Surrey, BC – The Sundar Prize Film Festival is proud to unveil a powerful lineup of queer films for its second annual edition, amplifying diverse voices and lived experiences from across the globe. With a mission to foster social impact through cinema, this year’s theme, Life in Motion: Journeys of Growth and Discovery, is reflected in an exceptional selection of queer films that explore identity, love, resilience, and transformation.
These stories are more than just films—they are lifelines of representation, bridges of empathy, and bold affirmations of being. As a festival that celebrates meaningful storytelling and underrepresented voices, the Sundar Prize continues to be a platform where queer filmmakers can be seen, heard, and celebrated.
“Programming queer films at the Sundar Prize is an act of care, resistance, and celebration,” says Sidartha Murjani, Executive Director and Senior Programmer of the festival. “We deliberately seek out films that are not only artistically excellent but emotionally resonant—films that challenge the norm, uplift queer joy, and honour the truths of marginalized communities. We want these stories to stay with you long after the credits roll.”
“As a Co-Founder and Finalist Juror, I’m moved by how many of the shortlisted queer films this year capture intimate, brave, and beautifully complex portraits of queer lives,” shares Vinay Giridhar, Festival Co-Founder and filmmaker. “These films reflect the mission of the Sundar Prize—to spark empathy and action. By championing queer voices and offering them a global stage, we help build a world where diverse expressions of love, identity, and humanity are not only accepted but celebrated.”
“Sher Vancouver, the charity behind the Sundar Prize, has worked for nearly 17 years to support and uplift queer South Asians and their loved ones,” explains Alex Sangha, Festival Co-Founder and Founder of Sher Vancouver. “The inclusion of queer films at the festival directly aligns with our mission to reduce isolation, promote understanding, and advocate for the rights and dignity of 2SLGBTQ+ people. Through film, we build bridges between communities, and offer hope to those still searching for acceptance.”
The 2025 Sundar Prize Film Festival will run from April 9 to 13 at the VIFF Centre, SFU Surrey Campus, and Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford, featuring in-person screenings. With a focus on authentic representation and bold storytelling, the festival invites audiences to witness the vibrancy, complexity, and truth of queer lives across the world.
Join us in Surrey this April to experience cinema that transforms, empowers, and inspires.
For more information, visit: www.sundarprize.com
Featured Queer Films in the 2025 Sundar Prize Film Festival:
Jia (Australia, 2024, 15 min, Dir. Vee Shi) – BC Premiere
Logline: Ming, a grieving Chinese mother, arrives in Australia to embark on a road trip with a young Caucasian man, Eric, to remember her late son. But she soon discovers that Eric was in a romantic relationship with her son, which clashes with her conservative values.
Winner of Best Direction in an Australian Short Film at Flickerfest 2023 (Oscar-qualifying festival). Assets
My Roommate Ahriman (British Columbia, 2023, 17 min, Dir. Nessa Aref) – Surrey Premiere
Logline: A young Iranian-Canadian man comes to terms with his sexuality and contends with the disconnection from his culture while inadvertently cohabitating with an ancient Persian Spirit of Chaos. Assets
Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot (Canada, 2024, 105 min, Dir. Regan Latimer) – Surrey Premiere
Logline: In Bulletproof: A Lesbian’s Guide to Surviving the Plot, filmmaker Regan Latimer takes an insightful, funny, and personal look at queer representation on television and media’s power to shape how we see ourselves. With pop culture references and original animation, the film journeys across North America in a quest to understand the forces that influence LGBTQ+ stories on screen. Assets.
A Simple Ask (United States, 2024, 9 min, Dir. Nadya Naumaan)
Logline: Nida, a young Muslim struggling with unspoken feelings, takes to the forest to seek guidance from Allah about their secret crush. Unintentionally summoning a fearsome ancestor, Nida is met with an unconventional yet strangely fitting push toward self-acceptance. Assets.
Body Varial (British Columbia, 2024, 15 min, Dir. Audrey Kerridge) – Surrey Premiere
Logline: After recently undergoing top surgery, a transmasculine skateboarder attempts to reintegrate themselves back into daily life. Throughout their recovery, they discover newfound struggles both physically and mentally in life post-operation. Assets.
Canyon Chorus (United States, 2023, 17 min, Dir. Chris Cresci) – BC Premiere
Logline: Set against the backdrop of Desolation Canyon, LGBTQ+ advocate and world-record traveler Mikah Meyer reflects with close friends and his mentor, Larry Edwards, on the power of mentorship within the queer community.
Nominated for Best International Documentary at the Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025. Assets.
Leilani’s Fortune (Canada, 2023, 80 min, Dir. Loveleen Kaur) – Surrey Premiere
Logline: An intimate documentary following the blossoming career of queer, Ethiopian-Eritrean artist Witch Prophet. After a decade of struggling as an independent artist, she is finally receiving the validation and support she needs to create the album of her prophecies.
Nominated for Best 2SLGBTQ+ Film at the Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025. Assets.
A Commitment to Queer Representation
The Sundar Prize Film Festival is proud to highlight stories that reflect the richness and diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ experiences. From deeply personal journeys to explorations of cultural identity, resilience, and joy, these films offer a powerful platform for visibility and representation.
Join us in celebrating these remarkable films and their talented filmmakers at the Sundar Prize Film Festival 2025, from April 9-13 in Vancouver and Surrey, BC.
Festival Schedule
Festival Pre-Launch – We Will Be Brave Screening
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
VIFF Centre – VIFF Cinema | 6:30 PM
Get Tickets Here
Opening Night & Networking Reception with Open Mic Pitch Session
Thursday, April 10, 2025
SFU Surrey Campus | 5:30 PM onwards
Film Screenings & Panels
Friday, April 11 – Sunday, April 13, 2025
Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Awards Ceremony & Closing Night
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Landmark Cinemas Surrey, Guildford | 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
