Whats on

Rich Mix, London

London

Thu 7 May / 8.15PM

Long Shorts

OPEN Southall Arts Centre

London

Thu 7 May / 6.00PM

South Asian Feminist Poetics

Phoenix

Leicester

Thu 7 May / 6.15PM

Pukam Pukai

Blue Room Sports Venue, Harrow

London

Fri 8 May / 7.00PM

Magical Melodies

Kiln Cinema

London

Fri 8 May / 8.00PM

The Model

BFI, Southbank

London

Sat 9 May / 11.00AM

Future Forward

Rich Mix, London

London

Sat 9 May / 5.15PM

Bayaar

Phoenix

Leicester

Sat 9 May / 7.00PM

Umrao Jaan

Kiln Cinema

London

Sat 9 May / 8.00PM

Touché

BFI, Southbank

London

Sun 10 May / 5.15PM

Closing Night: Shadowbox

Metro Cinema

London

Tue 12 May / 6.30PM

KANWAL

Rich Mix, London

London

Thu 7 May / 8.15PM

Long Shorts

OPEN Southall Arts Centre

London

Thu 7 May / 6.00PM

South Asian Feminist Poetics

Phoenix

Leicester

Thu 7 May / 6.15PM

Pukam Pukai

Blue Room Sports Venue, Harrow

London

Fri 8 May / 7.00PM

Magical Melodies

Kiln Cinema

London

Fri 8 May / 8.00PM

The Model

BFI, Southbank

London

Sat 9 May / 11.00AM

Future Forward

Rich Mix, London

London

Sat 9 May / 5.15PM

Bayaar

Phoenix

Leicester

Sat 9 May / 7.00PM

Umrao Jaan

Kiln Cinema

London

Sat 9 May / 8.00PM

Touché

BFI, Southbank

London

Sun 10 May / 5.15PM

Closing Night: Shadowbox

Metro Cinema

London

Tue 12 May / 6.30PM

KANWAL

Phoenix

Leicester

Thu 7 May / 6.15PM

Pukam Pukai

Phoenix

Leicester

Sat 9 May / 7.00PM

Umrao Jaan

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WHAT'S ON

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VENUE SCREENINGSVIRTUAL SCREENINGS

This year UKAFF have partnered with Modern Films to bring you a selection of Virtual Screenings throughout the festival.

Venue screenings

Not Today

14 July 2022

SAHM Screening: Ahimsa + Q&A

12-Aug-22

The biggest weekend of her professional life gets more complicated when Sanaa, a 28-year-old financial advisor in Mumbai, finds out she is expecting. She’s absolutely clear in her decision to terminate her pregnancy, but the actual process of getting the abortion will force Sanaa to re-evaluate her life and consider whether the choices she has been making are her own. Saria’s sensitive script combines with impressively controlled direction and a riveting central performance from Madan.

Opening Gala Event: Sanaa

From 04-May-23

The film is a drama inspired by a real-life incident where a young girl from a rural village of North India, decides to fight for justice after being raped by the powerful incumbent Member of the Legislative Assembly, thereby starting a movement against the vicious patriarchal system in the most populous state of the country.

Siya

05-May-23

In suburban Mumbai, this film tells the journey of 3 families in the pandemic. After the lockdown is announced Arjun is home to find his wife has an affair with a neighbour & they have been quarantined. Akash a journalist anchor shoots barbs at his mother Sushma for lending money to the bread seller Krishna. Leela is an old woman suffering from OCD. Her daughter-in-law Naina & granddaughter Siya find it impossible to manage Leela's tantrums. Each of them find a firefly of hope to face life head on!

Chalti Rahe Zindagi

From 06-May-23

Offering an intimate glimpse into their unique culture, resilience, and beauty, this documentary chronicles their growing movement to secure basic human rights. Also featuring the pre-eminent gender rights activist in Kashmir, who is fighting to ensure the future survival of this community.

Trans Kashmir

07-May-23

Live music and dance celebration with the sparkling Bollywood Dance School and incredible band The 515 Crew. This joyful music and dance party is an ode to Bollywood with singers Chirag Rao, Shama and Surojoy Bhowmik and dances choreographed by the dynamic duo Shruti and Rohan Shah recreating the evergreen vibrant songs from Hindi cinema.

