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.

Desi returns to New York

New York's Asian American International Film Festival has invited I Want To Be A Desi to screen at its festival in Manhattan during August 10-20. In July 2009, the AAIFF premiered the pre-sequel, I Want To Be A Desi 2, to wide acclaim.

Needless to say director Allan Tong is thrilled that Desi is playing in New York, the greatest city on Earth, at a renown festival. Allan and co-producer and star, Dinesh Sachdev, attended the 2009 screening. No word yet, however, on whether either can attend the screening in August, given work commitments.

The AAIFF will release a full schedule and ticketing details soon. Stay tuned for updates.

Meanwhile, The Mississauga Independent Film Festival (MIFF), will screen Desi sometime between July 20-24 in western Toronto. Details coming soon.

Meet the crew of I Want To Be A Desi

Making any film is a team effort, and Desi was definitely a collaborative effort. The two-day shoot at a high school in North York was intense, but full of laughs and camaraderie. Here are some of the talented people who helped make Desi. All photos by producer Danijel Margetic and property of Balkan Films:

Director of Photography DANIEL GRANT pondering the next set-up

Production manager PETER MABRUCCO pondering the next meal break for the cast and crew

DP DANIEL GRANT (left) ponders the day's schedule with First Assistant Director CHARLES SMITH (right)

First Assistant Camera BRAW DWORKIN ponders what DP DANIEL GRANT (back to us) says

Production Designer ROSE LEGACE builds a set while others ponder

Desi premieres in Toronto this summer

I Want To Be A Desi has been chosen as an official selection in the Short Film Program for The 2011 Mississauga Independent Film Festival, July 20-24. Screening details to come at: http://miff.ca

I Want To Be A Desi...In Short on May 11

I Want To Be A Desi will have its Canadian broadcast premiere on Bravo!FACT's new show, In Short, at 10:00 pm ET/7:00 pm PT, Wednesday May 11, 2011 on Bravo! Since Desi is presently touring the North American festival circuit, only an excerpt will be aired.

The theme of the May 11 episode is Envy and Kindness. Launching at the beginning of May 2011, In Short is the only Canadian TV destination in an easily accessible time slot dedicated to short films. Eight new one-hour specials featuring Canadian short films will air over eight consecutive weeks. The shorts have all been produced with funds awarded by Bell Media's Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent).

Each episode is based on one of the seven deadly sins and their accompanying virtues: pride/humility, envy/kindness, lust/chastity, greed/charity, wrath/patience, sloth/diligence and gluttony/temperance. Renowned film critic Richard Crouse hosts all eight In Short episodes, serving as a guide for the viewer.