Salaam B’y [Shorts Session 3]
Aatif Baskanderi grew up in a place where not many people looked like him or believed in the same things that he did. As a Muslim child of Pakistani immigrants, Newfoundland became home. His experiences growing up on “the rock” was like something out of a story book. On this cold, isolated island in the Atlantic ocean, Aatif learned sincerity and appreciation for others that would set him up for remarkable success in life.
As an engineer with a keen interest for social justice, he embarked on a journey to connect the two. Guided by his Muslim & Newfoundlander values, this led him to studying at the London School of Economics, researching Fair Trade farmers in Palestine, working on malaria prevention in Sierra Leone, informing science policy in Canada, the UK & Europe, leading Engineers Without Borders across Canada, and currently working as an innovation specialist at a global power company in Calgary, Alberta.
While things are going well for Aatif, the same cannot be said for his home province, which is facing tumultuous economic times. In hopes of inspiring a new generation of Newfoundlanders to live their dreams, Aatif returns to Newfoundland to share his story of pluralism and tolerance.
At a time of increasing racial and religious friction across the west, Aatif’s story is a reminder of what can happen when a community welcomes outsiders with open arms.
Director
With his debut feature The Secret Trial 5 (2014), Amar Wala established himself as a daring new voice in Canadian cinema. The film would earn him the 2014 Magnus Isaacson Award at RIDM, and the Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker at Hot Docs. A graduate of York University’s acclaimed Film program, Amar is known for his incredible eye and keen sense of social justice. His works often revolves around themes of race, immigration, and identity.
Firmly planted as one of Toronto’s top young documentarians, his scripted work has also garnered high praise at home and abroad. His first short film, The Good Son, premiered at the Dubai International Film Festival and caught the attention of TIFF Director Cameron Bailey, who named Amar one of Toronto’s Top 10 Filmmakers in 2008 (Now Magazine).
Amar recently directed the series PAYDAY for Viceland, as well a documentary series for the CBC entitled We Are Canada.
Festivals/Awards
Canadian Diversity Film Festival (Winner – Best Documentary), Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival, Nickel Independent Film Festival, Regina International Film Festival and Awards, Vox Popular Media Arts Festival, Redline International Film Festival