World Premiere
From local co-directors Baljit Sangra (Because We Are Girls) and Nilesh Patel, this spirited documentary follows four junior hockey players of South Asian descent throughout the 2021-2022 season as they strive to be drafted into the NHL. Arjun Bawa and Kayden Sadhra-Kang skate in the footsteps of their father Robin Bawa, who made history in 1989 as the first South Asian to play in the NHL. Meanwhile, seasoned defenseman Arvin Atwal seeks to shed the fighter reputation he acquired in the American Hockey League by transferring to Slovakia. And, in an uplifting turn of events, the film traces the journey of Surrey’s own Arshdeep Bains to signing with the Vancouver Canucks. The passion for Canada’s national sport is contagious as Coach Harbs Bains— owner of the Lake Cowichan Kraken and past president of the Surrey Minor Hockey Association— and Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition commentator Harnarayan Singh unpack the revolutionary, life-changing power of diverse representation on screen and on ice: “Mareya shot, keetah goal!”
October 2 & 7: Q&A with directors Baljit Sangra & Nilesh Patel & crew
Series Media Partner
Harbz Bains, Arshdeep Bains, Arvin Athwal, Robin Bawa, Harnarayan Singh
Canada
2023
Insights
English
Coarse Language, Violence
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Executive Producer
Selwyn Jacob
Producer
Baljit Sangra, Nilesh Patel
Screenwriter
Baljit Sangra
Cinematography
Eva Brownstein
Editor
John Adams, Kirk Moses, Jessica Dymond
Original Music
Ruby Singh
Directors
Baljit Sangra
Baljit Sangra is an award-winning documentary filmmaker known for her commitment to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Her latest feature reunites her with Coach Harbs Bains and ice hockey player Arvin Atwal, seven years after she directed them in Hockey United, about South Asian hockey dreams in Canada. She directed the NFB-produced Because We Are Girls, which explored the impact of sexual abuse on a Punjabi family living in BC. With over 18 million minutes viewed on Amazon, the film continues its social impact worldwide. Baljit helms Viva Mantra Films.
Filmography: Because We Are Girls (2019)
Nilesh Patel
For over two decades, Nilesh Patel has dedicated himself to telling the stories of us coming together. As the driving force behind Roaming Pictures, he champions marginalized talents in the film and television realm. His debut, 7 to 11 Indian, was broadcast nationally in 2004. His acclaimed award winning documentary Brocket99 – Rockin’ the Country, preserved in Canada’s National Archive, boldly delved into Canadian racism. Presently, Nilesh, a Concordia MFA alumni, is producing a slate of films through his company Roaming Pictures while continuing to advocate for racial equity in our media landscape.
Filmography: Brocket99: Rockin’ the Country (2006)
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Muzizi
From the director of the award-winning film Union Street, Jamila Pomeroy, Muzizi embarks on a great culinary adventure through Vancouver’s African diasporic culinary scene. Muzizi explores powerful stories of immigration, resilience, and joy.
My Father's Shadow
Akojo Film Collective is proud to present My Father's Shadow, launching African Cinema Now into a new year of vibrant programming at the VIFF Centre. The BAFTA-nominated film follows two boys on an adventure with their father through the streets of Lagos.
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary, and Special Jury Prize Winner, Sundance, 2025, this exposé shot by a Russian primary teacher shows how the Putin propaganda machine works to militarize children.
The Painted Life of E.J. Hughes
A beautiful portrait of E.J. Hughes, who quietly helped reshape the artistic landscape of British Columbia in the 20th century. This extraordinary documentary explores Hughes’s legacy not only as an artist, but as a devoted, humble human being.
Spring After Spring
Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.