Langley City, BC – October 21, 2023 – Sher Vancouver is thrilled to announce that Vinay Giridhar’s remarkable debut feature documentary, “Emergence: Out of the Shadows,” has received the Best Feature Film Award (19+ category) at the inaugural Langley City Film Festival. The awards ceremony and screening took place at Lumiere Film Studios in Langley on Saturday, October 21, 2023, marking a poignant conclusion to a successful festival circuit.
The Langley City Film Festival was organized by the City of Langley’s Arts, Recreation, Culture, and Heritage (ARCH) Committee, in collaboration with the Langley Arts Council and the City of Langley, under the theme ‘Transitions.’ “Emergence: Out of the Shadows” captivated the audience as the closing film on Opening Night, leaving a lasting impact on attendees.
In recognition of this exceptional achievement, the documentary will be awarded a $1000 cash prize and an exclusive tour of a local film studio. Director Vinay Giridhar expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s journey, stating, “The Langley City Film Festival marked the end of our film festival circuit, with 51 official selections in total. I feel we have come full circle by showcasing our film in Metro Vancouver, where the film was shot, and walking away with one of the top prizes! I am very happy but, more importantly, feel the film is having an impact on youth struggling with their sexuality, helping them come out, and even saving lives.”
“Emergence: Out of the Shadows” has garnered recognition and praise on the international stage, with screenings at Academy Award, BAFTA, and five Canadian Screen Award qualifying festivals. It screened locally at the prestigious Vancouver Queer Film Festival, Vancouver Asian Film Festival, as well as the honor of being the Closing Film and winning Best Documentary at the International South Asian Film Festival.
The documentary’s impact extends beyond the festival circuit, as it was broadcast on Knowledge Network, TVO, and OUTtv in Canada, and screened in over 50 schools in Metro Vancouver. To further support its mission, a teacher’s discussion guide has been created to accompany the film, which has also been translated into English, French, Hindi, and Punjabi subtitles.
Upcoming Screening and Panel Discussion
Location: Ladner United Church, 4960 48th Avenue, Delta, BC, Canada, British Columbia
Sponsored by: Delta Pride Society, Estuary Church, and Ladner United Church
Date: October 29, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
For more details and to RSVP, visit this Facebook event.
For additional information about “Emergence: Out of the Shadows,” please visit the official website or view the official trailer.
Photos:
Digital Certificate from Langley City Film Festival 2023
Photo of Councillor Rosemary Wallace of the City of Langley (left), Producer and Cast of Emergence: Out of the Shadows Alex Sangha (centre), and David Williams of Langley Arts Council (right)