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

07-May-23

The Goodness Gracious Me series distinctively integrated Indian and British cultures through sketch comedy. The satires, musicals and skits played a pivotal role representing South Asian stories globally.‍The screening was followed by a Q&A and discussion with cast members Nina Wadia, Kulvinder Ghir, and show writer Sanjeev Kohli, moderated by Jassa Ahluwalia.

Goodness Gracious Me

08-May-23

Fatima Jinnah, a sister turned revolutionist, played a pivotal role in creating a country predominantly for the minorities of India. Though looked upon as the Madr-e-Millat (Mother of the nation) her stature later was exploited in turning a newly built secular nation into anarchy.

Fatima Jinnah Prologue

08-May-23

'Cycle' is a multilingual short film shot on a phone camera as found footage, and filmed in three uninterrupted long takes. The film features a large and ethnically varied cast, most of who were facing a camera for the first time ever. 'Cheepatakadumpa’ follows three women over less than a day as they awaken their naughty teenage alter egos when they meet again after years, unleashing mischief on each other, and in turn on the biased patriarchal belief systems of the India they were born into.

Cycle & Cheepatakadumpa

08-May-23

On the one hand, the film explores the suffocation and trauma experienced by Afeefa in her personal life and, on the other, the film evokes the atmosphere of perpetual uncertainty and violence in the milieu. In following the life of Afeefa the film traces her growing understanding of the forces at play in Kashmir.

I’m Not the River Jhelum

09-May-23

‘Whispers of a Storm’ is set in the cyclone-devastated coastal villages of Odisha, often known as the land of cyclones. A photographer, in greed of success, captures the devastation of the coastal villages after cyclone ‘Fani’ (in 2019), which happens to be one of South Asia’s strongest cyclones ever.

Whispers of a Storm

09-May-23

Funded by the British Council, this project supports young artists by developing their reach, creativity, leadership, and aims to provide a platform for them to benefit from transnational perspectives. Focusing on voices from an emerging generation of filmmakers, the project connects Pakistan and UK’s contemporary cultural identities and artistic expressions. The project consisted of masterclasses, hybrid workshops by industry experts, individual mentoring sessions to provide support and training throughout the filmmaking process.

SHORT FILMS ON RE-IMAGINING FREEDOM

10-May-23

The film’s narrative is portrayed through the perspective of a current-day young research scholar, who, intrigued by the creative genius of this poet, explores the history and events that led to the creation of his poetic masterpieces as well as depression, self-destructive behaviour, and his early death. Despite the trials and tribulations in his personal life, Majaz kept creating poetic masterpieces that are universal and imperishable even after so many years. The film chronicles all the major milestones and pivotal moments in the life of the poet.

Majaz

11-May-23

The untold story of Indian independence is seen through the decor of the Dishoom restaurant in Kings Cross, formerly a railway transit shed built in 1850. Dishoom co-founder Shamil Thakrar and history teacher Shalina Patel wander through the space after hours, discussing key figures and events, while the film illustrates this narration with a mixture of live-action and animation.‍

Luminaries

11-May-23

Based on their new book, Talking Life, we bring together lyricist, poet and screenwriter, Javed Akhtar, and film expert Nasreen Munni Kabir for a conversation. In the book Javed speaks with refreshing honesty about the ups and downs of this life – his early childhood, being an aspiring writer, breaking into the film industry and finding huge success as a songwriter and poet. Expect an evening of revelations and reflections, full of stories and anecdotes.

Talking Life

12-May-23

Regarded as one of India’s leading contemporary visionaries, Alankrita has a penchant for telling women’s stories, exploring the interior world of women through her films. She has made critically acclaimed feature films like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, Turning 30, and the incredibly popular series Made in Heaven and Bombay Begums.

Alankrita Shrivastava: A Director’s Masterclass

12-May-23

Looking at the secret lives of Usha, Shireen Rehana and Leela, four women who all live in the same neighbourhood in Bhopal and are all in search of freedom. Contending with a patriarchal society where money, clothes and sex are all used as a weapon of repression, the film shows the small acts of courage the women take to claim their desires.

