TALENT SPOTLIGHT: ABUBAKAR KHAN

2021 Film Program Alumnus, Producers’ Lab

Abubakar never envisioned a life in the film industry. It wasn’t until he lost a campaign to become a Vancouver City councillor in 2018 that he decided to give filmmaking a shot, driven by a lifelong passion for human connection and listening to people’s stories.

“How I got started was with a great group of filmmakers that I went to India with to find my ancestral village and work on a documentary series about the last time Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus were united. So my filmmaking journey began with this trip venturing into my past and the history of my people; it has been a beautiful journey ever since.”

Since then, Abubakar has produced shorts such as The Lost Empire (dir. Gary Chutai), and Pehla Qadam (dir. Danish Renzu), and founded a production company based in Vancouver called Diaspora Creative that focuses on sharing stories that have been ignored in the past.

“I am working to continue to heal the narrative. I have a small but focused slate of projects I am very excited about completing. I have also begun positions at Lark Productions Inc. as a Business Affairs Associate to learn from a great team with a strong track record. Ultimately, what's next for me is to continue to learn and develop the producing skills that I sharpened at the CFC and continue to invest in my creative relationships, and uncover the stories that are meant for me to bring to life and share with the hearts and eyes around the world.”