Organizers of the world’s longest running South Asian film festival have revealed the final line up of films and, the stars who will grace the red carpet in London with Bollywood stars Poonam Dhillon and Rajkumar Rao among those attending the 25th anniversary edition of the UK Asian Film Festival.
Dhillon and Rao will be in conversation at the Closing Gala of the festival on 14 May at BFI Southbank – part of the Festival’s Closing Event which will also feature a special centenary celebration screening of A Meeting Of Cultures, a heritage film told through the eyes of BA2 dance students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. It marks 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.
On the same day, actor, Jassa Ahluwalia, will also host the UK Asian Film Festival 2023 Awards.
Also in conversation at UK Asian Film Festival Closing Gala will be Jamil Dehlavi, celebrated independent film director and producer whose notable films include the Jinnah (1998) and the Cannes-feted The Blood of Hussain (1980).
The Festival will open on 4 May at BFI Southbank with the UK Premier of Sanaa. Directed by Sudhanshu Saria the film stars Radhika Madan and tells the story of the challenges faced by women in the Indian corporate environment.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Madan moderated by Smita Tharoor.
The Closing Film on Saturday 13th May will be ‘Bhagwan Bharose’, Director Shiladtiya Bora’s thoughtful exploration of the rising tide of Hindu nationalism in 1980’s India, told through the eyes of two village boys struggling with their understanding of God and religion.
The screening at London’s Kilm Theatre will be followed by a Q&A with actors Vinay Pathak, Masumeh Makhija and Satendra Soni and director Shiladitya Bora moderated by BBC Radio 4 announcer Viji Alles.
Among the other highlights of the Festival is the UK Premiere of Kamli, the latest offering from Sarmad Khoosat, one of Pakistan’s most provocative auteurs. Starring Saba Qamar and Nimra Bucha, the film portrays a woman’s struggle between her sense of loyalty to her missing husband and her personal desires.
As part of the festival’s LGBTQ strand, the Festival will host the UK Premiere of Trans Kashmir, S. A. Hanan and Surbhi Dewan’s intimate portrait of the unique culture, resilience and beauty of transgender women in Kashmir.
As it marks its 25th Anniversary Tongues on Fire UKAFF will once again spread its wings right across the UK, taking South Asian cinema to all four corners of the country with screenings and events planned in London, Leicester, Manchester and Glasgow.
Over the past quarter century, the festival has been a force in championing South Asian female-centric cinema and celebrating women in film – both behind and in front of the camera.
A festival helmed by women and feminist allies, its programmes have annually sought to disrupt the patriarchal status quo and initiate challenging conversations in its mission to advocate and promote gender equality in cinema.
The ‘Celebrating Our Stories’ theme of the festival’s silver jubilee year will present a curation of film stories centring on the British Asian experience – redefining and reimagining one’s roots and dreams in a foreign land – and will celebrate the individuality and uniqueness of trans generational, South Asian migrant stories.
“When we set up Tongues on Fire, we wanted to create a platform for thought provoking stories that stimulate meaningful conversations, unpack uncomfortable truths and challenge the patriarchy”, said the Festival’s Founder, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE.
She adds: “We remain true to our roots with a power packed programme celebrating our stories through excellent films, masterclasses, in conversations, live events and more!”
For full festival programme and tickets visit: www.ukaff.com.
