Three young teenage girls break away from their daily lives of domestic drudgery and familial abuse by joining a local surf club in the town of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Under the wing of a devoted coach, they discover a rare and precious avenue of freedom as they fearlessly ride the tallest of waves with unimaginable skill and dexterity. Navigating daily hardships, stifling families and the oppressive judgments of their community, the girls coax and cajole their way to a few hours on their surfboards every chance they get. But when their coach makes the decision to leave the club and the girls are left to advocate for themselves, their odds start to seem insurmountable. Written and produced by acclaimed Ontario filmmaker Lalita Krishna, Bangla Surf Girls will have you cheering for every wave and hurdle these young women overcome.

Presented in partnership with Ontario Creates.

Spotlight on Ontario: Open your eyes to Ontario-made stories in our latest provincial spotlight. Told through the diverse lenses of the province’s top women filmmakers, the films in this collection examine crucial social issues that resonate within Canada—and around the world.

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