"Newwww Yawk! Newwww Yawk!" croons Jazz Mann (Mr. Dasgupta) between takes

DESI returns to the Big Apple, August 12

Two years after its pre-sequel played there, I Want To Be A Desi returns to Chelsea in Manhattan as part of the Asian American International Film Festival. Desi screens as part of "A Day Less Ordinary" shorts program on Friday, August 12, 6:45 at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, right next to the revered Chelsea Hotel.

David Yee (Roger/Raj) takes a smoke break as he dreams of New York

"Great!" says co-writer Dinesh Sachdev who co-produced the documentary I Want To Be A Desi 2, which graced AAIFF screens in summer 2009. "Super!" adds laconic director and co-writer, Allan Tong. The duo just returned from the Mississauga Independent Film Festival with an Honourable Mention for Desi. They are excited about Desi's return to Manhattan, where the AAIFF has welcomed both hims.

Vadanya!

The three lovely brides who woo Raj/Roger so they can honeymoon in Manhattan.
From top: Rashmi Mistry, Tara Joshi & Lida Mankovski

At the MIFF red carpet

I Want To Be A Desi director and co-writer, Allan Tong, and co-writer Dinesh Sachdev chat with TTN-HD Reporter Katie Uhlmann on the red carpet at the gala reception for the Mississauga Independent Film Festival on July 20. The reception took place at the Art Gallery of Mississauga to kick off MIFF where Desi earned an Honourable Mention from the judges. Thanks to Joanne Uhlmann who shot and edited this clip.

Desi earns Honourable Mention at Mississauga Indie Fest

I Want To Be A Desi scored second place in the Short Film Competition at the Mississauga Independent Film Festival. Festival Director Matt Campagna personally congratulated director/writer Allan Tong and co-writer Dinesh Sachdev after last night's Awards Ceremony at the AMC Winston Churchill in Oakville.

So that's the second second-place finish for Desi, including The Grand River Film Festival (Kitchener-Waterloo, ON) last year.

Desi's next festival stop is the Asian-American International Film Festival in New York, NY, on Friday, August 12.

DESI director and writer attend MIFF opening gala

(L to R): "DESI" co-writer Dinesh Sachdev, director Allan Tong & TTN-HD's Katie Uhlmann
@ Mississauga Indie Film Fest opening gala (July 20). (Photo by Joanne Uhlmann)

(L to R): "DESI" co-writer Dinesh Sachdev, director Allan Tong & TTN-HD's Katie Uhlmann @ Mississauga Indie Film Fest opening gala (July 20): Photo by Joanne Katie Uhlmann

The Desi gang hit the Mississauga Independent Film Festival's gala party at the resplendent Art Gallery of Mississauga. Co-writer Dinesh Sachdev and co-writer/director Allan Tong were interviewed on the red carpet by the lovely Katie Uhlmann of TTN-HD (and photographed by the equally lovely Joanne Uhlmann).

Tong and Sachdev were pleased to meet the festival organizers and fellow filmmakers such as producer Ryan Reaney.

Remember: I Want To Be A Desi screens at MIFF this Saturday at noon.

MIFF opens tonight, Desi on Saturday

Mr. Dasgupta (Jazz Mann) is dressed up for tonight's MIFF gala

The Mississauga Independent Film Fest opens tonight at 7:00pm with a formal gala at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. The festival which runs until July 24, 2011, will screen I Want To Be A Desi at noon on Saturday, July 23 at the AMC Winston Churchill 24 (2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville). Tickets are $8. Click here for the full MIFF schedule. Following this screening, Desi returns to American screens. Stay tuned, yaar.

DESI is MIFF'd on July 23

Roger/Raj (David Yee) tries to be a "desi" in Mississauga

Next stop on the festival tour for I Want To Be A Desi is just west of Toronto, at the Mississauga Independent Film Fest.

The comedy appears as part of the Short Program A starting at noon on Saturday, July 23 at the AMC Winston Churchill 24 (2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville). Tickets are $8. Click here for the full MIFF schedule.

Following this screening, Desi returns to American screens. Stay tuned, yaar.