ABOUT US

Tongues on Fire

Tongues on Fire is a not for profit company founded in 1997. We produce the annual UK Asian Film Festival, celebrating the richness and vibrancy of South Asian culture, history, arts, storytelling, and self-expression by:

  • Opening doors and providing a platform for emerging talent, independent film and arts with a link to South Asia
  • Bridging art, culture, health, and technology to herald the challenges of a world in motion
  • Dismantling inequalities in the creative industries to readdress the balance
  • Breaking barriers, taboos in South Asian communities and encourage open discussion
  • Empowering the next generation through masterclasses and showcases
  • Pioneering networking occasions to develop leaders and provide wider learning opportunities

We are proud to have showcased films at UKAFF that champion stories of lived experiences rarely found in South Asian cinema. Below are some of these incredible stories we have brought to our audiences over the years.

GENDER EQUALITY

We have pushed for increasing representation of female filmmakers, from having showcased five female filmmakers in the 1990 to now 35 in 2019.

Madhumita, receiving the Best Director award for the film KD in 2019.

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Southall Black Sisters with a series of film screenings.

The 2018 opening gala marking 20 years of the festival, celebrating the achievements of women in film and the arts.

Jaya Bachchan receives Lifetime Achievement Award at 12th London Asian Film Festival.

Bhuna Athuya receives an award in 2011 for her contribution to Costume Design.

Canadian film Director Deepa Mehta talks about her Film Heaven on Earth.

MENTAL HEALTH

We champion films that challenge social taboos around mental health and create awareness within the South Asian community.

Khamosh Pani is a moving tale set in Pakistan, with the traumatic effects of Partition resonating in family life.

The UKAFF Talking Therapy​ campaign is available for creative practitioners struggling with mental health due to the pandemic.

Provoked is based on the the true story of a woman imprisoned for killing her husband after suffering years of physical and mental violence.

The Killing of John Lennon is a dark trip into the mind of Mark David Chapman, the man who murdered John Lennon.

The biopic film Manto traces the last four years of the controversial writers troubled life, as he struggles with alcoholism.

Lynch Nation documents heart-wrenching stories of mob lynching that have torn apart families and shaken India.

LGBTQ+

We are committed to redefining whose stories are platformed at UKAFF and are proud to have brought queer stories to the forefront of our festival.

A senior professor is suspended from university for having sex with another man, in Hansal Mehta's Aligarh.

In 2014 we presented a commemorative trilogy in the memory of acclaimed actor, writer and director, Rituparno Ghosh.

Ek Aasha tells the story of an aspiring teacher who has struggled with gender identity since childhood.

Director Mayur Katariya talks to Sailesh Ram of Asian Culture Vulture at the UK premiere of Ek Aasha.

Transgenders: Pakistan's Open Secret explores day to day lives and hardships of Pakistan's discriminated transgender class.

The path breaking film My Beautiful Laundrette offered a timely critique of the race, class and gender upheavals under Thatcherism.

FESTIVAL TRAilers

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The 24th UK Asian Film Festival Trailer

The 23rd UK Asian Film Festival Trailer

UK Asian Film Season Wembley Park 2019 Trailer

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Tongues on Fire
Company registration no:
4193798

info@tonguesonfire.com

+44 20 8961 8908

info@tonguesonfire.com

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