Lipstick Under My Burkha

12-May-23

Kamli revolves around the story of a young woman whose husband has been missing for the last eight years as she lives with her blind sister-in-law. The film shows the woman's struggle between her sense of loyalty to her husband and her carnal desires that urge her to move on.

Kamli

13-May-23

When your universe is your family and your world is your husband life seems perfect. But when this perfect life is just an illusion where else do you seek solace. Kutch Express is a tale that showcases that life might show many halts and go through rough routes, but eventually the purpose of the journey should be the destination. This is a film about relationships, romance and art. The three elements that stand for expression of human emotions.

Kutch Express

13-May-23

A screening of ten of the best short film entries for the UK Asian Film Festival. This free event screens an exciting range of short films from new and established directors, working across documentary, drama and artists’ experimental film.

Short Film Showcase

13-May-23

Bhagwan Bharose is the story of Bhola and Shambhu, two little village boys whose ideas about faith are constantly questioned and changed as their little world expands and takes into its fold, their country’s fast-changing socio-political landscape. Against the backdrop of a rising Hindu nationalist movement in the late 1980’s India, the two impressionable kids struggle with their understanding of God and religion while experiencing the everyday challenges of childhood, conservative upbringing and communal surroundings until their idyllic world is blown apart by events that they themselves can no longer fathom.

Bhagwan Bharose

13-May-23

Raghu was a small-scale business owner in India who fled to the UK with his wife and daughter after being mired in a financial scam. The life that awaited them in the UK was far from perfect – they were dumped into shared accommodation, they did not have legit visas, and they were all expected to work for a meagre wage. Raghu regrets this move, but he is left with no choice but to stay on in the UK, make enough money to pay off his debts and return home with dignity.

Footprints on Water

13-May-23

Recovering alcoholic Jit Chauhan from Oadby in Leicestershire, documents his struggle with his addiction in this moving short documentary. A film about second chances, acceptance, understanding the impact of addiction on loved ones and the journey to turning a life around.

I’m Jit & I’m an Alcoholic

13-May-23

A heritage film told through the eyes of BA2 dance students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, marking the centenary of the start of the iconic collaboration between Prima Ballerina Anna Pavlova and renowned Indian dancer Uday Shankar from their first performance at Royal Opera House in 1923.

A Meeting of Cultures & Awards Night

14-May-23

When your universe is your family and your world is your husband, life seems perfect. But when this perfect life is just an illusion, where else do you seek solace? Kutch Express is a tale which showcases that life might show many halts and go through rough routes, but eventually the purpose of the journey should be the destination. This is a film about relationships, romance and art. The three elements which stand for expression of human emotions.

Kutch Express

26-Sept-23

Filmed in Scotland and India, this romantic love triangle unfolds at different points of its protagonists’ lives. Rahul and Anjali are college students and best friends, but their close bond is tested when Tina enters Rahul’s life. Years later, Rahul’s daughter, also named Anjali, tries to reunite Rahul with his old friend, who has long held a torch for him. Will love win out? Film Wallahs celebrates the 25th anniversary of this heart-warming box-office hit.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

01-Oct-23

Hosted by the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF), the longest-running South Asian cinema showcase in Britain, and in partnership with Queen Mary University, this networking occasion offered an engaging platform for the South Asian and British film industries. It allowed industry representatives and creative talents to connect, establish meaningful relationships, and foster future collaborations.

BFI London Film Festival Delegate Reception & Networking

10-Oct-23

Polite Society is a London-set anarchic action comedy that follows Ria Khan, a bolshy school-girl and martial artist-in-training who dreams of becoming a world-renowned stunt woman. When Ria witnesses her big sister Lena give up on her dreams by dropping out of art school and getting engaged, Ria's world is shaken. She believes she must save her sister from the shackles of marriage in the only way she knows how, by enlisting the help of her friends and attempting to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of freedom and sisterhood.

Polite Society

17-Oct-23

The Arts Centre Hounslow

Binga Teda

April-24

Fauzia moves to Belgium after marrying a stranger, Ali, over the phone. She is stuck in a house with her mother-in-law, Ruxana, who insidiously keeps her captive and is suspiciously tight-lipped about Ali and his whereabouts. Soon, she finds out that everything she had been told about her husband was a lie and her parents refuse to take her back. Ruxana offers her money and a potential shot at a better future but in exchange, she must keep her head down and play the part. Fauzia is about to give in to despair until a French tutor is hired to teach her the bare minimum.

