art leans more into dark dramas with light themes of love, hope and acceptance.

Film: We All Matter

Catgeory: Shorts / Youth

About the Filmmaker: Maya Virani, a remarkable 12-year-old dynamo whose talents know no bounds. From a young age, her unwavering passion for reading and writing has been the cornerstone of her life, molding her into a creative writer with a remarkable eye for detail. Maya's love for storytelling has ignited a new creative spark within her, leading her to craft captivating reels and short films. Her boundless enthusiasm and dedication to her craft have already begun to shape her into a promising young storyteller, ready to share her unique perspective with the world. Maya's journey is one to watch as she continues to weave tales that captivate and inspire.

Film: Be the Change

Category: Reels / Youth

About the Filmmaker: Neima Hasham, a Toronto-based artist, embarked on her creative journey at just four years old, producing a series of children's virtual workout tutorials on iiCanada.org. These videos not only entertained but also promoted physical activity during the pandemic. Neima's dedication to global well-being was evident when she presented a video pitch at The Ismaili TV's Global Stem Festival, advocating for virtual inquiry-based education in remote underserved areas. Beyond her altruistic endeavors, Neima is a travel enthusiast and an avid filmmaker. She actively seeks opportunities to capture the beauty of nature, cultural heritage, and causes close to her heart through her lens.

Film: Khorasan

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Mursal Bahri, a promising female talent, began her career in television broadcasting as a junior chase producer at CTV National News. After a few years, she ventured into film acting, dedicating three years to refine her skills. This led to a significant milestone - landing a leading role in the award-winning Canadian film "The Layover" at the Toronto Film Festival. Following this success, Mursal engaged in independent projects and short documentaries, evolving as both a producer and actor. Beyond her professional life, she immerses herself in yoga, actively working toward her yoga teacher training, finding balance and serenity in her spare time.

Film: Running: My Spiritual Journey

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Salim Kara, an Edmonton, Alberta resident, is a versatile artist. As a photographer, filmmaker, and marathon runner, he's known for capturing unique moments at events and activities, particularly in conceptual photography. Salim's freelance work encompasses a variety of fields, with a primary focus on preserving precious memories at parties, weddings, travel expeditions, outdoor adventures, and special community gatherings. His commitment and creativity shine through in every endeavor. Beyond photography, Salim is a filmmaker with credits like "Running - My Journey to Boston and Beyond" (2018) and "Running - My Spiritual Journey" (2023). His storytelling prowess extends to the silver screen, further enriching his diverse portfolio.

Film: SPEAK

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Shaheed Devji, a multi-platform storyteller based in Vancouver, brings a rich background in journalism, digital media production, and marketing communication. His career began in television news, reporting and anchoring for CTV News and CHEK News. Later, he transitioned to crafting narratives for organizations like the Richmond Olympic Oval, Field Hockey Canada, and the British Columbia Real Estate Association. Shaheed's talents extend to independent short films and documentaries, often exploring his passions. He resides in Vancouver with his wife and twin boys, finding pleasure in sports, both as a spectator and participant, and in music, where he enjoys playing and writing.

Film: SPEAK

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Imran Amlani, a Canadian native, is a versatile writer, producer, filmmaker, and stand-up comedian with a four-year stint in the arts. Driven by a deep affinity for film and television, he passionately shares his creative thoughts and stories, captivating audiences with his storytelling prowess. Beyond his professional pursuits, Imran treasures family and friend connections, cherishing moments spent together. In leisure, he finds solace in golf, offering a delightful escape from his creative endeavors. 

Film: Conversations with Self

Category: Shorts

About the Filmmaker: Taslim Samji, an internationally acclaimed artist, curator, writer, and poet, is a change-maker known for her exhibitions on immigrant stories in response to xenophobia. Her experimental work explores identity, diversity, and shared perspectives. In 2017, she received the Women of the Decade in Arts and Leadership award from the Women Economic Forum. Her recent publication, "Kampala to Canada," shares the untold stories of 12 Ugandan Asian Canadians, illuminating immigration experiences through art.

Film: SPEAK

Category: Shorts

About the Artist: Ziyana Vasaya, a Vancouver native, is a filmmaker and trained theatre, film, and TV actor. She thrives in comedy, drama, and realism/documentary genres, channeling her passion to portray unfiltered human emotions. She finds beauty in life's raw, unvarnished moments. Eager to connect with filmmakers worldwide, Ziyana aspires to collaborate on international projects, sharing her unique perspective on the human experience.

Film: SPEAK

Category: Shorts

About the Artist: Shabana Lalani, an accomplished media professional, excels as a Radio Host, scriptwriter, and voiceover artist in marketing. Her artistic talents encompass singing, acting, and comedy, adding depth to her creative repertoire. With a lifelong passion for acting, she has had the privilege of performing on stage, television, and in film. Through her diverse media outlets, Shabana masterfully inspires fresh perspectives in her audience, emphasizing empathy and unity. Her work weaves messages of compassion and community, fostering a deeper sense of shared humanity.