Local filmmaker Sanadtkumar clinches Canadian award
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian filmmaker Sanadtkumar Ganesan has achieved a new milestone by winning Best International Short at the TFS FEST 2025 Pinnacle Awards Gala in Toronto, Canada.
Sanadtkumar's short film 'Late Night Mini-Mart' was selected from a pool of international entries and recognised for its outstanding storytelling, direction, editing, and overall production quality.
The award category, which covers both scripted and documentary films, honours the best work produced by international students enrolled in Toronto Film School.
In a statement yesterday, international youth organisation Ascendance said 'Late Night Mini-Mart' stood out not only for its technical merit but for its heartfelt message about pushing beyond limitations.
The film explores how individuals are often defined by what holds them back – whether internal fears or external pressures – and invites viewers to question those boundaries.
Sanadtkumar, a co-founder of Ascendance, dedicated the award to his family, team and mentors at Toronto Film School.
'This film came from the idea that we are so much more than the things that stop us – our limiting beliefs, our comfort zones. I wanted this film to remind people: you are so much more than what you think you are,' the 25-year-old said.
Sanadtkumar's award-winning documentary series 'Wanted: Shades of Life' featured local chess master Genkeswaran Muniyan.
'Thank you to all the instructors who were part of my journey … and to my parents back home in Malaysia. Let's continue to live and breathe movies.'
TFS FEST is regarded as one of Canada's most respected platforms for emerging filmmakers. The Pinnacle Awards, judged by a panel of industry professionals, represent the festival's highest honour and celebrate bold, original voices in cinema.
Sanadtkumar's acclaimed documentary series 'Wanted: Shades of Life', which celebrates inspiring Malaysians such as local chess master Genkeswaran Muniyan, has received international prizes including Best Inspirational Film at the Los Angeles Film Awards.
The young writer and director has also received multiple accolades including the Diana Award for Social Change (2019), and a spot in last year's Prestige 40 Under 40 list.
Watch 'Late Night Mini-Mart' below:
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