Opening Night Gala: Minimum

May-24

Set in the newsroom of a failing newspaper in 1990s Pakistan, this story uncovers the cruel reality of child labor and the disparagement of wealth that drives it. With his words, the child activist at the center of the story brought down the country’s carpet industry. As it remains true today worldwide, those wielding the levers of power determine what truth is and who gets justice. This film considers Shahbaz’s transformation during his research as he grows from journalist to advocate.

Regent Street Cinema

Gunjal

Aravind, a high school teacher, wants to transition from male to female while working for a school in a small town in South India. When Aravind’s parents force a marriage upon them, they gain courage under pressure and, with the help of their friend Haritha, begin to live as a woman named Bhanu.

Blue Sunshine

May-24

In Queering Normativity and South Asian Public Culture – Wrong Readings Only, J. Daniel Luther explores a wide range of issues, from the construct of canon and notions of nation, marriage and home, to woman as a post-colonial subject, same-sex sexuality and identity. Sunny Singh’s A Bollywood State of Mind is a personal, intellectual and emotional journey that crosses five continents and 50 years of modern Indian history and cinema to explore why Bollywood means so much to so many across the globe.

BFI Reuben Library

Creative Minds of Tomorrow: New Writings

Playwright Tanika Gupta’s taut, absorbing drama, an original screenplay for BBC Screen Two scored by Nitin Sawhney, is set among a South Asian community in the north of England. It details a journey of discovery after a teenager falls passionately in love. In doing so, she challenges the tyranny of her embittered father and the toxic patriarchy of wider society.

Flight

Five short films made within 48 hours as part of an emerging filmmakers’ challenge, these dramas focus on themes relating to the environment and climate change. It was organised as part of CMOT (Creative Minds of Tomorrow) by the National Film Development Corporation, in association with Shorts TV.

UKAFF Short Film Showcase: Mission Life

After an attempted suicide, Saif is forced to move in with his troublesome brother, Ameen. As their opposing views and lifestyles escalate, each brother is finally forced to confront his own individual purpose, and whether he is prepared for the consequences of his actions.‍

Of God's Men

May-24

An enchanting evening, celebrating the incredible 100-year musical journey of the legendary Mohammad Rafi. Recognised as one of the most revered Indian playback singers, Rafi’s soulful melodies have left an everlasting impact, featuring an exclusive and insightful conversation with Anami Bose and Rizwan Rafi, Mohammad Rafi’s grandson.

Harrow Arts Centre

Magical Melodies Celebrating Mohd Rafi

A programme of unmissable short films from new and established directors, working across documentary, drama and artists’ experimental work.

Short Films Showcase

May-24

Kaju, a 21-year-old Indian American woman, returns to India to visit her family and discover her birthplace, only to stumble upon secrets and lies from her past. A horrifying genocide that took place 20 years ago turns out to hold the key to her mysterious origins. Amu is a 2005 drama film directed by Shonali Bose, about the tragic 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The film is based on Bose's novel of the same name. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Brinda Karat, and Ankur Khanna.

Amu

The film is about Sanjay, a UK university student decides to go to Washington through a fellowship program to pursue his love of life. A twist in the tale causes him to end up in Hyderabad, India while he teaches football and ends up learning a lot about himself.

Courthouse Hotel

A Game of Two Halves

May-24

Priya, India's first female superhero returns with her magical flying tiger in a series of short, animated films focused on the Covid-19 pandemic to climate change. She was named by UN WOMEN as a “gender equality champion,” and is a survivor of gender-based violence. Using the power of persuasion, she challenges and inspires others to take positive action. The films vary from traditional cartoon animation to puppets to augmented reality.

Priya Shakti

With a long and illustrious career that spans over 160 films and stretches across independent, parallel and mainstream Hindi cinema as well as international projects, Shabana Azmi’s distinctive body of work has continually shaped, defined and enriched cinema in a uniquely powerful and cogent way.

