Film Production Grad Kalpit Patel Selected for Reelworld’s Prestigious Emerging 20 Program
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Toronto Film School alum Kalpit Patel has been named one of Reelworld Screen Institute’s Emerging 20 this year– a milestone that places the 2023 Film Production grad among Canada’s rising screenwriting talents.
Selected for the film stream of the coveted development program, Patel is currently deep in the creative process of writing his debut feature film Butterfly on High Hills – a romantic historical drama set in a fictionalized version of post-colonial 1800s India.
He credits the six-month Emerging 20 program, which has run remotely since February, for helping him refine his script through mentorship, story editing, and industry insights – all of which will culminate in a series of one-on-one pitch meetings with key industry stakeholders later this year.
“The Emerging 20 program has pushed me beyond just writing a script – it’s challenged me to step into my voice as a filmmaker. The mentorship and peer exchange have been invaluable,” he said.
“Being selected for E20 during its 25th anniversary feels like an anchor in my artistic journey. It’s not just skill-building; it’s community-building – and that’s what’s helping me grow.
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Reclaiming Erased Histories Through Cinema
Butterfly on High Hills tells the story of a forbidden relationship between a young Indian prince and his British fencing instructor.
While fictional, the story is deeply rooted in historical truths – including the devastating impact of colonial-era laws like Section 377, which criminalized same-sex relationships, and the cultural erasure of the Hijra community, South Asia’s gender-diverse population, which includes intersex and transgender individuals.
“The film asks: What survives when history tries to silence you?” Patel explained. “It’s about more than love – it’s about memory, recognition, and what it means to reclaim the stories never meant to be remembered.”
This kind of cultural excavation and reclamation is a hallmark of Patel’s work, which spans narrative film, visual art, and mentorship.
His earlier short film A – a meditation on identity and mental health – was showcased at the TFS Cinema installation during the 2024 TIFF Festival Street Art Market and screened at international festivals including KASHISH Pride Film Festival, South Asia’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ film festival, and premiered in the U.S. at the Arizona Film Festival.
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Multidisciplinary Artist
Patel considers himself a multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of narrative cinema and visual art. His work, he explains, delves into the emotional layers of cultural memory, untold histories, and identity – with a focus on underrepresented histories and lived experiences.
“At the heart of my practice is a desire to make the invisible visible. I shape personal and collective histories into immersive experiences – ones that invite reflection, recognition, and connection,” he said.
Patel’s visual artwork draws on traditional South Asian artforms such as Rangoli – intricate floor patterns made with colored powders – and Mandala patterns.
“I use them not just for their beauty, but as emotional and spatial storytelling structures,” he said. “These traditions gave me a language when I didn’t yet have one.”
His installation Mindfulness of Mandala was featured at the 15th DesignTO Festival in Toronto, Canada’s largest annual design festival.
Currently serving as a Senior Supervising Producer at Toronto Film School, Patel also mentors emerging filmmakers through the development and production of thesis films – a role that reflects his dedication to both creation and community.
“Growing up, I was surrounded by stories that lived in gestures more than words,” he said. “Today, I create the kind of cultural space I once longed for: emotionally safe, narratively bold, and deeply resonant.”
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Looking Ahead
With Butterfly on High Hills in active development, Patel’s focus now is on finalizing a market-ready script and building a creative practice that bridges tradition with innovation.
“I’m interested in exploring diasporic narratives that feel lived, layered, and culturally resonant,” he said. “This debut feature marks a pivotal moment – not just in my career, but in how I hope to shape cinema as a space for empathy, resistance, and remembrance.”
As a storyteller shaped by silence, Patel is using his platform – and his pen – to ensure those stories are finally heard.
Learn more about Patel’s work on his website, Instagram and IMDb.
