The two prominent South Asian Canadian arts personalities will share the stage to discuss Mehta’s latest documentary film that follows a transwoman’s dual life in India

TORONTO, Dec. 5, 2023 – 91ÑÇɫ’s Writer-in-Residence program presents this year’s final event, I Am Sirat + a Conversation with Deepa Mehta and Shyam Selvadurai, at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre, starting with a reception at 6:30pm, Thursday, Dec. 7.

Open to the public, the event will include the screening of Mehta’s acclaimed I Am Sirat – a documentary that follows Sirat Taneja, a transwoman in India as she navigates living a dual life. A Q&A session will follow the screening. 

This year’s writer-in-resident, Sri Lankan-born Canadian author Selvadurai and Indo-Canadian filmmaker are expected to offer an interesting discussion about the documentary film that made headlines in Canada with screening at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. The documentary was also well-received at other festivals around the world.

In 2020, Mehta collaborated with Selvadurai, adapting his best-selling book Funny Boy into a feature film. The duo won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. 

Oscar-nominated Mehta, who holds an honorary degree from 91ÑÇÉ« is widely recognized for her daring films that push industry and cultural boundaries. She has directed and produced several television series, critically acclaimed documentaries and feature films like her celebrated Elements trilogy: Fire, Earth, and Water 2005. In 2012, she received Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement.

Selvadurai is the author of , ,  and . His work has won the WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Lambda Literary Award and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award and has been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award. He is also the editor of Story-Wallah: A Celebration of South Asian Fiction and a comprehensive anthology of Sri Lankan literature called Many Roads Through Paradise.

The Writer-in-Residence program is run annually by the Department of English in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies to supplement existing creative writing courses by providing students with access to a professional writer for feedback and support. Additionally, the program engages the broader community through public-facing events including readings, workshops and classroom visits.

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91ÑÇɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91ÑÇÉ«'s fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91ÑÇɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:
Gloria Suhasini, 91ÑÇÉ« Media Relations, 647-463-4354, suhasini@yorku.ca

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TORONTO, June 18, 2018 ─ Filmmaker Deepa Mehta received an honorary doctor of letters today from 91ÑÇÉ« during Spring Convocation in recognition of her accomplishments as a director and screenwriter dedicated to battling cultural intolerance.

A legend in the Canadian and international film industries, Mehta was born in Amritsar, Punjab (India) in 1950. She graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Delhi before joining a production company, making educational films and documentaries for the Indian Government. Soon after, she began producing her own documentaries before moving to Canada. Since then, she has created numerous television series, and directed and produced many critically-acclaimed documentaries and feature films.

Much of Mehta’s career has reflected the duality of her cultural identity, as well as her tendency to cast light on more proscribed or taboo topics. This is noted in her celebrated Elements Trilogy: Fire (1996); Earth (1998); and Water (2005). While these films elevated her reputation and status, they also brought criticism and protest from certain groups.

Mehta’s works have been showcased at the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. She has received both Genie Awards and an Oscar nomination. In 2012, she received Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. She was made a Member of the Order of Ontario in 2013 and was also appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. She has received 16 honorary degrees.

An artistic leader, Deepa Mehta’s accomplishments inspire filmmakers to push the boundaries.

91ÑÇÉ« champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. 91ÑÇÉ« students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. 91ÑÇÉ« U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, 91ÑÇÉ« is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. 91ÑÇÉ« U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact: Janice Walls, Media Relations, 91ÑÇÉ«, 416 455 4710, wallsj@yorku.ca

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