UK Asian Film Festival 2021

https://coventry2021.co.uk/coming-soon/The UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) is the world’s longest running and UK’s most loved South Asian film festival. Produced by Tongues on Fire Limited, UKAFF brings people together to enjoy electrifying untold stories, bold new cinema, and learn from award-winning filmmakers through an eclectic mix of masterclasses and in conversations. UKAFF’s short film competition and digital commissions nurture and platform the next generation of British Asian film talent. Founded in 1999 by Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE and Mrs Harvinder Nath, UKAFF works with communities and young adults to curate the best film premieres across themes that intertwine issues that matter with entertainment. In 2021, UKAFF will be celebrating the centenary of the acclaimed filmmaker Satyajit Ray with a selection of premieres based on the theme of Ray of Hope. Film lovers in the region will have a chance to curate the programme by taking part in UKAFF’s acclaimed film curation training led by academics, film curators and journalists.

THE UKAFF TEAM

With Belgrade Theatre Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE, a trained psychotherapist, has dedicated over 38 years of her life, to assisting the neediest members of the community whilst educating authorities to their predicament. Seeing the positive impact films have with mental health and well-being, specifically that many films highlight certain social issues that trigger thought provoking discussions, she co-founded the not for profit organisation Tongues on Fire Ltd (TOF) which organises the annual UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF). Over the years Pushpinder has received awards including: Women Make Change contribution to Arts and Creative industries Award by Arab British Chamber of Commerce; Queen Mary University Community Engagement Award for Memories through cinema project; Services to South Asian Cinema by Punjabi Circle International; Melvin Jones Award for dedicated humanitarian service presented by Stanmore Lions Club and Contribution to Indian cinema Award presented by Indian Link International. In November 2018 Pushpinder received a MBE for her services to the Community and Arts Industry. Pushpinder is a published author of “Women if Substance,” 1997. Pushpinder is a trustee at DAWN, Diwa Asian Women’s Network and committee member of Asian Circle NGO. She is a current member of BAFTA and the British Film Institute. Samir Bhamra is the Creative Director of the UK Asian Film Festival, the Artistic Director of Phizzical and the 2021 Senior Producer at Belgrade Theatre. His award winning artistic and film work has been enjoyed globally and he is regarded as being one half of the Top 5 Asian Power Couples in the Arts in 2020. Dr Ashvin Immanuel Devasundaram is Senior Lecturer in World Cinema at Queen Mary University of London. He is author of India's New Independent Cinema and Indian Cinema Beyond Bollywood - the world's first books on new Indian Indie films. Ashvin is Associate Director of the UK Asian Film Festival – London and directed the Heritage Lottery-funded documentary Movies, Memories, Magic.