The UK’s longest-running South Asian film festival, the UK Asian Film Festival, has revealed the theme, opening, and closing films for its highly anticipated twenty-seventh edition. Running from May 1 to 11 across London, Leicester, and Coventry, the festival is presented by Tongues on Fire and supported by the BFI Audience Projects Fund, receiving National Lottery funding. Broadcast partner Lyca Radio will also power this year’s event.
The festival has long been a champion of South Asian female-centric cinema and the promotion of gender equality both on and off-screen. With its annual programs challenging patriarchal norms and fostering critical conversations, the festival continues to advocate for a more inclusive film industry.
This year’s theme, “Longing and Belonging,” explores one of the most profound human experiences, the search for connection, identity, and purpose. From love and the pull of home to the need for acceptance and meaning, the films in this year’s lineup delve into the universal desires of displaced immigrants, journeys of self-discovery, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Cinema serves as a powerful tool for change, sparking conversations, amplifying voices, and building empathy.
Opening Gala: My Melbourne (2024)
The Opening Gala at BFI Southbank, London, on May 1 will feature the European Premiere of the anthology film My Melbourne (Australia, 2024), directed by Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, and Kabir Khan. The film highlights four true stories of underrepresented voices in Australia, touching on themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. From a queer man reconnecting with his father to a refugee girl finding hope through cricket, My Melbourne is a moving celebration of diversity.
Closing Gala: The Glassworker (2024)
The Closing Gala, on Saturday, May 10 at BFI Southbank, London, will feature the London Premiere of the Academy Award-nominated animated film The Glassworker (Pakistan, 2024), directed by Usman Riaz. As war looms, the film tells the story of a gifted glassmaker and his father, whose lives are disrupted by an army colonel and his violinist daughter. When love blossoms between the young artists, they must find the courage to challenge their fathers.
A Platform for Diverse Stories
The UK Asian Film Festival showcases an exceptional lineup of films alongside engaging lectures, interactive workshops, live performances, visual arts exhibitions, and masterclasses. The festival also hosts its annual Short Film Competition, celebrating South Asian films and highlighting the rich diversity of South Asian arts and culture.
Festival Founder and Director, Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE, shares, “The need to belong is a force that binds us all, helping us overcome adversity and create spaces where we can truly thrive. This year’s festival celebrates the resilience of filmmakers who have defied the odds to bring their artistic visions to life. These stories are a powerful reminder of the importance of acceptance, unity, and the transformative impact of doing what is right.”
Creative Director, Samir Bhamra, adds, “This year’s gala screenings are deeply personal and visually stunning—utterly unmissable. If you’ve ever longed to find where you truly belong, come and witness these stories unfold on the big screen, where they are meant to be experienced.”
Raj Baddhan, CEO of Lyca Radio Network, also comments, “We are proud to partner with the UK Asian Film Festival for its 27th edition. The event perfectly aligns with our core values, and we are excited to offer our listeners exclusive access to exceptional films and talented personalities, ensuring this festival becomes even more memorable.”
The UK Asian Film Festival will celebrate the innovative work of British Asian filmmakers and international storytellers, highlighting the transformative power of cinema to bring people together and inspire change.
