Shekhar Kapur

Shekhar Kapur trained as a chartered accountant in London at the behest of his parents, but later bucked middle- class tradition by becoming an actor in Mumbai with the film Jaan Hazir Hai (1975). Switching to a directorial role Shekhar came to prominence with films like Masoom (1983) and his greatest Indian hit Mr India (1987), one of the most-loved Bollywood films of all time, with Amrish Puri as the timeless villain Mogambo! Unlike most other successful Indian directors who have remained fixed within the Bollywood canon, Shekhar jumped into the global frame with Channel Four’s hit film Bandit Queen (1994), introducing Seema Biswas to the world as a groundbreaking female desperado.

Shekhar Kapur is best known globally for Oscar nominated Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age with Cate Blanchett. Kapur continues to work tirelessly in film and television from Bollywood to LA.

Tony Matharu

“As a long standing supporter of culture and the arts, and in particular the value it brings to our unique capital city, I am delighted to support the festival and to have been a part of it since its inception so that today the festival has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful film festival for South Asian films.

I am proud to have been part of the recognition and exposure of Asian films and the exceptional talent showcased to a UK audience, drawing attention and critical acclaim to Asian filmmakers and the diverse range and depth of their films.

I continue to advocate for the continuation of London’s arts and cultural sector and the vibrancy, diversity and the rich tapestry of life which has become synonymous with London. LIFF plays a key role in our efforts to ensure London is the leading gateway city in the world in which to be entertained, to visit, work, live, study and invest. You will always see insightful and thought-provoking films at LIFF: a wonderful addition to the vibrancy of London’s cultural and arts offering.”

Tony combines his passion for hospitality with philanthropy, sport and community engagement; acting as Founder and Chairman of Integrity International Trust – assisting vulnerable people, particularly children, following natural and other disasters; as London Chairman of the Lord’s Taverner – “giving young people a sporting chance”; as Vice President of the Oracle Head & Neck Cancer Research Trust; as Deputy Chairman of the Corporation of London’s ‘City Together’; as Chairman of the City of London’s ‘Vibrant & Culturally Rich City Group’; and patron of London Indian Film Festival. Tony holds a number of Board and other positions in the Arts, charitable sector, and sport – particularly cricket and hockey, and he continues to play at representative and international levels .Tony has founded many successful start up organisations and companies. He was awarded ‘Hotelier of the Year’ in 2013; received a Special Recognition Award for his ‘Contribution to London’s Success’ and a ‘Technology and Innovation Award’ in 2014. He is the Founder of an international hospitality consultancy and Chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Asian Business Association.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer. Adoor had a major role in revolutioning Malayalam cinema during the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most notable filmmakers of India. Adoor’s first film Swayamvaram pioneered the new wave cinema movement in Kerala along with “Olavum Theeravum” (1970) and “Athidhi” (1974).

Most of his films go to festivals around the world, and are released in Kerala. All the eleven films he directed, from Swayamvaram to Oru Pennum Randaanum (2008), were screened at several international film festivals and won him several national and international awards. He won National Film Awards 16 times, Kerala State Film Awards 17 times and also won several international film awards. He won the prestigious British Film Institute Award for Elippathayam (1981). Adoor received the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2006. The Nation honoured Adoor for his valuable contributions to Indian cinema by awarding him the highest cinema award of India, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2004.

Prakash Jha

Prakash Jha is one of India’s most distinctive writer-directors, known for bringing political and social realities into mainstream cinema with unusual force and clarity. Beginning with early films such as Hip Hip Hurray (1984) and Damul (1985), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, Jha built a body of work that engaged directly with caste, power, corruption and justice. Over the years, he has directed some of modern Hindi cinema’s most notable socio-political films, including Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005), Raajneeti (2010), Aarakshan (2011), Chakravyuh (2012) and Satyagraha (2013).

Alongside his feature films, Prakash Jha has also made award-winning documentaries and television work, and remains a filmmaker whose cinema consistently bridges popular storytelling and public life. Raised in Bihar and trained at FTII, Pune, he has long stood apart for combining strong commercial instincts with a serious engagement with the political and social currents of contemporary India.

Surina Narula

Surina Narula MBE is a British-Indian film producer, executive producer, philanthropist and cultural entrepreneur. She was a financier of the feature film Decoding Annie Parker and is currently Executive Producer of the documentary Bad Girl Billionaire, now in production.

Her recent projects include the short film Haunted Heritage, which is screening at this festival, and the feature films Tasme and Bali, both currently in development and production.

Surina is the Founder of the TVE Global Sustainability Film Awards and has long championed independent filmmakers, environmental storytelling and South Asian voices. She is also Co-Founder of the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature, a founding sponsor and advisor of the Jaipur Literature Festival, and founder of Difficult Dialogues, a forum promoting dialogue on contemporary social issues.

She was awarded an MBE for charitable services in India and was named Asian of the Year for her contributions to culture and philanthropy.

Lord David Puttnam

David spent thirty years as an independent producer of award-winning films including The Mission, The Killing Fields, Local Hero, Chariots of Fire, Midnight Express, Bugsy Malone and Memphis Belle. His films have won ten Oscars, 25 Baftas and the Palme D’Or at Cannes. From 1994 to 2004 he was Vice President and Chair of Trustees at the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) and was awarded a BAFTA Fellowship in 2006.

David was awarded a CBE in 1982, a knighthood in 1995, and was appointed to the House of Lords in 1997. In France he was made a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1985, becoming an Officer in 1992, and a Commander in 2006. He has been the recipient of more than 40 honorary degrees from Universities in the UK and overseas. David retired from film production in 1998 to focus on his work in public policy.

Sunny & Shay Grewal

Feryna Wazheir

Antonio Aakeel

Mira Kaushik