Featured Filmmakers
Current Mentorship Program Cohort
Vinay Giridhar (Mentee) and Sean Farnel (Mentor)
About the Mentee
Vinay Giridhar is the co-founder of the Sundar Prize Film Festival and an acclaimed Kerala born artist and filmmaker. His debut feature “Emergence: Out of the Shadows” screened at more than 50 international festivals, including Academy Award, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying festivals.
About the Mentor
Sean Farnel is a highly respected leader in the Canadian film industry. He was the first Director of Programming at Hot Docs and established the documentary program at the Toronto International Film Festival. He has served as a consulting producer on celebrated films including “To Kill a Tiger,” “Eternal Spring,” and “Emergence: Out of the Shadows.”
Their Mentorship Journey
I, Migrant has entered post-production and is currently in the editing stage.
Short Synopsis
I, Migrant is a social impact documentary film that intimately conveys the personal stories of individuals immigrating from India to Canada. Through observational filmmaking, interviews, historical context illustrated with archival materials, animation, and reconstructions, our documentary will feature a diverse ensemble of people at varying stages of the immigration process within Canada and India.
I, Migrant will serve to provide a deeper understanding of the complex motivations of these young, hopeful Indian citizens and the resilience required from those who embark on this often decade-long pursuit of settling in Canada.
G Amarnath Sankar (Mentee) and King Louie Palomo (Mentor)
About the Mentee
G Amarnath Sankar is a queer filmmaker and engineer from Kerala, India whose work focuses on identity, belonging, and personal relationships.
About the Mentor
King Louie Palomo is an award-winning Filipino Canadian director and producer with a strong background in character driven storytelling.
Their Mentorship Journey
Across 15 mentorship sessions, Sankar collaborated closely with Palomo to refine and develop “Flicker of Home,” a story about an Indian immigrant navigating love and cultural identity in Canada. Together, they shaped the script and explored the filmmaking process from concept to creative execution.
“I have a very refined script with me now and so much insight into the pain and effort that goes into making a good film. This mentorship gives me an identity. I can introduce myself as a Sundar Prize Filmmaker Mentee.” – G Amarnath Sankar
Kuntal Patel (Mentee) and Vinay Giridhar (Mentor)
About the Mentee
Kuntal Patel is an emerging filmmaker and community advocate from India. She is the founder of Samskara – Food for Thoughts, an initiative focused on nutrition and mental health for immigrants.
About the Mentor
Vinay Giridhar is the co-founder of the Sundar Prize Film Festival and an acclaimed Kerala born artist and filmmaker. His debut feature “Emergence: Out of the Shadows” screened at more than 50 international festivals, including Academy Award, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award qualifying festivals.
Their Mentorship Journey
Through the program, Patel developed “Resilient Roots,” a documentary that looks at the experiences of immigrant youth navigating identity and belonging. She also began writing her first narrative film script. Giridhar supported her with creative guidance, production planning, and industry insight grounded in his own lived experience.
“This mentorship helped me discover my passion for film. I started with no experience. Now I have a documentary package, a narrative film script writing in progress, and the confidence to call myself a filmmaker.” – Kuntal Patel
About the Film
Name of Film: Resilient Roots
Year of Production Started: 2024
Director & Producer: Kuntal Patel
Logline: A short documentary exploring how immigrant youth in British Columbia build resilience through community, nutrition, mental health, and belonging.
Synopsis
Resilient Roots is a short documentary created as part of the Samskara – Food for Thought social impact initiative. The project was supported through the Latincouver Social Impact Grant for Youth, funded by the Government of Canada through Canada Service Corps, to develop a community-based initiative promoting mental health, nutrition, and well-being among immigrant youth.
The documentary explores the lived experiences of South Asian immigrant youth, including international students, refugees, and other newcomers in British Columbia. Through lived experiences, community voices, and expert perspectives, it examines the connection between mental health, nutrition, food security, culture, and belonging.
The project was developed in collaboration with Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society, DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society, clinical counsellors, a UBC faculty member Dr Farah, Dr. Soham (Yoga and Mindfulness), and immigrant youth participants.
During the filmmaking process, the Sundar Prize Filmmaker Mentorship Program provided mentorship, creative guidance, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities that supported the completion of the documentary. As an emerging immigrant filmmaker, the mentorship helped transform a community initiative into a meaningful documentary aimed at raising awareness and creating positive social impact.
Amit Dhuga (Mentee) and Sean Farnel (Mentor)
About the Mentee
Amit Dhuga is an award-winning director based in North Vancouver and the founder of Boundless Lion Productions. His films highlight South Asian stories in Canada, including “Ranvir” which explores family honour and racism, and “Prisoner” which addresses gang violence.
About the Mentor
Sean Farnel is a highly respected leader in the Canadian film industry. He was the first Director of Programming at Hot Docs and established the documentary program at the Toronto International Film Festival. He has served as a consulting producer on celebrated films including “To Kill a Tiger,” “Eternal Spring,” and “Emergence: Out of the Shadows.”
Their Mentorship Journey
Dhuga is currently in post-production on his debut feature “You’re Mine,” a thriller about a group of South Asian girlfriends stalked by a violent incel on Valentine’s Day. Farnel has been guiding him through distribution planning, festival strategy, and the long term vision for the film.
“With Sean’s amazing support, I’m learning about film distribution and proudly shaping a solid plan for my feature film’s journey.”
– Amit Dhuga
About the Film
Name of film: You’re Mine
Year of release: 2026
Year Production Started: 2022
Producer: Amit Dhuga
Director: Amit Dhuga
Logline: A group of Indo-Canadian girl friends are stalked by a sadistic incel, with an ulterior motive, on the night of Valentine’s Day.
Synopsis: Sanjana, a young, free-spirited woman and her friends Gurpreet, Maya, Tina, and Zara are out enjoying their annual “Galentine’s” festivities on Valentine’s Day. When Sanjana finds herself being stalked by a mysterious man with an ulterior motive, the girls realize what first started as a night of love, soon turns into a night of nightmares.
Contact Information
Web: Boundless Lion Productions
Instagram: @amitdhuga | @boundlesslionproductions
