Echo Chamber - TIFF 2026 - Vol 1 (The Lion Does Not Concern Himself)
There's a lot talent coming out of Canada, so for @EchoChamberFP to cover the 51st Toronto International Film Festival is a real pleasure.
It’s all down to the PR phenom Cynthia Amsden and like with the first year we teamed up for the festival, she’s come through with great stuff!!!
For our first instalment we have a short film that’s so much more than just a comedy. It’s engaging, character rich and a conduit to insightful dialogue. Which is perfect, as we got to chop it up with the director / co-writer & co-writer / co-lead that really let us dig into themes, motivations, inspirations, social perceptions and a heap more!
'The Lion Does Not Concern Himself' is directed by Zarrar Kahn, who co-wrote with Mohammad Ali Hashmi. The film follows a gym coach (Mohammad Ali Hashmi) whose toxic online persona is challenged when a new client (Naomi Eidinger) sparks an unexpected romance.
Watch the conversation with Zarrar Kahn & Mohammad Ali Hashmi: HERE!
Today we have:
The Lion Does Not Concern Himself - Poster
The Lion Does Not Concern Himself
Watch Review: Here.
2026 Toronto International Film Festival
Short Cuts 2026 Programme 02
World Premiere, Friday 11th September 2026 at 21:20
Scotiabank Theatre Cinema 13
Wednesday 16th September 2026 at 15:30
Scotiabank Theatre Cinema 10
Buy Tickets: Here.
Director: Zarrar Kahn
Cast: Mohammad Ali Hashmi, Naomi Eidinger, Richesse Kabongo, Steve Cartwright
Credit: CityLights Media Inc, POV Film, Suno Studios, National Film Board of Canada
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Running Time: 15 min
Cert: 15
Trailer: Here.
Website: Here.
Watch the conversation with Zarrar Kahn & Mohammad Ali Hashmi: HERE!
Zarrar Kahn
Zarrar Kahn
Writer, Director, Producer, Editor
Zarrar Kahn is a Toronto-based filmmaker whose 2023 debut feature, In Flames, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Director's Fortnight, won Best Picture at the Red Sea Film Festival, and served as Pakistan's official 2024 Academy Awards submission. Winner of the Canadian Screen Award for Best Debut Picture, Kahn is an alumnus of the Canadian Film Centre and TIFF Talent Lab. Kahn focuses on socially conscious genre filmmaking that highlights marginalized communities. He is currently directing his next major project, a climate thriller titled Suffering Is Optional. Produced by CityLights Media, the film stars Marvel breakout actress, Iman Vellani, as a young drama student grappling with institutional abuse and a ghostly climate prophecy.
Follow Zarrar via:
IMDb: Here.
Instagram: @kahn.zarrar
Watch Zarrar's films via Apple TV: Here.
Mohammad Ali Hashmi
Mohammad Ali Hashmi
Actor, Writer, Editor
Mohammad Ali Hashmi’s break-out performance in In Flames underscored his exceptional range and emotional gravity, solidifying his reputation as a transformative actor capable of anchoring high-stakes narratives with quiet nuance and authenticity. The Lion Does Not Concern Himself is his comedy debut - speaking to his immersive approach to character-driven storytelling. Hashmi is represented for commercial and screen work by the prestigious Amanda Rosenthal Talent Agency (ART), marking him as an exciting talent and one-to-watch for North American audiences.
Follow Mohammad via:
IMDb: Here.
Linkedin: Here.
Facebook: Here.
Instagram: @madhashmi
YouTube: Here.
Vimeo: Here.
TikTok: @itsmadhashmi
Watch Mohammad's films via Apple TV: Here.
TIFF - Poster
51st Toronto International Film Festival
10th – 20th September 2026
TIFF is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds.
As Canada's premiere home of cinema, TIFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world.
Information
Website: Here.
Film & Event Info: Here.
Film Schedule: Here.
Buy Tickets: Here.
X: @TIFF_NET
Facebook: Here.
Instagram: @tiff_net
YouTube: Here.
Check out TIFF's Letterboxd: Here.
Pinterest: Here.
Snapchat: Here.
TikTok: @tiff_net
*(Music)
'Give The People' (Instrumental) by EPMD - 2020