Canada Film Day x Diaspora Film Festival

🎬 Celebrate Canada Film Day with Diaspora Film Festival

Join Diaspora Film Festival for a special screening in celebration of Canada Film Day, a nationwide initiative honoring Canadian cinema and the voices that shape it.

Co-Presenters
This screening is presented in collaboration with Beirut Film Society – Canada, as part of Lebanon Cinema Days and Syria Film Festival Toronto.

We are proud to present Valley of Exile, a compelling and intimate drama directed by Anna Fahr. The film follows two sisters who, after fleeing war-torn Syria, navigate life in exile in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley — a story of survival, loyalty, and the enduring search for home. Valley of Exile has screened internationally and received multiple awards, including Best Narrative Feature at Cinequest and Emerging Canadian Director at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Valley of Exile has received international recognition on the festival circuit, earning multiple awards including Best Narrative Feature at Cinequest and Emerging Canadian Director at the Vancouver International Film Festival, establishing it as a standout work in contemporary Canadian independent cinema.

 Anna Fahr is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Morning Bird Pictures, known for her socially engaged storytelling that focuses on the contemporary Middle East and its diaspora. Her work spans narrative features, documentaries, and interactive media, and has been showcased at major international festivals and industry labs including TIFF Talent Lab, Tribeca All Access, and the CFC Writers Lab. Her films are recognized for their emotional depth, cultural perspective, and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.

This event offers a meaningful opportunity to experience compelling cinema while connecting with fellow film lovers, creatives, and members of the community.

Whether you’re a passionate cinephile or simply looking for a meaningful night out, this event offers a unique chance to celebrate film, culture, and community together.

📍 Event Details

🗓 Date: April 15, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Imagine Cinemas Carlton
20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5

🎟 Free admission — advance reservation required
⚠️ Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend arriving early.

Short Trailer

More Details:

About the Film — Valley of Exile

Valley of Exile is a powerful Canadian-Lebanese drama directed by award-winning filmmaker Anna Fahr. The film tells the story of two sisters, Rima and Nour, who flee war-torn Damascus and seek refuge in a makeshift settlement in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. As they navigate the challenges of life in exile — from Rima’s efforts to rebuild a future for her unborn child to Nour’s risky search for their missing brother — the film becomes a deeply human exploration of survival, loyalty, family bonds, and the enduring search for home. Valley of Exile is presented in Arabic with English subtitles and has been widely recognized on the international festival circuit for its emotional depth and compelling storytelling.

Trailer