The Heart Smiles
The Heart Smiles © Urban Pilgrim Creators 2024
Get ready for a heartwarming tale as two old college flames, Maha and Hardeep, now grandparents, reunite thanks to the meddling of mischievous Puck, Maha’s granddaughter.
Their rekindled romance leads them to impulsively run away together, their impromptu getaway quickly proving more chaotic than romantic as they encounter yodeling ukulele players, eccentric hitchhikers, and camping in the middle of nowhere. The getaway pops the bubble of their infatuation.
The Heart Smiles is a delightful exploration of what happens when grandparents act like teenagers, reminding us of the importance of lasting relationships in an age that often undervalues them.
Key Facts
World Premiere at IFFSA Toronto 2024: Cineplex Cinemas Courtney Park, 110 Courtneypark Dr E, Mississauga
Format: 4K DCI, 2024, 25 min.
Country: Canada
Production Company: Urban Pilgrim Creators
Produced with the support of IFFSA Talent Fund 2023/24
Download: Press Kit, Photos & Poster
Starring
Feryal Khan as Maha
Navdeep Bobby Jhajj as Hardeep
Maya Sophia Henderson as Puck
Jordana Strigberger as Sarah
Avtar Kamboj as Rakesh
Ashfaq Abbasi as Jacob
Hannah Brennen as Artist
Moosa Kamran as Farm Boy
Zainab's Echo as Goth Girl
Alina Malik as Backpacker
Rigel Ali Abbasi, Zayaan Mahmud and Zeenia Mahmud as Children
Juliette as ... Horse
Crew
Producer: Ashfaq Abbasi
Director: Aftab Abbasi
Writer: Sobia Younus, Aftab Abbasi
Script Supervisor: Raven Kuhn
Assistant Director: Anna Abbasi
Production Manager: Sobia Younus
Cinematographer: Dante Nardulli
1st AC: Aviel David Kurkular
2nd AC: Hussain Alokaily
Sound Recordist: Leo Wei
Editor: Anna Abbasi
Special Thanks to
Nichelina Arti Aurangabadkar, Kamran Fazal, Tooba Mohtsham, Faryal Anwar, Saniya Sohail, Teri Loretto, Kendra
Location: Gallery Stratford & Region of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Gallery
The Heart Smiles © Urban Pilgrim Creators 2024
- More Information
The Heart Smiles
****WINNER****
We are excited to share this amazing news!IFFSA 2023-24 Bright Lights Program selected our film from amongst the many entries.A distinguished panel of international and Canadian filmmakers and professionals, including Anup Singh (TIFF), Sami Khan (Oscars), Gurvinder Singh (Cannes), and Avi Grewal (RBC), played a pivotal role in selecting the winners.IFFSA Talent Fund - Building South Asian Canadian Narrative Through Cinema.2024 | CA | 26 minNews
IFFSA Talent Fund Announces Winners For The 2023-24 Bright Lights Program
Toronto, ON (Dec 10, 2023), Official Press ReleaseThe IFFSA Talent Fund is delighted to unveil the recipients of the 2023-24 Bright Lights Program. In its second year, the fund is set to distribute a total of $42,000 along with valuable mentoring to fuel the creative journeys of three promising films.The projects selected for the 2023-24 edition are: "3200 Degrees Fahrenheit" by Gavin Seal, ”Shadows of the Past" by Allen Thomas, and ”The Heart Smiles" by Aftab Abbasi.As the voice of South Asian cinema in Canada, the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto launched the IFFSA Talent Fund initiative to champion South Asian Canadian filmmakers. Remaining steadfast in its mission to support the development, promotion, and celebration of talent and cinematic arts, the festival leverages the fund as a catalyst to empower filmmakers and amplify the South Asian Canadian narrative through the art of cinema.A distinguished panel of international and Canadian filmmakers and professionals, including Anup Singh (TIFF), Sami Khan (Oscars), Gurvinder Singh (Cannes), and Avi Grewal (RBC), played a pivotal role in selecting the winners. Expressing his thoughts on behalf of IFFSA Talent Fund, Sunny Gill expressed gratitude, stating, "We are thankful to the jury for their meticulous work in making these selections. It's a great responsibility to choose the winners, and we look forward to continuing to encourage, nurture, and present to the world thrilling new filmmakers."Supported by Telefilm Canada and RBC, the IFFSA Talent Fund serves as a critical resource for filmmakers, breaking down systemic barriers by providing the necessary support to bring their creative visions to life. The fund not only serves as a financial resource but also as a crucial pillar in fostering an inclusive film industry that reflects the diverse voices of South Asian Canadians.The Heart Smiles
****WINNER****
We are excited to share this amazing news!IFFSA 2023-24 Bright Lights Program selected our film from amongst the many entries.A distinguished panel of international and Canadian filmmakers and professionals, including Anup Singh (TIFF), Sami Khan (Oscars), Gurvinder Singh (Cannes), and Avi Grewal (RBC), played a pivotal role in selecting the winners.IFFSA Talent Fund - Building South Asian Canadian Narrative Through Cinema.2024 | CA | 15 min
in production“The Heart Smilies“ is a romantic comedy about grandparents acting like teenagers who embark on an impromptu journey of self-discovery, love and companionship.![urbanpilgrimcreaterscom--article-3194-0.jpeg]()
