The Sundar Prize Film Festival is proud to announce its inaugural competition for filmmakers who use their art to create meaningful social impact. The festival seeks to recognize beautiful films that uplift our world through impactful and informative storytelling about social causes and issues. With over $10,000 CAD in cash prizes, the festival will award the Top 5 films in select categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Animation, and Best Student Film. The winners will be announced during the film festival, which will take place on June 15 and 16, 2024, at the Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall in Surrey, British Columbia.
Founded by Alex Sangha, an award-winning social worker and documentary film producer, and Vinay Giridhar, an award-winning director, editor, and visual artist, the Sundar Prize Film Festival is an initiative of Sher Vancouver, a registered charity in Canada that supports LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends, families, and allies. The festival is also a proud member of the Film Festival Alliance, a collaborative global community for mission-driven film festivals.
Films with any theme are welcome, but the festival encourages filmmakers who showcase social justice issues, human rights, immigrants and refugees, Indigenous peoples, people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, vulnerable and marginalized peoples, environment and climate change, and educational films.
KDocsFF FILMMAKER RESIDENCY PRIZE
KDocsFF, which is associated with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is entering its second decade, is a Festival Partner of the Sundar Prize Film Festival. As Metro Vancouver’s premier social justice documentary film festival, KDocsFF celebrates the power of documentary film and documentary activism. KDocsFF is working with Sher Vancouver to offer a filmmaker’s residency program in the KDocsFF Social Justice Lab located on the Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Surrey campus. The four-month residency will give the emerging local filmmaker a dedicated workspace with editing equipment and access to the University’s film studies faculty and students as test audiences, as well as consultation and expertise. The winner will also receive a $1000 CAD cash prize.
“We believe in creating a space that is welcoming and safe for all filmmakers and audiences, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, or ability,” says the Sundar Prize Film Festival team. “We value films that promote understanding, compassion, and empathy towards marginalized communities and social issues. We celebrate the artistry and innovation of filmmakers who use their craft to tell compelling stories and shed light on important social issues.”
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The festival is now accepting film submissions, and shortlisted submissions will be submitted to a jury that will watch, rank, and score the films. Films released within the last two years after December 25, 2020, are eligible for the cash prizes.
To submit your film, visit https://filmfreeway.com/sundarprize.
