Official Selection 2025

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Inspired by true events. Barefoot Warriors is set in a quaint Punjab Village in North India, where events unfold upon the arrival of an American man, seeking to redeem his own failures in life, but ends up fulfilling century old dreams for the village folks.  Football (Soccer) forms the backdrop of this inspirational story.

Written and Directed by Kavi Raz

Preeti, an elegant woman in her 50s, leaves an abusive marriage with her philandering husband, Ajay. Facing ageism and sexism, Preeti launches a dress-design business while trying to repair her relationship with her daughter. She befriends Jackson, a sincere restaurant and bar owner. Preeti confronts ostracism and ridicule from the Indian community for standing up to her husband's abuse and her friendship with Jackson. Preeti realizes that freedom has consequences.
Director Gayatri Everitt Bajpai

Writer/Producer Rashmi Rustagi 

Naguib and his wife Mariam decide to take over a dangerous Journey to the united States starting from central America all the way to the US - Mexico Border facing many tough life threatening obstacles.

Director Peter Takla

A TIMELY FILM ABOUT THE ROOTS OF TERROR AND THE PRICE OF REVENGE
On 22 October, 2016, a suicide bombing by ISIS, targeting the famed Eaton Centre shopping mall in Toronto, Ontario, was narrowly thwarted, with one suspect killed. Independent sources have estimated the death toll, had the attack succeeded, would have been the highest in a terrorist strike on North American soil since 9/11.
For security reasons, the foiled plot has been kept secret… until now.
Afreen is the story of that plot.

Director Aashish Chanana

     The series follows the misadventures of a trio of 20-something Indian-American siblings - Zoya, AJ, and Kabir - as they attempt to navigate life with their immigrant parents all while helping run the family business. They have very little to their names but will do anything to avoid having to work at their parent’s shop for the rest of their lives. 

Director Sim Dhugga

WISH BOX - A couple's life takes a mysterious turn when they stumble upon an ancient box hidden in their new apartment. As they delve into its contents, their lives take unexpected turns, setting off a chain of mysterious events.

Directed by Abhinav Sainger

BUK POCKET: Two lives marked by hunger — a drifting vagabond and a street child — briefly intertwine. Dreams of abundance clash with stark reality, until a simple act of kindness transforms despair into shared hope.
Director Samir Karmakar

I CAN SMELL A RAT - Maribel, 10 years old, has her night turned upside down after being assigned the role of Hamlet in a school play, where she spends her night between her football-obsessed family and Hamlet.

Director Antonious Bassily

HOW TO COOK FRENCH COUSIN - A charismatic chef hosts a cooking tutorial on French cuisine, but as the recipe unfolds, a dark secret simmers.

Director Hritik Mehta

     MASALA LOVE - The Sheikh family owns the best South Asian restaurant in Little India, Toronto. However, their reputation is challenged when Sultana Sheikh, the matriarch, intends to hand over the restaurant to her Canadian-born son. 

Director Gursimran Datla

    RISHTEY - Ria, an aspiring model, and Juhi, an award-winning Creative Director are best friends. Vicky, an ace photographer, enters their lives. Will their world be the same? 

Director Dinesh More 

   JALEBI -  tells the story of Anya, a successful lawyer from a traditional Indian family, who decides to breakup with her boyfriend right before her engagement dinner. Her decision sparks a heated debate within her family, revealing deep-rooted cultural and generational differences. The film explores the tension between personal happiness and familial obligations, ultimately questioning how one can honor both.

Director Ayushi Khurana

    AMINA'S SONG - While we follow the daily struggle of a young Egyptian student in Kazan, Amina risks everything to fulfill her dream of becoming a singer, which triggers some changes in her life. 

Director Essam Hayder

STORMS NEVER LAST - When industry strikes bring financial hardship and shattered dreams to an idealistic filmmaker, the strength of his love is tested as he struggles to weather the storm.

Director Gary Tucker 

THE MONKEY - Dr. Adam and his monkey companion face humanity’s cyclical failures, where survival depends on lessons that have not been learned.

Director Bishoy Adel

THE MADMAN - In 1970s Jaipur, two men face a tense standoff on a crowded commuter train. With the Bangladesh War for Independence looming, uncertainty and human volatility hang heavy in the air. Based on a story by the late Douglas Adams, The Madman asks: “Is it everyone else who’s lost their mind, or is it me?”.

Director David A. Harris

DIEZ SEGUNDOS - After years of guilt following the loss of his best friend, guilt worsened by blame from some of the townspeople, Fredi finds his peace through a mystical sign, and by finally accepting love and forgiveness from the one who mattered most..

Director Gloria Laino

TEST SUBJECT V - Set in India, this animated docu-drama follows a middle-aged man from the other end of the fitness spectrum as he challenges lifelong beliefs and undergoes a profound physical and mental transformation. Through humour, emotion, and honesty, the film explores human courage, resilience, and the power to change. Ultimately, it’s an inspiring story that encourages better choices for health, the planet, and animals — all while remaining entertaining and relatable.

Directed by Sol Kohli

Producer Kunal Avanti

FEKRY'S THOUGHTS - A contemporary portrait follows the life of an Alexandrian Framemaker born in the 1930s. Through his personal story, the film explores the profound changes in Egypt over the past 80 years, capturing society's transformation through a dedicated craftsman's eyes..
Director Essam Hayder

MANAN KANCHU PARA - Manan Kanchu Para narrates the concerns of Nicolás Sayhua and his community about the severe drought affecting their region and the year's agricultural harvest. Nicolas seeks to reflect and take action to reverse this situation in the future.

Director Ronald Romero

FROM & TO NATURE WE RETURN - In a mesmerizing visual journey, it explores the deep connection between humanity and Mother Earth, calling us to reconnect with nature and live in harmony with its cosmic rhythms.

Director Bishoy Adel

     CAMERAPHOBIA - Set in Alexandria, the film follows street photographers and an independent filmmaker as they share the challenges and risks of working on the streets, and how these experiences shape their art. An interview with an anthropology researcher explores the phenomenon of cameraphobia, examining the fear and resistance surrounding street photography today.

Director Younis Hosni