SHABANA SHINES
The International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2024 will honor “Halo” and “Fire” star Shabana Azmi‘s five-decade career during its 13th edition, running Oct. 10-20. The festival’s tribute program includes a screening of Shyam Benegal’s “Mandi,” a masterclass, and a musical celebration titled “Shab-e-Sur.”
The festival will feature premieres and events with industry figures including Imtiaz Ali, Deepa Mehta, Boman Irani and Anup Singh. Irani’s directorial debut “The Mehta Boys,” co-written by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris, will open the festival with its Canadian premiere. Ali’s Netflix film “Amar Singh Chamkila” will receive a theatrical screening, followed by a masterclass and a “Chamkila Night” musical event.
The lineup includes Payal Kapadia‘s Cannes Grand Prix winner “All We Imagine as Light” and Madhumita’s “Kaalidhar Laapata” starring Abhishek Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur. Films from Srijit Mukherji, Leesa Gazi and Kaushal Oza will also be featured. Canadian cinema will be represented by Durga Chew-Bose’s “Bonjour Tristesse” and Shadab Khan’s “I Am No Queen.” Documentary features include Gurvinder Singh’s “Trolley Times” and “Defiance: Fighting the Far Right.” Kishor P. Belekar’s “Gandhi Talks” will close the festival.
IFFSA Toronto 2024 will offer masterclasses and workshops, including an acting workshop led by festival ambassador Anup Singh. The festival will launch the IFFSA Talent Fund 2024/25 for emerging filmmakers.
Sunny Gill, festival director, said: “This year’s celebration will be a vibrant tribute to the rich legacy of South Asian cinema, marked by unforgettable moments, insightful dialogues, and a profound homage to the icons who have shaped our cinematic world.”
‘SHOWMAN’ STAR
Tony nominee Keala Settle will headline the U.K. premiere of “Fly More Than You Fall” at London’s Southwark Playhouse Elephant, running Oct. 18-Nov. 23. The musical, penned by Eric Holmes and Nat Zegree, follows a young girl coping with her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
Settle, also known for her role as the bearded lady in “The Greatest Showman,” said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this beautifully uplifting story. It’s such a testament to the strength and compassion of the human spirit and the freedom that resides within us all.”
Tony and Olivier Award winner Marc David Levine produces, with Christian Durham directing. The creative team includes Georgie Rankcom (associate director), Heather Douglas (movement director) and Daniel Edmonds (orchestrations).
GLOBAL CHANNELS
Blue Ant Media, the international production studio, rights business and channel operator, has promoted Carlyn Staudt to EVP, global channels and streaming. After successfully leading Love Nature as GM since 2021, Staudt’s expanded role will now see her leading Blue Ant Media’s international channels, including Love Nature, Declassified, HauntTV, Total Crime, Homeful, Drag Race Universe, Love Pets and Love Drama. She will focus on the continued growth of Blue Ant Media’s worldwide channel footprint across all platforms including FAST, SVOD, AVOD and Pay-TV. Based out of Washington, Carlyn will continue to report to Jamie Schouela, president, global channels and media, and now also reports to Michael MacMillan, co-founder and CEO.
Source Agencies
