About IFFA

Objectives

To produce an annual film festival for films originating in or connected with the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada for the purpose of educating and advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of South Asian film and to educate the youth, adults and seniors in rural, and underserved areas, and urban centers in Canada through participation by youth’s, adults and seniors in such film festivals.
To foster and create a greater appreciation and awareness in youth and all age groups of films originating in or connected with the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada and the diversity of cultures and languages from the South Asian Subcontinent that are represented in these films, including, but not limited to, independent feature films, contemporary feature films, short films, documentary films, animation films and the filmmakers who create these films.
To foster the development of emerging local South Asian diaspora filmmakers, film technicians actors, screenwriters, film editors by providing an opportunity to meet established filmmakers and by offering professional development workshops throughout the year.
To program and screen films of interest from the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada to educators and students in the junior high and high school systems in Alberta and other provinces in Canada in order to “bridge cultures through cinema”.
To provide cross-cultural exchange programs to promote positive race relations, intercultural harmony and respect for diversity in Canada.

About IFFA

The India Film Festival of Alberta Foundation (IFFA) was established in 2015 to showcase films made by independent filmmakers from India and Canada, as well as those from smaller film industries within India. The festival format allowed IFFA to bring films from a wider range of languages (ranging from eight to twelve each year) and cultures, and a wider range of subject matter, to bring film directors, actors, and screenwriters to interact with the audience in the form of after-screening Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and master classes. In addition, IFFA collaborated with local cultural organizations and artists to present song and dance performances and food festivals. All these ingredients together culminated in a grand celebration of Indian culture. IFFA has been held annually every summer since 2015.

Objectives

To produce an annual film festival for films originating in or connected with the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada for the purpose of educating and advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of South Asian film and to educate the youth, adults and seniors in rural, and underserved areas, and urban centers in Canada through participation by youth’s, adults and seniors in such film festivals.

To foster and create a greater appreciation and awareness in youth and all age groups of films originating in or connected with the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada and the diversity of cultures and languages from the South Asian Subcontinent that are represented in these films, including, but not limited to, independent feature films, contemporary feature films, short films, documentary films, animation films and the filmmakers who create these films.

To foster the development of emerging local South Asian diaspora filmmakers, film technicians actors, screenwriters, film editors by providing an opportunity to meet established filmmakers and by offering professional development workshops throughout the year.

To program and screen films of interest from the South Asian Subcontinent and/or South Asian diaspora in Canada to educators and students in the junior high and high school systems in Alberta and other provinces in Canada in order to “bridge cultures through cinema”.

To provide cross-cultural exchange programs to promote positive race relations, intercultural harmony and respect for diversity in Canada.