The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival is hosting an exclusive screening of select LATE BLOOMER episodes (10 a.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the TIFF Lightbox) as part of its Reel Ideas series at this year’s festival. The screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion with the creative team about how the series has landed in the community and how it will continue to shape conversations in real life.

Samir Ballou, Reel Asian’s Industry and Education programmer and panel moderator, chatted with us ahead of the event to talk about why the festival chose to screen LATE BLOOMER episodes this year, the decision to host a panel discussion with cast and crew, the importance of South Asian representation, and more…

Why is Reel Asian excited to showcase these curated episodes (Nudes (S1E1); The Turban (S1E4)) of the groundbreaking series LATE BLOOMER at this year’s festival?

Samir Ballou (SB): Reel Asian is thrilled to showcase LATE BLOOMER because it captured the attention of our staff from the very beginning. It’s exciting to see a familiar and beloved Internet creator make their television debut. After watching the show, it became evident [series creator] Jasmeet Raina has reintroduced his story and his commitment to self-expression. His personal narrative addresses themes of familial expectations while also sharing the unique challenges faced by other characters—whether related to cultural understanding, understanding your place in the world and within your own community, messy relationship issues, or even celebrating a new truck. This series adds depth and richness to the South Asian experience.

We’re showcasing the pilot episode (“Nudes”) because it exemplifies a fantastic introduction to the series. It effectively immerses the audience in the characters’ lives, revealing their personal struggles while connecting to larger narratives that resonate particularly with South Asian audiences. “The Turban” explores a philosophical question Jasmeet grapples with: the personal significance of wearing a turban. Members of our community grapple with this question or questions of this nature all the time – and to explore it in such a unique, personal, and contemporary way is meaningful.

South Asian content has long been both under-represented and essentially lacking in mainstream media. Through a series such as this, how do think South Asian communities, specifically the Sikh community, will shift narratives within the broader screen-based industry?

SB: This series demonstrates that Sikh and South Asian stories can resonate deeply within their own communities while also appealing to a broader audience. It speaks to viewers who crave comedy and are interested in the complexities of the human experience. LATE BLOOMER illustrates it is possible to remain true to oneself and one’s community while addressing the unique challenges and dynamics of family and personal issues. This approach not only results in a series that is popular and entertaining, but also groundbreaking and relevant.

LATE BLOOMER shows you don’t need to water yourself down or change who you are in order to connect with a larger audience. It successfully tells an entertaining, deeply dramatic and hilarious story that reflects the richness of South Asian experiences.

Following the screening of the LATE BLOOMER episodes, there will be a panel discussion with ACTRA Toronto member Ashley Ganger (“Maanvi”), Gayle Ye (Director of Photography), Lakna Edirisinghe (writer), moderated by Samir Ballou. Why is it important to Reel Asian to hold a discussion with cast and crew to talk about how the series will continue to shape conversations about family expectations, intergenerational relationships and racial identity in real life?

SB: It’s important for Reel Asian to host this discussion because the cast and crew have a unique perspective on the material, having experienced it through their own lenses. We’re eager to hear what attracted them to this series, how they identify with its themes, and their hopes for shaping conversations around family expectations, intergenerational relationships, and racial identity. We want to explore how the series has impacted them personally and how they plan to carry those learnings forward in their careers and lives.

Why was it important to Reel Asian to bring ACTRA Toronto on board as a Community Supporter for this special event?

SB: ACTRA Toronto has been a vital champion and supporter of LATE BLOOMER, playing a crucial role in the casting process that helped tell an authentic version of this story. Given the lack of robust South Asian representation in mainstream film and TV, casting for these roles can be particularly challenging. Partnering with ACTRA Toronto underscores our commitment to showcasing diverse narratives and highlights a future we are actively working toward—one that prioritizes authentic representation in our industry and works to remove the barriers that make this challenging.

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Unable to make it to this year’s Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival but still want to watch LATE BLOOMER? Watch the full series on Crave!

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ACTRA Toronto is a proud supporter of the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

LATE BLOOMER photos courtesy of CRAVE.