The Sundar Prize Film Festival is an international film awards competition with over $10,000 CAD in cash prizes for the Top 5 films in the select categories.

The winning films will be screened at the iconic, landmark Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall in Surrey, British Columbia.

The Sundar Prize Film Festival seeks to recognize beautiful films that uplift our world through impactful and informative storytelling about social causes and social issues that have social impact.

Films with any theme are welcome but we encourage filmmakers who showcase the following communities and causes:

• Human Rights
• Immigrants and Refugees
• Social Justice Issues
• Indigenous Peoples
• People of Color
• LGBTQ+ Community
• Vulnerable and Marginalized Peoples
• Environment and Climate Change
• Educational Films

SHER VANCOUVER

The Sundar Prize Film Festival is an initiative of Sher Vancouver which is a registered charity in Canada. For more information check out: https://www.shervancouver.com/

FESTIVAL PARTNER - KDocsFF

KDocsFF which is associated with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and is entering its second decade is a Festival Partner of the Sundar Prize Film Festival. As Metro Vancouver's premier social justice documentary film festival, KDocsFF celebrates the power of documentary film and documentary activism.

FILM FESTIVAL ALLIANCE

The Sundar Prize Film Festival is a proud member of the Film Festival Alliance which aims to create a collaborative global community for mission-driven film festivals.

FOUNDERS OF THE SUNDAR PRIZE FILM FESTIVAL

Alex Sangha is an award-winning social worker and documentary film producer. He produced a short documentary, My Name Was January, about transgender people of color, and a feature documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows, about coming out in the South Asian community of Metro Vancouver. He received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada for founding Sher Vancouver which is a registered charity for LGBTQ+ South Asians and their friends, families, and allies. Alex is a member of the Documentary Organization of Canada and is a graduate of the Business for Producers program at the National Screen Institute.

Vinay Giridhar is an award-winning director, editor, and visual artist. His debut feature documentary, Emergence: Out of the Shadows, was an official selection at nearly 50 established film festivals around the world including Out On Film in Atlanta which is an Academy Award qualifying festival, Frameline in San Francisco which is a BAFTA qualifying festival, and five Canadian Screen Award qualifying festivals. The film was also broadcast on Knowledge Network in British Columbia, TVO in Ontario, and OUTtv across Canada. Vinay is a graduate of the Classical Animation program at the Vancouver Film School.

SUNDAR PRIZE FILM FESTIVAL

MOTTO
Where cinema meets social change

MISSION
Our mission is to recognize and showcase films that use impactful and informative storytelling to raise awareness and inspire action on critical social causes and issues. We aim to celebrate filmmakers who are committed to creating positive social impact and promoting empathy, understanding, and social justice.

VISION
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.

VALUES
• Inclusivity: We believe in creating a space that is welcoming and safe for all filmmakers and audiences, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion, or ability.
• Empathy: We value films that promote understanding, compassion, and empathy towards marginalized communities and social issues.
• Authenticity: We value films that accurately and respectfully represent the experiences and perspectives of the communities and causes they portray.
• Impact: We believe in the power of film to inspire action and create positive change in the world.
• Creativity: We celebrate the artistry and innovation of filmmakers who use their craft to tell compelling stories and shed light on important social issues.

Awards & Prizes

The winners of the inaugural Sundar Prize are announced at the film festival on June 15 and 16, 2024.

Shortlisted submissions will be submitted to a jury that will watch, rank, and score the films.

Films released within the last two years after December 1, 2020 are eligible for the following cash prizes in Canadian dollars:

• Best Feature Film - $5000
• Best Documentary - $2500
• Best Short Film - $1500
• Best Animation - $1000
• Best Student Film - $500

The winners will also receive:

• Official Laurel for the winners, finalists, and official selections
• Digital Certificate for the winners
• Letter of Congratulations for the winners
• Trophy mailed to the winners

EMERGING FILMMAKER RESIDENCY PRIZE IN VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA

Now an official Festival Partner of the Sundar Prize, KDocsFF is working with Sher Vancouver to offer a filmmaker’s residency program in the KDocsFF Social Justice Lab located on the Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Surrey campus.

The four-month residency will give the emerging local filmmaker a dedicated workspace with editing equipment and access to the University’s film studies faculty and students as test audiences, as well as consultation and expertise.

The winner will also receive a $1000 CAD cash prize.