Somerville College

Celebrating 50 years of Shabana Azmi in film

May-24

Set in the 18th century, the film follows mountaineer Abhimanyu who slips from a cliff while leading a tour of the Himalayas of India. Left for dead by the group, he in-fact survives, finding himself in a strange valley where all the inhabitants are blind.

Country of Blind

May-24

Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das give superb performances as two unhappily married women living in Delhi who fall in love in Deepa Mehta’s powerful melodrama. Radha (Shabana Azmi) is unwavering in her devotion to her husband, Ashok (Kulbushan Kharbanda), despite their passionless arranged marriage. Meanwhile, Ashok’s brother Jatin (Jaaved Jaaferi) has brought home his new wife, Sita (Nandita Das), but is unwilling to give up his relationship with his Chinese girlfriend. Gradually, a slow-burning love blossoms between the two women. Followed by Shabana Azmi in conversation with J. Daniel Luther

Phoenix Picturehouse

Fire

May-24

Snow Leopard, is set in the vast and stunning Tibetan terrain, and uses the fabled creature to pose and probe the universal question of tradition versus modernity. An unexpected incident causes a snow leopard to break into the sheep pen of a local herder and kill nine rams not only causing a generational row in the family and attracting a TV crew into the village, but also triggering a heated debate on whether to honour or abandon traditional values in modern day Tibet.

The Garden Cinema

Snow Leopard

Jako, a small-time gambler and Vasu, a petty robber around Goa, cross paths at BlueBird Shack. Jako, looking for his ex-wife Maria owes a huge sum of money to the local Goan Mafia and needs Maria to sign off on their property. Vasu needs money to marry his hooker girlfriend who has served him an ultimatum.

Harrow Arts Centre

Baby Crasto

Traditional and strict monk Khenpo Tempa is sent out of the monastery by the Head Lama in order to work with three troubled young people.‍As Tempa gets to know their issues with anger, childhood trauma and lack of courage – he slowly helps them find a purpose in life through mindfulness.

Buelwa

May-24

A small-time thief makes the robbery of a lifetime when he accidentally breaks into the house of the newly appointed Police Inspector. And so begins this game of cat and mouse with the Police trying to recover the stolen goods to save the face of their department and the community of thieves uniting to save one of theirs. The chaos and confusion that ensues is - KAMTHAAN.

Harrow Arts Centre

Kamthaan

'How She Moves' Director: Anya Raza & Aisha Linnea Akhtar 'The Dark Side of the Moon' Director: Dr. Sagarika Golder

'The Dark Side of the Moon' and 'How She Moves'

A satirical comedy on politics and prostitution, helmed by Shyam Benegal and featuring Shabana Azmi in a brilliant ensemble cast. Rukmini Bai runs a brothel that is visited by some of the most prominent men in society. But when one of the prostitutes has an illicit affair, the establishment is put at risk.

Mandi

May-24

A Bengali journalist and a wealthy Punjabi socialite must convince their families of their love in this heartwarming Hindi drama. Flamboyant Punjabi Rocky and intellectual Bengali journalist Rani fall in love despite their differences. After facing family opposition, they decide to live with each other's families for three months before getting married.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

May-24

UK Asian Film Festival celebrates and honours one of Indian cinema’s most acclaimed and distinguished actresses, Shabana Azmi as she marks 50 years in cinema worldwide!

Shabana Azmi in Conversation

May-24

If Only - Based on true events, Abz and Yasmin are two young people groomed into a life of criminality by two older gang members Ghost and Kaydee. This film follows a chain of unfortunate events and the negative impact it has on young people, their families, loved ones and communities. Man To Man - Malcolm is embarrassed of his son, Dion’s, weakness as a man and drives him down to his old boxing gym to give them a lesson on the tough truth of manhood. But when both men push each other much further than they expect in the ring, their battle of fists turn into a battle of raw, honest words. How can 3 generations of men come to common ground about what it means to truly be a man, in a world that is constantly out to get them?

Brady Arts Centre

Double Bill: If Only and Man to Man

May-24

An immersive documentary love letter to the unique rocky terrain and culture of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is an Indian city with a distinct history, language, culture, cuisine, and physical features. This unique film considers how Hyderabad’s rich regional tapestry is fundamentally tied together by its famous rocks.

