Surrey, British Columbia – The Sundar Prize is excited to announce that the call for submissions is now open for its upcoming festival, set to take place from April 11 to 13, 2025, at the Simon Fraser University – Surrey Campus and Landmark Cinemas in Guildford. Following a successful and impactful inaugural edition, the festival continues to uphold its mission of recognizing and showcasing films that utilize powerful and informative storytelling to raise awareness and inspire action on critical social causes and issues.
2024 Festival
The inaugural 2024 festival at Surrey City Hall presented 9 awards with over 400+ people in attendance over two days. The festival also attracted 23 published media articles, 58 sponsors, supporters, and media partners, and visiting filmmakers from Montreal, Toronto, Los Angeles, and throughout British Columbia. Six of the nine winning films were Canadian. The festival received 228 film submissions and had 27 finalists in its first year. Half of these finalists were women directors and nearly two-thirds were BIPOC.
“It is wonderful to provide a platform for diverse and underrepresented voices from across Canada and the world, and bring their beautiful films to the heart of Surrey, which is soon to become the largest city in British Columbia. The Sundar Prize wants to do what it can to shine a light on local films and support emerging artists as well,” states Sundar Prize Co-Founder Alex Sangha.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to celebrate filmmakers who are committed to creating positive social impact and promoting empathy, understanding, and social justice. We connect filmmakers and audiences for a transformative cinematic experience, welcoming films with any theme while encouraging those that highlight the following communities and causes:
· Human Rights
· Immigrants and Refugees
· Social Justice Issues
· Indigenous Peoples
· People of Colour
· LGBTQ+ Community
· Vulnerable and Marginalized Peoples
· Environment and Climate Change
· Educational Films
Our vision is a world where film is a powerful tool for social change, where diverse communities and causes are represented and celebrated, and where impactful storytelling inspires action towards a more just and equitable society.
Unique Features of the Sundar Prize
· A festival founded by filmmakers
· Living wages for the jury
· Honorariums for volunteers, panelists, and moderators
· Travel support for visiting filmmakers
· Cash prizes for winners
· Screening fees
· Affordable tickets
· Free community access passes for people in need
· Eco-friendly and sustainable trophies made out of bamboo, crafted and designed in BC
· A Social Justice Advisor as a key member of our team
· Affordable film submission fees
· A platform to showcase underrepresented voices
· Opportunities for practicum students
· Open Mic during networking receptions for filmmakers to pitch their projects
· KDocsFF Emerging Filmmaker Residency at Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Cash Prizes
· Best Feature Film – $2500
· Best Short Film – $500
· Rogers Group of Funds Best Canadian Documentary – $2500
· Best International Documentary – $1000
· Best Animation – $1000
· Best Environmental Film – $1000
· Best 2SLGBTQ+ Film – $1000
· Best Youth Film (19 and under) – $500
· Best Student Film – $500
· Best British Columbia Feature Film – $1000
· Best British Columbia Short Film – $500
· KDocsFF Best Emerging Filmmaker Residency Award $1000
The call for submissions opened recently on June 18, 2024, on FilmFreeway.
Submit Your Film: https://filmfreeway.com/SundarPrize
