Award-winning film PAPER FLOWERS Screening w/ Director Q&A
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The evening will Director Q&A with the film director, producer, and nonprofit partner Desai Foundation.
Join us for a powerful night in the heart of Chinatown as we screen PAPER FLOWERS, the award-winning film inspired by the viral letter “Thank you, cancer” followed by a special Q&A
The film follows Shalin Shah, a driven USC graduate who leaves his tight-knit Indian American family — and the love of his life, Fiona — to serve in the Peace Corps. His plans are upended when a routine check-up uncovers a rare and aggressive cancer, forcing him to return home and confront what a meaningful life truly looks like when time feels suddenly finite.
Based on a true story, PAPER FLOWERS is an emotional journey through love, loss, and the small moments that make life feel full. It’s a reminder to hold the people we love close… and to never miss a sunset.
About the director:
Mahesh Pailoor is an award winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Raised in a seaside town in Maine to immigrant Indian parents, Mahesh’s films often grapple with divergent notions of South Asian identity. His work has been championed at festivals and institutions, including SXSW, Cannes Lions and the Smithsonian. Pailoor directed and co-wrote the acclaimed independent feature film “Brahmin Bulls” which The New York Times praised as a “warm debut”. He has also directed multiple episodes of marquee shows like NBC’s “The Blacklist” and CBS’s “S.W.A.T.” showcasing his versatility across genres. Mahesh is an alumnus of the NBC Emerging Director Program, Disney’s TV Directing Program, Berlinale Talent Campus, and Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab and Project:Involve. He is a graduate of NYU Tisch and earned an MFA in directing from the American Film Institute. Pailoor’s latest feature “Paper Flowers” is based on the viral Huffington Post article, “Thank You, Cancer” and captures an Indian American’s poetic meditation on mortality after a terminal cancer diagnosis, further representing an evolving diaspora experience.
Director's Note
Gratitude. That’s the one word that this film has taught me. I didn’t know Shalin Shah or his story when he passed away in 2015. It wasn’t until a few years later when Asit Vyas (producer) approached me to direct the film, that I first read Shalin’s op ed in the Huffington Post, “Thank You, Cancer.” What struck me, was Shalin’s humility and perspective in the face of mortality. We’re all going to die. That’s a given. But how we spend those days, who we spend those days with, and how we appreciate it all — that’s the real gift of life. That was the gift Shalin gave to me, from a 22 year old, wise beyond his years.
The challenge in making this film was how to convey those lofty ideas without becoming sanctimonious and overly sentimental. To that end, we worked hard on grounding the film and telling both Shalin’s spiritual journey as well as the journey his closest loved ones went on, inspired by him. As much as this is Shalin’s story, it is also an ensemble piece with an incredible cast lead by Kapil Talwalkar and Olivia Liang. Along with the cast, we had an equally incredible and passionate crew who dedicated their time and talent to the making of this film.
I am so grateful for everyone who has come on this journey with us and I’m excited to share the film with audiences, helping to spread Shalin’s message of gratitude even further.
🏆 Awards & Honors:
Social Impact & Vision — Ojai Film Festival
Best of Fest — Palm Springs International Film Festival
Best Film — Chandler Film Festival
Independent Spirit — Sedona International Film Festival
Best Actor — SAIFF, Tampa
Best Film — Rung Film Festival, Houston
Audience Award — San Luis Obispo Film Festival
About The Desai Foundation:
The Desai Foundation’s mission is to empower women and children through community programs to elevate health, livelihood, and menstrual equity in rural India.
Working across eight states and nearly 4,000 rural villages, the Desai Foundation partners with local women and grassroots organizations to deliver 30+ community-based programs. Through initiatives that expand access to healthcare and menstrual equity, create livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunities, and support children’s education and well-being, the foundation focuses on building dignity, resilience, and long-term self-reliance
About the host, Empact.fyi
You just watched a powerful film. You're moved, inspired, and ready to act, but what's next? Empact fills that gap. We partner with filmmakers to create action campaigns that make it easy for you to donate, volunteer, or support the causes behind the stories you love—and we track the impact to prove that films can drive real-world change.
For mission-driven filmmakers and artists who need distribution and revenue, Empact provides the first AI-powered distribution infrastructure that helps films get seen and monetize their social impact through screenings, audience activation, and funder connections.
Check out more of their impact story here