Indo-Canadian filmmaker Ali Kazimi has been named the recipient of the 2025 Fire Horse Award, which will be given out at this year’s fourth annual Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

The award honours an Asian Canadian individual who has made significant contributions to the film and media arts community. The awards ceremony, hosted by CP24 Breakfast co-anchor Jennifer Hsiung, will take place on May 26 at the Shangri-La Hotel Toronto.

Toronto-based Kazimi (pictured) was selected for the award by a jury composed of artist, composer, and previous Fire Horse winner Paul Wong; consultant and executive producer Lalita Krishna; and filmmaker Albert Shin. His nomination was submitted by writer and curator Kerri Sakamoto and Karen Tisch, executive director of Toronto’s Why Not Theatre.

Kazimi, who is also a professor of cinema and media arts at York University, will receive a $25,000 cash prize, supported by contributions from actor Sandra Oh, Ha-kyung Helen Song, and Pan Asia Food Co.

“Ali’s extensive body of work delves into themes of race, history, migration and memory. His films offer a unique perspective on the past, providing fresh lenses through which we can view history,” said the jury in a statement. “The unique relationships Ali has built with his subjects and communities over extended and ongoing periods of time and space are evident in his exceptional storytelling.”

Some of Kazimi’s documentaries include 1997’s Shooting Indians: A Journey with Jeffrey Thomas, 2004’s Continuous Journey and 2022’s Beyond Extinction: Sinixt Resurgence.

He received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Creative Arts in 2019 and he was previously recognized by the Reel Asian festival with the Canadian Spotlight Artist distinction in 2021.

“This recognition is not only a celebration of my journey, but of the many communities, collaborators, students, and storytellers who have shared their truths and trusted me with their voices,” said Kazimi. “I have always believed that film is not merely about telling stories—it is about listening, witnessing and amplifying those whose histories have been overlooked, erased or misunderstood. My hope is that this award serves as a reminder that the stories we tell—and how we tell them—matter.”

Photo by Mike Tijoe