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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 50 John Bkila Sub-Editor jbkila@oakvillebeaver.com Spotlight shines on Sheridan grads at TIFF by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene "Connected to your Community" Eyes may be on the celebrities flocking to Toronto for the International Film Festival (TIFF), but the spotlight will also be on Sheridan Oakville grads who will premiere their films at TIFF this year. Two films -- Shahzad and India in a Day -- directed by Sheridan alumni, had their official premieres last Friday (Sept. 9). Richie Mehta directs India in a Day with executive producer Ridley Scott. The documentary is a new form of non-fiction filmmaking where, on Oct. 10, 2015, millions of people used their smartphones and cameras to record their lives. They uploaded the footage to a website, and Mehta, a graduate of the Advanced Television and Film program, edited the different perspectives into a portrait of the country that includes stories from all walks of life. Mehta said he wanted to make the film because it was a chance to extend what he began years ago at Sheridan -- exploring his cultural heritage through film. "What I've come to learn now, after years, is that if we can understand what's happening in India, we'll have a better understanding of what's happening in the world, and -- quite simply -- of humanity," he said in a media release. "When too many people are squeezed into a place with too few resources, and they get along like India does, it's extraordinary." India in a Day will screen again at TIFF tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 16) at 3:45 p.m. Previous screenings took place Sunday (Sept. 11) as well. Alumna Haya Waseem's short film Shahzad also delves into the emotion and struggles of everyday life. It tells the story of a young boy and his father moving from Pakistan to Canada. Their relationship is tested as they learn to navigate a new country and culture. The 11-minute film was created almost entirely by Sheridan A screenshot of Shahzad, directed by Sheridan alum Haya Waseem. The short film premieres at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). | Sheridan College courtesy alumni. Waseem, a 2012 graduate in media arts (now known as Bachelor of Film and Television), is the director, while the film is produced by fellow media arts grad Prionnsias Murphy. In all, nearly a dozen Sheridan grads lent their skills to the film. Shahzad will be screened Friday (Sept. 16) at 3 p.m. at TIFF .A previous screening was also held Sunday (Sept. 11). Sheridan's presence at TIFF is just the latest example showcasing the college's excellence in filmmaking, according to the college. Last year, recent animation graduates Melody Wang and Taha Neyestani each directed films that earned a nod on TIFF's list of Top Ten Student Films of 2015. Maija Saari, associate dean for Sheridan's Department of Film, Television and Journalism, said Sheridan's accomplishments at TIFF are a testament to the skills and knowledge students gain at the college. "We're known for our hands-on, real-world experiences," she noted in the release. "Sheridan gives students the confidence to become top writers, directors, producers and editors in Canada and beyond. We are so proud of all our alumni's accomplishments." Off screen, members of Sheridan's Screen Industries Research and Training (SIRT) Centre will take part in panel discussions examining how Virtual Reality will change how filmmakers tell stories. Today (Thursday, Sept. 15), SIRT's director John Helliker will join a discussion exploring how production teams can build virtual reality projects, while later in the day, David Dexter, SIRT's operations and business development lead, will be part of a conversation examining how virtual reality is changing the business landscape. To find more about India in a Day or Shahzad, visit tiff.net/ films/india-in-a-day or tiff.net/films/shahzad, respectively. Big Movies, Small Prices! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville General: $8.50 children (3-13): $6.50 Seniors (65+): $6.50 tuesdays: $5.00 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @filmcacinemas Sully (pG) September 9 bridGet JoneS baby (14a) the maGnificent Seven (14a) September 16 September 23 StorkS (Stc) September 23 miSS pereGrine'S home ome for peculiar children (Stc) September 30