VISAFF celebrates stories usually not represented by mainstream cinema or contemporary Bollywood film formulas. In 2015 and 2016, VISAFF focused on Bollywood and beyond with features, shorts and documentaries, all chosen to engage, educate and inspire audiences by promoting free expression, cross-cultural interactions and understanding, and combating intolerance and stereotypes.
VISAFF originated in 2008 to “bridge the gap” between South Asian talent and mainstream audiences by connecting directors, actors, producers, community organizations, corporate brands and South Asian cinephiles.
The festival is again committed to promoting diverse stories of South Asians through films from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the global South Asian Diaspora.
This year is yet another exciting year for VISAFF South Asian Film Festival Society and its team. It is Canada’s 150th birthday and our festival is taking this opportunity to celebrate with one of the best Women’s Organizations in the World, All Ladies League’s Women Economic Forum (WEF)from Delhi, India.
Women Economic Forum (WEF) British Columbia Canada 2017-Women Leading New Global Thinking & Change will be held over four days during the film festival at the same venue with its own curation done by the WEF team from Delhi. It will attract over 500 women from across not just Canada but at least 50 countries across the world. The deliberations will be across a range of subjects that concern modern society, entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, environment, inclusivity and tolerance, values and family. This will be done over many sessions in the four days and will be broadcasted live globally to thousands of people. It will also be our humble privilege to confer on the Governor and some senior government persons the Women Economic Forum award of “Iconic Leaders of the Decade in Public Service.” We will also be presenting “women of the Decade” awards to leading women in Business and public life