Other Kohinoors, The Rocks of Hyderabad

May-24

Brand Bollywood is the story of the ‘Bollywood-isation’ and globalisation of Indian popular cinema, from 1897 to 2023. In the 1990s, the outrageous, colourful, and musical Bollywood with its umbrella boys and star entourages arrived in iconic locations around the world. More than just new entertainment, Bollywood brought with it tremendous money, and quickly became a darling of the tourism, trade, and educational bodies thanks to the considerable export dollars for Western countries eager to tap into a booming consumer market in India.

Brand Bollywood… Down Under

May-24

The story centres around Fauzia, a newly-wed Indian woman who travels to Belgium following an arranged marriage, only to find herself trapped in a web of lies and misgivings. As she comes to terms with her mother-in-law Rukhsana’s insidious motives, her hopes and dreams are shattered. But aided by her French tutor, Laurie embarks upon a journey of self-discovery. As new friendships are formed and secrets revealed, Fauzia must learn to demand more than the bare minimum from life.

Minimum

May-24

A small-time thief makes the robbery of a lifetime when he accidentally breaks into the house of the newly appointed Police Inspector. And so begins a game of cat and mouse with the police trying to recover the stolen goods to try and save face, while the community of thieves unites to save one of their own! The chaos and confusion that ensues is KAMTHAAN.

Kamthaan

May-24

Four Desis (South Asians) in London meet over a thoroughly unplanned dinner. “There is a dead body in the trunk”, says Rohit to his guests on arrival. Ira laughs it off; her husband Basuki takes it seriously. The not-so-innocent joke will change their lives that very night! Q&A with: Anshuman Jha, Zoha Rahman, Rasika Dugal, Garrick Hagon, Anubhab

Regent Street Cinema

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli

May-24

Kuch Sapney Apne is a sensitive heartwarming film about a loving gay couple in Mumbai and their struggles; as well as family members back home in a small town who are faced with new challenges, that forces everyone to redefine their relationships. Join us for a Q&A with director Sridhar Rangayan and producer Pragyesh Kumar Singh.

Kuch Sapney Apne

May-24

Flight

May-24

Both in need of money, small-time gambler Jako and Vasu, a petty thief, cross paths in Goa. When they find out that Jako’s ex-wife Maria is on the run having been accused of stealing 5 million rupees from her cranky old landlady Baby Crasto, the two crooks smell an opportunity to get their hands on Baby’s alleged fortune and decide to register as paying guests at Crasto Villa to try their luck. Darkly comic, with plenty of thrills and suspense, and a wonderful performance from Supriya Pathak Kapur as the unsuspecting Baby.

Baby Crasto + Q&A

May-24

Khayam Khan’s coming-of-age drama focuses on UK-born childhood friends, Sanjay and Mia, who once dreamt of changing the world. But as graduation nears, Sanjay prioritises prestige over altruism and obtains a prestigious US teaching fellowship. Disappointed with this decision, Mia interferes with his arrangements and Sanjay is angry to find himself coaching football at a struggling school in Hyderabad instead.

A Game of Two Halves

May-24

Set in Mumbai, this sensitive heart-warming story follows a loving gay couple and their life’s struggles. As family members back in their small home town are faced with new challenges, everyone is forced to redefine their relationships. A sequel to the highly successful award-winning drama, Evening Shadows. Film screening followed by a Q&A with director Sridhar Rangayan.

Kuch Sapney Apne + Q&A

May-24

Set in the newsroom of a failing newspaper in 1990s Pakistan, Gunjal is inspired by the true story of Pakistani child labour activist Iqbal Masih, who led a movement against child labour in 1990s before his tragic murder. The film uncovers the cruel reality of child labour and the disparity of wealth that drives it, whilst also inviting the viewers to a nuanced exploration of not only the investigative process, but also the sociopolitical milieu that shrouded Iqbal’s activism.

Gunjal

May-24

Ankur/Seedling is a landmark film that launched both director Shyam Benegal and actor Shabana Azmi on their illustrious and often intertwined cinematic careers representing a new wave movement of arthouse films recognized for their authentic storyline, treatment and sensibility recalling the modest realism of the pioneering Satyajit Ray.

