Mongrel Media’s Hussain Amarshi is to be a guest of honour at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival.

As the indie distributor he founded celebrates its 20th anniversary, Amarshi will host an intimate VIP reception in his honour, participate in an informal conversation as part of the VIFF industry conference and meet festival delegates one-on-one as part of the Telefilm Canada tete-a-tete meetings to encourage coproductions and international film sales.

In addition, 16 Mongrel Media titles will screen at VIFF, including Foxcatcher, Preggoland and Whiplash as the closing night gala.

VIFF executive director Jacqueline Dupuis told Playback Daily the festival will spotlight how Amarshi has grown Mongrel to become a major player in an increasingly competitive film distribution sector.

“He [Amarshi] has a special way and important way of mixing business acumen with great taste and conviction,” she said.

For his part, Amarshi said Mongrel and VIFF had long been partners in uncovering cinematic gems for festival and commercial audiences.

“VIFF has been a great partner for our films for many years and we premiere most of our highly anticipated films at VIFF,” he noted.

The 33rd edition of the Vancouver Film Festival is set to run from Sept. 25 to Oct. 10.