TORONTO, ON — Emerging filmmaker Eemaan Qadri will present a special triple-feature screening of her short films Marwa and the Moon, If You Can Catch Me, and Hania’s Home, showcasing stories centered on the experiences of South Asian women and families across generations.
A recent graduate of the University of Southern California’s Master’s program in Film & Television Production, Qadri brings a deeply personal and culturally rich perspective to her work. Through stories of immigration, family, grief, and resilience, her films explore universal human experiences through the lens of South Asian communities.
The special screening will feature two brand-new films, If You Can Catch Me and Hania’s Home, alongside Qadri’s acclaimed short film Marwa and the Moon.
The program opens with Marwa and the Moon (5 min), written and directed by Eemaan Qadri. After discovering that her Grade 5 math test falls on the same day as Eid al-Fitr, young Marwa must decide whether to take the test or spend the holiday celebrating with her family. The film offers a heartfelt look at faith, family, and the challenges of growing up between cultures.
Next is If You Can Catch Me (12 min), directed by Eemaan Qadri. College senior Cadence struggles to navigate the aftermath of her boyfriend Luc’s death. As she grapples with overwhelming guilt, panic attacks, and fragmented memories, therapy helps her revisit defining moments of their relationship and confront the belief that she could have prevented his death. Through a moving journey of loss and healing, Cadence learns to find hope beneath the same stars that once connected them.
The screening concludes with Hania’s Home (16 min), written and directed by Eemaan Qadri. Hania, a young Pakistani woman, immigrates to the United States with her husband and daughter. Facing language barriers, culture shock, and separation from her family, she struggles to create a sense of home in a place where she often feels unseen. The film is a poignant portrait of immigration, motherhood, and the universal desire to belong.
“These films are deeply personal stories about identity, family, and finding your place in the world,” says Qadri. “As a South Asian filmmaker, I wanted to create characters and experiences that feel authentic while also speaking to emotions that audiences from all backgrounds can connect with.”
Together, the three films represent a new chapter in Qadri’s filmmaking career and highlight emerging voices and perspectives within contemporary independent cinema.
Eemaan Qadri is a Toronto-based filmmaker and recent graduate of the University of Southern California’s Master’s Program in Film & Television Production. She previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media Production from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work focuses on character-driven stories that explore identity, culture, family, and belonging through underrepresented perspectives.
