Festival Overview

Awards Showcase of Top-Notch Films

      • Carefully selected films will be showcased on June 15 and 16, 2024 at Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall.
      • Each film represents excellence in its respective category, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience. The films showcase social issues and social causes that have a social impact and promote social change.

Filmmaker Meet and Greet

      • The Opening Night closes with a Filmmaker Reception for 200 industry representatives. The Closing Night closes with a Community Reception for 200 members of the general public.
      • A chance for esteemed film industry professionals from Metro Vancouver to connect and engage in the Surrey City Hall Atrium.
      • Free VIP all access passes for filmmakers, jury, panelists, sponsors and supporters.

Red Carpet Glamour

      • Experience glitz and glamour as we roll out the red carpet for all attendees.
      • Catch exciting video interviews with the Sher Vancouver Director of Communications, Jason Pillay, and videographer Rashi Sethi.
      • Pose for the cameras in front of the official Sundar Prize banner, captured by the Sher Vancouver in-house photographer Charlie Beerling.

Delectable Food, Drinks, and Snacks

      • Treat your taste buds to delicious Indian fusion food and snacks during the Filmmaker and Community Receptions.

Opening and Closing Remarks

      • Founders Vinay Giridhar and Alex Sangha will personally welcome and bid farewell to the audience.
      • Special recognition for our sponsors and supporters, acknowledging their invaluable contribution.

Diverse Film Screenings

      • Opening Night: Best Animation, Best BC Film and Panel Discussion, KDocsFF Emerging Filmmaker Film, Rogers Group of Funds Best Canadian Documentary and Panel Discussion sponsored by Knowledge Network.
      • Closing Night: Best Short Film, Best International Documentary, Best Environmental Film and Panel Discussion, Best Student Film, Best Feature Film and Panel Discussion.
      • Each film represents a unique perspective and creative excellence.

Cash Prizes and Awards

      • Witness the excitement as the Emerging Filmmaker Award comes with a generous $1,000 cash prize presented by Greg Chan of KDocsFF and the Best Canadian Documentary comes with a $2,500 cash prize donated by Rogers Group of Funds.
      • Other award winners with over $15,000 CAD in cash prizes total will be celebrated through captivating video messages shown to the audience.

Engaging in Q and A and Panel Discussions

      • Senior Programmer Sidartha Murjani will lead insightful Q and A and panel discussions on major films such as Best BC Film, Best Canadian Documentary, Best Environmental Film, and Best Feature Film.
      • Expect diverse representation, with panelists from women, queer, and BIPOC communities.
      • The jury ensures gender diverse representation. Senior Programmer and Juror Sidartha Murjani and Rami Kahlon will present a top prize of $5,000 for Best Feature Film.

Filmmaker-Centric Festival

      • The Sundar Prize is a Film Festival created by filmmakers for filmmakers, reflecting a deep appreciation for the craft.
      • Producers are compensated with screening fees, directors receive cash prizes, and affordable tickets for $20 to $35.
      • An enriching film industry networking event fosters meaningful connections among attendees.
      • Winning filmmakers will be extensively promoted through our marketing efforts.
      • Jurors receive a living wage honorarium for their valuable time and commitment.

Programme

Opening Day (Saturday, June 15th, 2024):

A ticket for Section 1 on Opening Day includes access to all of the following films and panel discussion:

SECTION ONE

  • 12:00 pm: Doors open
  • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Opening remarks, Indigenous Acknowledgment, and presentation of awards
  • 1:30 pm – 1:36 pm: Best Animation Film Screening – Unstoppable Beat (UK, 2023) – Luke Dye-Montefiore and Rufus Dye-Montefiore – 5 mins 36 seconds
  • 1:36 pm – 3:20 pm: Best BC Film Screening – Dil Rakh: Gloves of Kin (Canada, 2023) – Dalj Brar – 1 hr 39 mins and 23 seconds
  • 3:20 pm – 4:20 pm: Panel Discussion: (Building Empathy through Film: Fostering Understanding and Connection) Filmmakers in attendance. Funded by the Government of Canada and Creative BC
  • 4:20 pm – 5:00 pm: Break

A ticket for Section 2 on Opening Day includes access to all of the following films, panel discussion, and the Filmmaker Reception:

SECTION TWO

  • 5:00 pm – 5:15 pm: Opening remarks, presentation of awards for Best Emerging Filmmaker and Best Canadian Documentary
  • 5:15 pm – 5:21 pm: Screening of Best Emerging Filmmaker – Cash Cows (Canada, 2023) – Shubham Chhabra – 10 mins 20 seconds
  • 5:21 pm – 6:50 pm: Rogers Group of Funds Best Canadian Documentary – Eternal Spring (Canada, 2023) – Jason Loftus – 1 hour 25 mins 23 seconds
  • 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Panel Discussion: (Empowerment through Art: The Resilience of Creative Expression) Filmmakers in attendance. Funded by the Government of Canada, Creative BC, and Knowledge Network.
  • 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Filmmaker Reception with fusion Indian and Western appetizers and snacks
Closing Day (Sunday, June 16th, 2024):

A ticket for Section 3 on Closing Day includes access to all of the following films and panel discussion:

SECTION THREE

  • 12:00 pm: Doors open
  • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Opening remarks, Indigenous Acknowledgement, and presentation of awards
  • 1.30 pm – 2:00 pm: Screening of Best Short Film – A Good Day Will Come (Canada, 2023) – Amir Zargara – 29 mins 59 seconds
  • 2:00 pm – 2:18 pm: Screening of Best International Documentary – Swallow Flying to the South (United States, 2023) – Mochi Lin – 17 mins 38 seconds
  • 2:18 pm – 2:45 pm: Break
  • 2:45 pm – 3:55 pm: Screening of Best Environmental Film – Rematriation (Canada, 2023) – Alexi Liotti – 1 hour and 7 mins
  • 3:55 pm – 4:55 pm: Panel Discussion: (Hope in Times of Crisis: Finding Resilience Amidst Adversity) Filmmakers in attendance. Funded by the Government of Canada and Creative BC
  • 4:55 pm – 5:30 pm: Break

A ticket for Section 4 on Closing Day includes access to all of the following films, panel discussion, and the Community Reception:

SECTION FOUR

  • 5:30 pm – 5:45 pm: Opening remarks and presentations of awards
  • 5:45 pm – 6:02 pm: Screening of Best Student Film – DOSH (United States, 2023) – Radha Mehta – 16 mins and 8 seconds
  • 6:02 pm – 7:34 pm: Screening of Best Feature Film – Rosie (Canada, 2022) – Gail Maurice – 1 hour and 30 mins – Best Feature Film
  • 7:34 pm – 8:30 pm: Panel discussion: (How do communities make us resilient? And how do we build strong genuine communities?) Filmmakers in attendance. Funded by Creative BC and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation
  • 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm: Community Reception with fusion Indian and Western appetizers and snacks.
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