The Biggest Day

Production Company
Helz Pictures inc
Producer(s)
Sina Moazeni
Director(s)
Toni Sylvia Bennett
Casting Director(s): 
Sina Moazeni
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
No
Compensation Details

$150-$250 Honorarium

Shoot / Performance Date(s)
November 14-15
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
North Vancouver
Submission Deadline
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Submission Instructions

Please submit a headshot or recent photo, acting résumé or short experience summary, demo reel or self-tape sample if available, current city, union status, and availability for the proposed shoot dates. Please include “ASHA - [Your Name]” in the subject line. Submissions can be sent to: Film@helz.ca. Selected actors will receive sides and self-tape instructions.

Project Synopsis
The Biggest Day is a short dramatic film set during an intimate South Asian / East Indian wedding at a private family residence. On the afternoon of her wedding, Asha is surrounded by music, family, flowers, ritual, and celebration. When her long-lost Aunt Sylvia arrives with old photographs and family records, Asha discovers a hidden truth about her late father’s childhood and his connection to residential school. The film explores family silence, inherited pain, cultural identity, and the moment a daughter realizes that the story she carried about her father was incomplete.
Additional Information & Safety Protocols: 

This role includes emotionally sensitive subject matter, including residential school history, intergenerational trauma, family silence, alcoholism and anger in the family, childhood fear and self-blame, grief, and cultural identity. The production is committed to a respectful, emotionally safe, and culturally aware process. Actors will not be asked to disclose personal trauma, family history, or cultural background beyond what they feel comfortable sharing. No intimate scenes or stunts are currently planned for this role. Health and safety protocols will be communicated before production.

Character 1
Asha
Age
26 / mid-20s
Gender
Female
Description
ASHA is a Canadian-raised South Asian / East Indian bride in her mid-20s. Mixed-heritage actors are encouraged to submit, but this is not required. Asha is warm, intelligent, emotionally guarded, and quietly funny. She has built a life around composure and control, but underneath the beauty and joy of her wedding day, she carries unresolved pain about her late father. On the day of her wedding, she learns hidden family history connected to her father and residential school. This is a subtle, emotionally layered lead role requiring strong naturalistic acting, emotional restraint, silence, shock, anger, grief, and public vulnerability. Fluent English required. Canadian / natural English accent. No Indian accent required. Actor must be comfortable wearing South Asian bridal wardrobe and mehndi.
Character 2
Mother / Parso
Age
40s-50s
Gender
Female
Description
MOTHER / PARSO is Asha’s mother, a South Asian / East Indian woman in her 40s to 50s. She is loving, proud, emotional, and protective, helping Asha get ready for her wedding and sharing a warm, teasing mother-daughter moment before the ceremony. She wears a soft green sari and carries the emotional weight of family history and silence. This role requires warmth, restraint, emotional depth, and the ability to hold both love and guilt. South Asian / Indian accent is welcome if authentic to the actor, but not required.
Character 3
Aunt Sylvia
Age
40s-60s
Gender
Female
Description
AUNT SYLVIA is Asha’s late father’s sister. Indigenous / First Nations actors are encouraged to submit, and Mohawk / Haudenosaunee actors are especially encouraged. Aunt Sylvia arrives at the wedding after many years away, carrying a large brown envelope with old photographs and family records. She is gentle, emotionally steady, and deeply aware of the weight of what she is bringing into the family. Her presence reveals hidden family history connected to residential school. This role requires stillness, maturity, emotional depth, and cultural sensitivity. Actors are not required to disclose personal or family history in order to submit.
Character 4
Uncle Sarge
Age
40s-60s
Gender
Male
Description
UNCLE SARGE is a South Asian / East Indian man in his 40s to 60s and a warm family presence at the wedding. He sees Asha dressed as a bride and tells her that her father would be proud, unintentionally opening the emotional wound around Asha’s late father. He is loving, protective, and emotional, but unsure what to say when Asha’s pain surfaces. This role requires warmth, restraint, and natural family energy. South Asian / Indian accent is welcome if authentic to the actor, but not required.
Additional Characters

Additional roles may include South Asian / East Indian wedding guests and family members, 18+, all genders. Background performers should be comfortable with natural family/wedding atmosphere, seated reactions, and quiet emotional listening during the final scene.