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The London Asian Film Festival is a festival dedicated to expressing the drive and spirit of Asian independent media and cinema cultures of South Asia. It provides a unique international platform for Asians working in film and media around the world. Our screenings and events include feature films, documentaries, short films, panel discussions, and educational and community screenings.
Founding Directors Pushpinder Chowdhry and Harvinder Nath began the Festival in 1999 with the aim of using film as a way of empowering women, particularly those in communities who seldom visit cinemas. The majority of the films shown are seen as 'independent' or 'arthouse' cinema, as opposed to more popular 'Bollywood' films. Both Pushpinder and Harvinder have recognised the impact that the issues conveyed in these films make on society, as the entertainment of these films is intertwined with political and social messages.
Over the years, Tongues on Fire has brought the work of recognised talents in cinema including award-winning filmmakers. Some of our special guests have included Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake), Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham), Aparna Sen (15 park Avenue) and Meera Syal (Anita and Me), actors Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das, Madhur Jaffrey and Kiron Kher, Bollywood legend Helen.
The 2008 Festival hosted director Tanuja Chandra and actress Mahima Chaudhry from Hope and A Little Sugar.
The 2009 Festival brought in directors Deepa Metha (Heaven on Earth) and Asil Kapadia.
The 2010 Festival saw Jaya Bachchan receiving a "Lifetime Achievement Award" and her son, the star Abhishek Bachchan, announcing he was becoming Tongues on Fire Honorary Patron. It also brought in to London the likes of Shyam Benegal, Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan.
Film screenings are part of the wider Tongues on Fire activities, which has developed links with a number of cinema, schools, arts and community organisation around London throughout the year as well as during the annual March festival.
HONORARY PATRON
 Abhishek Bachchan
On the Opening Night of the 12th London Asian Film Festival in March 2010, actor and star Abhishek Bachchan announced he accepted invitation to become our Honorary Patron. That night marked the beginning of a long partnership to promote Asian Cinema and Culture in the UK.
| PATRONS |
BOARD OF ADVISORS
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FESTIVAL TEAM
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| Meera Syal |
Lady Kishwar Desai: Chairperson
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Festival Director: Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry |
| Dr Rachel Dwyer |
Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry: Director |
Festival Programmer: Keerthi Suresh |
| Sunita Sangar |
Naman Ramachandran |
Media Manager: Debora Setnik
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| Saira Kazmi |
Amanda Merron |
Digital Content Producer/ Technical Administrator: Parag Sankhe |
| Indy Aujla |
Dr Mike Allen |
Accounts and Finance Director: Sharnjit Bhalla |
| Harant Khangura |
Sharnjit Bhalla |
General Secretary: Jaskiran Gidar |
| Satbir Khangura |
Ajay Chowdhury |
Short Film Competition Coordinator: Balvinder Mudan |
| Manpriya Bhullar |
Roddy Mullin |
Member Rep: Anoushka Dhawan |
| Ashok Dhawan |
Rima Choudhry |
Asia Representative (India): Rima Kashyap |
| Vijay Kumar Gupta |
Javed Jabbar |
Website: Transputec Computers PLC |
| Shashi Gupta |
Nermeen Varawalla |
Print: Evolution Design and Communication, LTD |
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Festival Founders: Pushpinder Chowdhry and Harvinder Nath
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