Film Screening: Saffron Kingdom by Arfat Sheikh
As a special event to wrap up this year, we will be privately screening and then discussing Saffron Kingdom (2024), an independent drama film directed by Arfat Sheikh.
The film follows Masrat, a Kashmiri woman who flees the valley with her son Rizwan after the abduction of her husband. The narrative traces their life in exile, the persistence of memory and intergenerational trauma, and their attempts to rebuild identity and belonging in a new country.
The film premiered on the festival 1h 24mcircuit in 2024, with screenings in international venues. It was selected for the Rome International Film Festival, ARRF Berlin, and Florida South Asia Film Festival.
Critics have appreciated Saffron Kingdom for its thematic ambition. The Independent described the film as “a haunting response to dominant narratives on Kashmir.”
TRT World called it “a reclamation of memory through visual storytelling.”
Kashmir Pen praised it, stating that “in Saffron Kingdom, Sheikh does what Bollywood has failed to do for decades - he gives the Kashmiri people their voice back."
Event Plan
Private Film Screening
estimate runtime: 1h 24mPanel discussion
Audience Questions
Event Details
$10
a portion of proceeds from this event will be donated to the maker of this film non-profit, Daffodil Studios, to fund future projects.
Please note:
- approval is required first to buy a ticket
- tickets will not be sold at the door, you must have a ticket prior to entering the theatre
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025 @ 6:30 PM
Downtown Toronto
Location - To be announced closer to date
Please note: while our discussions at this event will often center on themes relevant to the Kashmiri struggle and life experience, we warmly welcome individuals of all religions, sects, faiths, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and sexualities. Our goal is to create an inclusive and respectful space where everyone feels comfortable learning about and connecting over this important topic.