Please note only emerging filmmakers with less than five professional credits who are willing to reside in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada are eligible to apply. Please note applicants need to be a Permanent Resident or have Canadian Citizenship.

Submissions from BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, and marginalized communities are strongly encouraged.

The KDocsFF Filmmaker’s Residency will be awarded at the inaugural Sundar Prize Film Festival in June 15 to 16, 2024. For more information contact: greg.chan@kpu.ca

CENTRE STAGE THEATRE AT SURREY CITY HALL

The winners are announced in June 2024 and the winning films will be screened at the iconic, landmark Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall in Surrey, British Columbia over two days before a live audience.

SELECTION PROCESS

Official Selections are shortlisted by a jury from all the films submitted.

Out of the official selections, five films in each category that rank and score the highest by the jury become a Finalist.

Of those finalists, one Award Winner is selected in each category by a separate independent jury.

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

Only the Award Winners in each of the five categories are screened at the film festival.

Rules & Terms

REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS AND RULES

Entry Fee
Entry fees are not refundable.

Multiple Entries
Multiple entries are permitted in all categories as long as the film has been released within the last two years after December 1, 2020.

Cash Prizes
Cash prizes are issued in Canadian currency only. Payment is made via email transfer or PayPal in Canada, and via PayPal only outside of Canada. Neither Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society (“Sher Vancouver”) nor its affiliates are responsible for any government taxes or withholdings related to the allocation of prize money; such responsibility is solely that of the prize winner.

Selection Process
Official Selections are shortlisted by a jury from all the films submitted. Out of the official selections, five films in each category that rank and score the highest by the jury become a Finalist. Of those finalists, one Award Winner is selected in each category by a separate independent jury. Decisions made by the jury are final and are not open to arbitration.

Festival Screenings
Only the five Award Winners in each of the five categories are screened at the film festival.

Alumni
Alumni of the Sundar Prize can request a full fee waiver code by emailing sundarprize@gmail.com if they have previously been an official selection, finalist, or winner.

Films
All films must be uploaded to FilmFreeway. Award winners must provide download access of their film on FilmFreeway. A download link to the film can also be emailed to sundarprize@gmail.com.

Subtitles
All non-English films must have burned in English subtitles

Film Assets for Finalists and Award Winners
The official trailer (YouTube link preferred), official poster, synopsis, and producer and director bio and photo must be emailed to sundarprize@gmail.com for marketing and promotion purposes. This requirement is for finalists and award winners only.

Social Media and Website for Finalists and Award Winners
Please also send your film’s social media handles for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as the film’s official website by emailing sundarprize@gmail.com. This requirement is for finalists and award winners only.

Thank You Videos for Award Winners
The winners are required to submit a thank you video approximately 60 seconds long that is an MP4 file that can be used for marketing and promotion purposes. Please email sundarprize@gmail.com. This requirement is for award winners only.

Student Films
The director must currently be a student or submit a student film that was released within the last two years after December 1, 2020.

Copyright
All entrants must ensure that appropriate clearances for copyright and personal rights required for public exhibition, marketing, and promotion of the official trailer and submitted film have been obtained. Failure to do so will result in the entry being disqualified. Upon selection, the entrant grants the Sher Vancouver, and its sponsors, supporters, community partners, and festival partners, the right to utilize publicity materials related to the film (i.e., press kits, posters, filmmaker profiles, stills, trailers, preview tapes, etc.) for promotional purposes in all mediums, including broadcast, print, and internet. By submitting a film, you indemnify Sher Vancouver and its affiliates, directors, officers, sponsors, community partners, festival partners, and other related persons from any and all liability resulting from your failure to comply with this section or any other such breach of the rights of a third party.  Furthermore, by submitting to Sundar you release Sher Vancouver from all risk and liability in the event of theft or breach of copyright of your materials while on Festival premises. The official trailer and clips from the film may be used in media interviews and other marketing and promotion of Sher Vancouver, the festival, sponsors, and community partners. The winning films will be screened at City Centre Library in Surrey, British Columbia before a live audience over two days.

The film has been submitted for consideration with the knowledge and consent of the Producer(s) and/or rights holders listed in the submission.

Participation in the Sundar Prize implies an understanding and acceptance of these regulations. Sher Vancouver reserves the right to change or modify these rules and regulations at any time without prior notice.