South Asian International Film Festival Florida on April 19-20

Landmark event to spotlight diverse selection from India, Pakistan, Nepal, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the US

The inaugural South Asian International Film Festival Florida in Tampa, Florida will showcase a diverse selection of shorts, documentaries, and feature films from India, Pakistan, Nepal, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the USA.

This landmark event on April 19 and 20 represents the region’s first South Asian film festival, according to organizers SAIFFF, a non-profit organization, with the films collectively showcasing the rich tapestry of South Asian cinema across various genres.

Organized by a passionate team of film enthusiasts from varied backgrounds including IT professionals, scientists, doctors, and local business owners, SAIFFF promises to be a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, according to a press release.

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Highlights of SAIFFF include the North American premiere of Hindi film ‘The Lost Girls’, depicting the poignant journey of Suhani, separated during the 1984 Sikh riots, as well as Bollywood actor Omy Vaidya’s Marathi film ‘Aaichya Gavat Marathi Bol,’ ‘Dada Lakhmi,’ directed by noted actor Yashpal Sharma, and the North American premiere of ‘Proof of Concept,’ a feature film directed by local Floridian filmmaker Anjani Pandey.

SAIFFF also screens ‘The Peace Activists,’ a film about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King within a dramatic plot that highlights their remarkable similarities in the cause of peace and non-violence, and their engagement with civil disobedience as a methodology and a tool.

The festival’s lineup features an array of compelling short films & documentaries from around the world, including titles such as ‘I Am Not Down,’ ‘The Beginning,’ ‘From Sweden, With Love,’ ‘She; Who Lives,’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Lahore,’ ‘Jamun Ka Darakht,’ and ‘Dancing in Fire,’ a documentary film from Nepal, among others.

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Anticipation is high as SAIFFF expects attendance from notable Bollywood personalities such as Yashpal Sharma and Aryan Vaid, with hopes of confirmation from other renowned actors and actresses.

Alongside film screenings, attendees can participate in insightful panel discussions, engaging Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and special events showcasing various aspects of South Asian cinema and culture.

“We are organizing the South Asian International Film Festival in Tampa, Florida because we believe in the power of cinema to bridge cultures, celebrate diversity, and showcase the incredible talent of South Asian filmmakers,” Hemant Dinkar, founder & organizer of SAIFFF, stated. “Our goal is to create a platform that not only entertains but also educates and enlightens audiences about the rich tapestry of stories and perspectives from South Asia,”

“By bringing this festival to Tampa, we aim to foster cultural exchange, promote understanding, and provide a unique opportunity for the community to experience the magic of South Asian cinema right here in Florida. We are excited to share these compelling films and narratives with our local audience and to contribute to the vibrant arts scene in Tampa,” he added.

SAIFFF is made possible in Tampa with the support from local sponsors like GroundGame Health, Sakar Trust, Teavity & Mathnasium, the release stated.Tickets for the first-ever South Asian International Film Festival Florida in Tampa are available at https://saifff.org.