Documentary Filmmaker
“Awards and acknowledgements are the food for the soul of an artist. They offer the appreciation that is often lacking in our culture; a culture that discourages young people from pursuing the arts. Where the arts are seen as hobbies or unrealistic pursuits for those seeking professional recognition and respect within the community. I was there since the inception of ANOKHI and I witnessed its steady and determined rise under the stewardship of Raj Girn. I am incredibly moved and honoured to have my work appreciated in Hotstar Presents The ANOKHI List 2017 and my toil recognized by this incredible organization. I hope to continue making it proud with my future works as well. Thank you. Shukriya. Dhanevaad.”
~ Arshad Khan, Documentary Filmmaker
“I know many people who have a social conscience and lead an exemplary life. But I know very few people who translate their social conscience to social activism. Arshad is one of them. This rare quality is what makes Arshad totally unique (Anokha) in my opinion.”
~ Deepa Mehta, Film Director
Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker Arshad Khan is making his mark on the global documentary
scene through his exploration of taboo issues within the South Asian community. The award-winning graduate of Concordia University’s Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, now balances his roles at various Canadian production companies with heading up Mississauga’s Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival and his own film company, Gray Matter Productions, based out of Montreal.
His first full-length feature, Abu (2017), took five years to make and is no doubt one of his proudest achievements. Khan was in the process of making another film, but after making a five-minute memorial video when his father, or abu (the Urdu word for father), died it opened up a whole new project — his life story. And so, through a combination of media, such as VHS home videos, iPhone footage and interviews with his family members, he created a film about the challenges he faced growing up as a gay man in Pakistan and the love-hate relationship he had with his abu (father), who equated being gay to being a drug dealer or a murderer.
Abu has earned Khan invitations to film festivals across the globe including the BFI London Film Festival, the Los Angeles Film Festival and the One World Film Festival, winning two Jury prizes including the 2017 Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature at Twist: 22nd Seattle Queer Film Festival. But despite his burgeoning success, Khan hasn’t forgotten his roots. He has offered a series of seminars on guerrilla filmmaking and multi-platform film distribution at the National College of the Arts and Karachi University in Pakistan, and he teaches others his craft by offering workshops around the world.
Filmmaker Arshad Khan Talks About His New Documentary ‘Abu’
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