Virtual SAFF: Watch Films Presented by South Asian Film Festival From the Comfort of Your Home

Missed the Dallas or the New York City South Asian Film Festival hosted by JINGO Ventures? Worry not. The Texas, New York and India-based media conglomerate is currently hosting a virtual film festival showcasing all the films from the physical festivals, plus 12 additional titles that will have their world and North American premieres at the digital destination. 

According to festival founder and director Jitin Hingorani, the virtual festival was added: “because our online programming during the 2020 lockdown was so successful and attracted an astounding number of cinephiles across North America.”

Viewers can access shorts, documentaries and feature films that will lift spirits and provide inspiration. There’s Ajitesh Sharma’s documentary “WOMB” (Women Of My Billion), Gaurav Madan’s drama “Barah by Barah,” Rajaram Rajendran’s sci-fi thriller “Rani Rani Rani,” Tushar Tyagi’s “Saving Chintu,” and Faraz Arif Ansari’s “Sheer Qorma,” which were all screened to rave reviews in Dallas and New York. 

“WOMB” is “a heart-warming watch exploring the socio-political issues faced by women of today’s India.” The documentary feature highlights the monumental journey through Srishti Bakshi’s lens, her interaction with over 85,000 women over more than 100 workshops she conducted in schools, villages and institutions on her walk from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

“Barah by Barah” is the story of Sooraj (Gyanendar Tripath), the last remaining death photographer at the burning banks of Manikarnika, who is going through troubled times like old Kashi. The ancient town is being demolished to build modern beautified pathways. The death photographer is out of work because of the fancy smartphones with exquisite cameras. He stands at the crossroads — either he continues seeking dummies to click or he looks for greener pastures beyond the singed banks of Varanasi to secure a better future for his family. 

“Sheer Qorma” is a story of belonging and acceptance, identity and family, and how it comes together under one roof, as resilient, queer Muslim women and non-binary characters of color, choose to embrace love that exists beyond their personal beliefs and social moralities.

Some of the additional films include Kumud Chaudhary’s Chote Nawab,” a story of 13-year-old UK born-and-raised Junaid, who visits his ancestral Nawabi Haveli in Lucknow, over a family reunion for a wedding; Kannada film “Dollu,” the story of Bhadra, a Dollu drummer-dancer; and short films “Ek Dua” and Gajra.”

Virtual SAFF, powered by Movie Saints, will take place online through Oct. 31 and is available here.