Come for a short doc screening and discussion on the connection between communities of kindness incubating innovation and entrepreneurship through the story of Aatif Baskanderi. After the 20-minute film, join Aatif in a fireside chat with fellow Newfoundlander and COO of TEC Edmonton, Bobbi Elliott, and pitch your own questions.
Aatif grew up in a place where not many people looked like him or believed in the same things that he did. As a Muslim child of Pakistani immigrants, Newfoundland became home. His experiences growing up on “the rock” was like something out of a storybook. On this cold, isolated island in the Atlantic ocean, Aatif learned sincerity and appreciation for others that would set him up for remarkable success in life.
As an engineer with a keen interest for social justice, he embarked on a journey to connect the two. Guided by his Muslim & Newfoundlander values, this led him to studying at the London School of Economics, researching Fair Trade farmers in Palestine, working on malaria prevention in Sierra Leone, informing science policy in Canada, the UK & Europe, leading Engineers Without Borders across Canada, leading innovation at multi-national companies and now serving the Edmonton entrepreneur community as the Director of Startup Edmonton.
Salaam B’y had 50+ screenings in 30+ cities globally, official selection at 19 film festivals, nominated for 10 awards, won 5 awards, including Best Documentary at Canadian Diversity Film Festival and one of two Muslim-Canadian films selected for United Nations Global Migration Film Festival. Through this work, Aatif received the Points of Light Award from HM Queen Elizabeth II. Salaam B’y also won the Inspirit Foundation grant for 2019 Creating Communities of Kindness Tour across Canada. The Educator’s Companion Guide and film has been adopted by 200+ teachers across Canada, including partnerships with Toronto District School Board and Newfoundland & Labrador English School District. The film was initially made through crowdfunding $15,000 from 230 donors from 19 countries, as well as a radio documentary that aired nationally on CBC The Sunday Edition.
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