Deepa Mehta Celebrated at 15th International South Asian Film Festival

The recent 15th International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF), held in Surrey from September 24 to 28, 2025, recognized the contributions of filmmakers while showcasing the vibrant narratives of South Asian cinema. The festival, which draws attention as a vital part of Canada’s cultural landscape, featured screenings, awards, and discussions at various venues including Landmark Theatre, Surrey City Hall, and the Civic Hotel.

One of the highlights of the festival was the inaugural Deepa Mehta Legacy Award, presented to acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta. This marked her first appearance at the iSAFF, where she expressed her gratitude for the recognition. “I’m really pleased to be here, so pleased,” Mehta shared with the Now-Leader on the festival’s opening day. “I mean, I’m so touched by it. I really like the philosophy of the festival, that it gives space to people who want to grow, who are growing, and that is really important.”

A Celebration of Artistic Excellence

The festival celebrated various films and talents, awarding the Excellence in Feature Filmmaking to Annapurna Sriram for her work on F*cktoys, and recognizing Sarita Khurana with the Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking award for The Last Resort. Other notable awards included the Sher Vancouver Award for Best 2SLGBTQ+ Film given to Leela Varghese for I’m the Most Racist Person I Know, and the Excellence in Short Filmmaking awards to Shruti Parekh for Zari in the North America category and Vinnie Ann Bose for Sulaimani in the international category.

The festival also honored filmmaker Onir with an Icon Award, while Supinder Wraich received recognition for Leadership. Emerging artist Shubham Chhabra was celebrated for his potential, and Sarb Nagra was acknowledged with the DGC BC Director Award.

Spotlight on Mehta’s Work

Among the films showcased was Mehta’s Funny Boy, a drama that explores the sexual awakening of a boy against the backdrop of political turmoil in Sri Lanka during the 1980s. Agam Darshi, who stars as the boy’s supportive aunt, noted that the film had been overshadowed by pandemic restrictions, limiting its exposure. “The timing was unfortunate,” Mehta acknowledged. “It was chosen to be Canada’s entry into the Oscars — then the pandemic hit, which caused significant challenges.”

Despite these setbacks, Mehta remains undeterred. At the age of 75, she is set to begin filming her next project, Forgiveness, in locations including Medicine Hat, the Vancouver area, and Tokyo. The film, based on the book by Mark Sakamoto, portrays the complexities of two families during World War II.

Reflecting on her career, Mehta shared her passion for filmmaking: “I don’t think of it as work. Doing what I do is like food, something essential that helps you live.” As the iSAFF concluded its 15th edition, it aims to continue promoting South Asian filmmakers and enriching cultural dialogue through storytelling.