Shake-Up in Giller Prize Panel: Two Jurors Exit Ahead of Major Sponsorship Change

Toronto, Canada – Innovations and changes are afoot in Canada’s literary landscape as the Giller Prize, one of the nation’s most prestigious literary awards, faces significant shifts. This year, the prize has seen the unexpected withdrawal of two jurors just weeks ahead of the announcement that Scotiabank, the longtime sponsor, would end its partnership following this year’s award ceremony. The Giller Prize, established in 1994 by businessman Jack Rabinovitch in memory of his late wife, literary journalist Doris Giller, has long been a celebrated cornerstone of Canadian literature. Awarded annually, the prize honors the best … Read more

“The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing” Clinches Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2025 for Profound Colonial Reflection

Park City, Utah – At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, a poignant short film exploring the impact of colonialism through a unique lens claimed the grand jury prize. Titled “The Flowers Stand Silently, Witnessing,” the film is the work of Theo Panagopoulos, a filmmaker of Greek-Lebanese-Palestinian origin based in Scotland. Panagopoulos crafted this work using archival material that depicted Palestinian wildflowers, weaving a narrative that intertwines nature, history, and personal identity. Director Theo Panagopoulos, also a Ph.D. researcher, employed Scottish archival footages to offer a reflective look at the colonization effects in “The Flowers Stand … Read more

Sundance 2025 Closes with a Flourish: ‘Cactus Pears’ Wins Grand Jury Prize Among Notable Global Honorees

Park City, Utah – The Sundance Film Festival, which took place from January 23 to February 2, 2025, has once again highlighted a diverse and vibrant array of cinematic talent from around the globe. This year’s festival ended with a grand awards ceremony at The Ray Theatre, where filmmakers from every corner of the world gathered to celebrate the art of cinema. Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s “Cactus Pears” won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film, a collaborative venture between India, the UK, and Canada, tells the tale of Anand, who, … Read more

Marathi Queer Drama ‘Sabar Bonda’ Shines at Sundance, Clinching the Grand Jury Prize

Pune, India – The Marathi film “Sabar Bonda” (Cactus Pears), directed by Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, clinched the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema: Dramatic category at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. The film stood out as the singular Indian entry competing, highlighting a significant achievement for the nation’s cinematic presence on the global stage. “Sabar Bonda” delves into the complexities of queer relationships set against the rustic backdrop of a Maharashtrian village. The narrative follows Anand, a man in his thirties, who revisits his ancestral village to fulfill mourning rituals for his deceased father. … Read more