Language: English
Production Company: Urban Pilgrim Creators
Produced with the support of IFFSA Talent Fund 2023/24
THE HEART SMILES is a romantic comedy about grandparents acting like teenagers who embark
on an impromptu journey of self-discovery, love and companionship.
Get ready for a heartwarming tale as two old college flames, Maha and Hardeep, now grandparents, reunite thanks to the meddling of mischievous Puck, Maha’s granddaughter.
Their rekindled romance leads them to impulsively run away together, their impromptu getaway quickly proving more chaotic than romantic as they encounter yodeling ukulele players, eccentric hitchhikers, and camping in the middle of nowhere. The getaway pops the bubble of their infatuation.
The Heart Smiles is a delightful exploration of what happens when grandparents act like teenagers, reminding us of the importance of lasting relationships in an age that often undervalues them.
The Heart Smiles is a delightful exploration of what happens when grandparents act like teenagers, reminding us of the importance of lasting relationships in an age that often undervalues them.
Format: 4K DCI, 2024,25 min, CA
World Premiere at IFFSA Toronto 2024: was on Cineplex Cinemas Courtney Park, 110 Courtneypark Dr E, Mississauga
International Awards
Honorable Mentions
Nominees
Official Selections
Winner:
Best Senior Film | Cannes World Film Festival, France, August 30, 2025
Best Short Movie | Rieti e Sabina Film Festival, Italy, November 25, 2025
Best Romantic Comedy Short | Touchstone IFF, USA, September 7, 2025
IFFSA Talent Fund | Canada, 2023/24
Best Comedy Short Film | Portugal Indie Film Festival | Portugal, June 26, 2025/January 5, 2026
Best Dramatic Film | CinemaBriz Film Festival | Spain, June 22, 2025
Best Short Film | Dream Catchers Film Festival, USA, November 27, 2025
HONORABLE MENTION:
Best Romance | Monza Film Fest | Italy, June 30, 2025
Best Short Film | 38 Girona Film Festival | Spain, November 4, 2025
Nominee
Best Original Idea in a Film | MLC Awards of Green Bay | USA, August 30, 2025
Quarter-Finalist | ’25 GIFF | Genesis International Film Festival | Russia, October 18, 2025
Official Selections
South Asian International Film Festival Florida (SAIFFF) | USA, February 20, 2026
Kuala Lumpur International Film Awards | Malaysia, January 17, 2026
San Lorenzo Film Festival, Paraguay, December 11-13, 2025
10th FECIS – Salto Independent Film Festival | Uruguay, October 12-16, 2025
The Lake Effect Film Festival | USA, September 11, 2025
Arlington International Film Festival | USA, October 23, 2025
International Road Movie Festival | Czechia, October 16, 2025
Malter Vándor Filmfesztivál | Hungary, October 16, 2025
OC Film Fiesta | USA, October 9, 2025
Anatolia International Film Festival | Turkey, August 8, 2025
CIFA – Concepcion Independent Film Awards | Chile, August 2-5, 2025
Cobb International Film Festival | USA, July 31, 2025
Santa Paula Film Festival | USA, July 25, 2025
World Premiere at IFFSA Toronto 2024:
Cineplex Cinemas Courtney Park, 110 Courtneypark Dr E, Mississauga
Starring
Feryal Khan as Maha
Navdeep Bobby Jhajj as Hardeep
Maya Sophia Henderson as Puck
Jordana Strigberger as Sarah
Avtar Kamboj as Rakesh
Ashfaq Abbasi as Jacob
Hannah Brennen as Artist
Moosa Kamran as Farm Boy
Zainab’s Echo as Goth Girl
Alina Malik as Backpacker
Rigel Ali Abbasi, Zayaan Mahmud and Zeenia Mahmud as Children
Juliette as … Horse
Crew
Producer: Ashfaq Abbasi
Director: Aftab Abbasi
Writer: Sobia Younus, Aftab Abbasi
Script Supervisor: Raven Kuhn
Assistant Director: Anna Abbasi
Production Manager: Sobia Younus
Cinematographer: Dante Nardulli
1st AC: Aviel David Kurkular
2nd AC: Hussain Alokaily
Sound Recordist: Leo Wei
Editor: Anna Abbasi
Special Thanks to
Nichelina Arti Aurangabadkar, Kamran Fazal, Tooba Mohtsham, Faryal Anwar, Saniya Sohail, Teri Loretto, Kendra
Location: Gallery Stratford & Region of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
