Today at General Committee, the City of Mississauga’s Culture Division presented a report entitled “2011 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards – Mississauga Buzz Events” outlining the City’s partnership with IIFA, and plans to participate in IIFA Buzz events in May and June.

“Mississauga was chosen as a Buzz location because of our diverse cultural roots,” said Susan Burt, City of Mississauga director, Culture Division. “We are known for taking pride in our diversity and celebrating our uniqueness and innovations through arts and culture. Partnering with IIFA allows us to put a spotlight on the talent we have right here in our own backyards and put that talent on stage for the world to see.”

The IIFA Weekend and awards are hosted annually in a different city throughout the world.  As a winning result of a bid proposal from the Province of Ontario the 12th annual IIFA weekend and awards will take place in Toronto and surrounding cities of the GTA. Mississauga is one of four official cities chosen by IIFA to host events for the IIFA Buzz program.  IIFA Buzz has been created to support the IIFA Weekend and add excitement and increased community participation.

IIFA is an organization dedicated to promoting Indian cinema to international audiences. Its annual awards event, dubbed as the ‘Oscars’ for the South Asian film industry and other events will be held in Toronto June 23 to 25 with recognized supporting events happening in select areas of the GTA including Mississauga.

With funding from the government of Ontario through the Celebrate Ontario grant, Mississauga will host several IIFA-themed activities throughout May and June with the majority of the events happening June 24 to 26.  City planned activities are free and many will take place in Mississauga’s new Celebration Square.

The final report will go before Council for approval on April 27th. Information on the Mississauga Buzz activities and itinerary of events can be found online at Mississauga IIFA Buzz.

About IIFA

The International Indian Film Academy, conceptualized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is supported by key members of the Indian film fraternity. IIFA is the most respected South Asian film academy and its main highlight, the IIFA Awards is one of India’s biggest media events. With a viewership of over 600 million worldwide, the IIFA Weekend is the largest celebration of Indian cinema and the IIFA Awards is among the most-watched global events, annually.

From a one night celebration in 2000 at the Millennium Dome, London, the last twelve years have seen the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) movement grow into a cine-packed weekend of film-festivals, workshops, exhibitions, film-showcases, premieres, global business forums and sporting events, all of which climax into the IIFA Awards. The IIFA’s have been celebrated in London, Sun City, Johannesburg, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam, Yorkshire, Bangkok, Macau and most recently in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This year, IIFA will celebrate its 12th anniversary in Toronto, Canada from June 23rd – 25th, 2011.

The IIFA Celebrations in Canada are presented by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and supported by the government of Ontario.

About Mississauga Celebration Square Properties

Mississauga’s Celebration Square in the heart of Downtown Mississauga offers one of the best condominiums; both townhouses and apartments (including lofts). With so many things happening, there is no doubt that Mississauga will become the No. 1 destination not only for affluent newcomers to Canada but also students (international and local at Sheridan College) and many tourists. This is the right time to own a property of one of the most sought after multi-cultural places in Canada. There are many resale and new builder condos to choose from.