Paper Flowers (Feature Film) - CIFF 2025

Paper Flowers

Directed by: Mahesh Pailoor

Starring: Karan Soni , Kapil Talwalkar , Olivia Liang , Tom Everett Scott , Faran Tahir, Meera Simhan , West Liang , Jenny Gago

Run Time: 1:41:00

Premiere Status: Arizona Premiere

At 22, SHALIN SHAH had it all — a loving and supportive family, the love of his life by his side, and a promising future ahead, filled with high minded ideals of changing the world. A recent USC graduate, Shalin heads off to Peru to serve in the Peace Corps for two years.

But when Shalin suddenly becomes ill and is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, his life is completely upended, and a once bright future becomes dim. Through chemotherapy and self introspection, Shalin tumbles on a downward spiral, in spite of his family’s best efforts. But with the help of Fiona and her undying love for him, they pull out of the darkness together and Shalin realizes that even in the midst of death and a shortened life, he still has an opportunity to change the world — by living his life in the moment and sharing his experience with others.

PAPER FLOWERS is a journey of love and loss, tragedy and hope, and most of all, a roadmap for all of us living and breathing to not to take our moments for granted and to remember to stop and smell the flowers.

Host or Publisher Chandler International Film Festival