Ankur + Talk with Shabana Azmi

May-24

The 2024 UK Asian Film Festival closing gala and awards is a celebration in style with plenty of glitz, glamour, pageantry, and a whole lot of entertainment. Featuring an In Conversation with playback and classical singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy and renowned fashion designer Rina Dhaka, who will show and talk about creating a sustainable fashion culture and supporting traditional craftwork skills.

UKAFF 2024 Award Gala Ceremony

May-24

Four Desis (South Asians) in London meet over a thoroughly unplanned dinner. “There is a dead body in the trunk”, says Rohit to his guests on arrival. Ira laughs it off; her husband Basuki takes it seriously. The not-so-innocent joke will change their lives that very night! A heartfelt homage to Alfred Hitchcock, this suspense thriller is a tale of five immigrant Asians living in the West and their extraordinary lives, all in the course of a dark, funny and revelatory evening when they are forced to confront questions about their identity, colonial past and the promise of equality that life in London offers them.

Lord Curzon Ki Haveli

May-24

In this enchanting and colourful depiction of life in 1980s rural India, two young boys struggle to understand religious belief while experiencing the everyday challenges of childhood and living in a small community. In a world that is exciting but also potentially perilous, conflict over the notion of faith gradually escalates as the film builds to its powerful denouement. Shiladitya Bora’s remarkable feature debut, an articulate exploration of innocence and education, features two extraordinary lead performances.

Bhagwan Bharose

July-24

Aravind, a high school teacher, wants to transition from male to female while working for a school in a small town in South India. Aravind has been taking hormone medication for six months while hiding her identity from her colleagues and conservative family. But when Aravind’s father proposes an arranged marriage, Aravind is driven to embrace their new identity and begins to live as a woman named Bhanu. Although she has support from some close friends, the teacher faces adversity at every turn.

The Garden Cinema

Blue Sunshine

July-24

A Game of Two Halves is a transformative, coming-of-age story that explores themes of identity crisis and racial dissonance. Set across the U.K. and India, the film follows the journey of Sanjay, a young British student. When Sanjay finds himself in India teaching football to underprivileged children, he is unaware of the profound journey of self-discovery he is about to embark on. His true self is revealed not amidst the academic pressures of a prestigious university, but on the dusty fields of Hyderabad, India.

Harrow Arts Centre

A Game of Two Halves

Aug-24

In this adaptation of AJ Cronin’s The Citadel, we follow a young, idealistic doctor as he moves to a small village with intentions of making a difference. But life soon finds him compromising his values. When a tragedy befalls him and his new bride, the bitterness in the doctor exacerbates his pursuit of wealth and power. But it comes at a price. We are delighted to welcome Vijay Anand’s son to introduce the restored version of this riveting classic. Introduction by Vibhu Vaibhav Anand.

Tere Mere Sapne

Dec-24

My Melbourne + Intro & Q&A

May-25

The Collaborator

May-25

Warwick Arts Centre

We Are Faheem and Karun + Q&A

May-25

Mystic Mela - Programme Details

May-25

Mystic Mela: Kumbh Mela Documentary

May-25

Mystic Mela: Old is Gold

May-25

Mystic Mela: Pushtaini

May-25

Mystic Mela: Rocky Aur Rani / Bride & Prejudice

May-25

BFI Reuben Library

New Writings from the UK Asian Film Festival

May-25

Creative Minds of Tomorrow

May-25

Introduction to Film Analysis and Filmmaking

May-25

UK Asian Film Festival Long Shorts

May-25

The Umesh Chronicles

May-25

Regent Street Cinema

I'm Not An Actor

May-25

Courthouse Cinema

Bike Rider

May-25

Mystic Mela: Welcome Session

May-25

Mystic Mela: Yoga & Breathwork

May-25

Mystic Mela: Jai Mata Ji

May-25

Mystic Mela: Asians on the Square

May-25

Courthouse Hotel

United for Change

May-25

The Story Of A Rock

May-25

Mercy

May-25

Kids Fight

May-25

Her Right to Play

May-25

The Nehru Centre

Sholay: 50 years Later with Dr. Monia Acciari

May-25

Riverside Studios

A Teacher's Gift

May-25

A Street Play + Intro

May-25

We Are Faheem & Karun

May-25

Tell us about your experience of our festival. Your views are central to the way in which we develop our future programmes.