Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival to return to Mississauga

The Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival (MISAFF) is set to return to Mississauga.

The event, which is now in its tenth year, is Canada’s premier festival of new South Asian cinema and will be returning to the Mississauga Living Arts Centre and the Cineplex Square One Cinemas.

The opening night red carpet gala will feature the North American premiere of the Pakistani drama film KAMLI directed by Sarmad Khoosat. The film intertwines the stories of three women and their restrained desires and the evening will feature a Q&A with actress Sania Saeed.

“MISAFF is proud to continue its mission to feature and spotlight new voices in South Asian Cinema and present thought-provoking and conscientious cinema that uplifts humanity and promotes peace and harmony,” reads a release about the festival.

This year, the festival will be showcasing a total of 40 films including eight feature films, four documentaries and 28 shorts from Canada, India, the U.S., Pakistan, the UK and Bangladesh.

MISAFF programming at this year’s festival will feature moving themes that resonate with audiences during this era and will explore the emergence from pain and overcoming sorrow, love across cultures and courage in the fight for justice while highlighting the scourge of class and casteism.

“We pride ourselves in presenting thought-provoking and conscientious cinema that uplifts humanity and promotes peace and harmony,” reads MISAFF’s website.

Back in 2012, a registered non-profit organization in Mississauga called the Canadian Community Arts Initiative (CCAI) engaged Arshad Khan and Anya Mckenzie to take the small film component of the Mosaic outdoor Festival of Mississauga to the next level.

Since then, the duo has been determined to celebrate and raise awareness about new voices in South Asian cinema.

With the help of the CCAI and the Mosaic Festival, which is North America’s largest event celebrating South Asian arts and culture, MISAFF was able to establish a cultural brand to attract film audiences in the region.

This year, the festival will run from Mar. 23 to 26, 2023.

For more information and to buy festival passes and tickets, click here.

Photos: MISAFF