Today’s bonus episode features audio from YVR Screen Scene For India, a star-studded fundraiser for Indian COVID relief that was broadcast live on May 8, 2021. The event – which was akin to Inside the Actors Studio but with a South Asian Canadian twist – featured Sabrina Rani Furminger in conversation with some of Vancouver’s finest South Asian Canadian actors, including Agam Darshi, Dhirendra, Praneet Akilla, Rekha Sharma, Sachin Sahel, and Sandy Sidhu. YVR Screen Scene For India raised more than $8400 for three charities providing disaster relief in India: Goonj, Doctors Without Borders, and Khalsa Aid International.

While YVR Screen Scene For India is behind us, India still needs our help. According to the BBC, daily new cases in India have fallen to just over 40,000 in recent weeks, down from the peaks of 400,000 in May – but even as cases are declining, experts worry India could be at the risk of a potential third wave of infections as just over 6% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated and only around 22% have received at least one dose. You can find links to Goonj, Doctors Without Borders, and Khalsa Aid International in our episode footnotes. Every penny helps.

Programming note: The YVR Screen Scene Podcast is currently on summer vacation! We'll return with new, regular episodes on August 24, 2021. You can stream our previous 177 episodes at YVRScreenScene.com or everywhere you listen to podcasts for free. Stay cool and #watchBCFilm! Episode sponsor: Fish Flight Entertainment