That’s a wrap on LIFF 2024

It was great to celebrate our 15th year, showcasing the best of new Indian and South Asian cinema, web series, and emerging filmmakers’ shorts, and exciting forays into XR and computer games. We would like to say a huge thank you to the whole team and all of our partners for making this happen and to you our audience, for standing by us and continuing to support our endeavours to make diverse independent cinema accessible. We look forward to seeing you next year.

2024 Award Winners

The presentation of the annual LIFF Awards are seen by the film industry as a recognition of their art by the British Asian film loving community.

BFI Player

The London Indian Film festival has its own dedicated Collection on the British Film Institute’s BFI Player. The BFI Player presents the best global cinema on-demand: from classic and contemporary films to the best of the BFI National Archive.

BFI PLAYER

LIFF Collection on BFI Player (RENT)

LIFF Collection on BFI Player (FREE)

Great British Asians Collection (FREE)

Great British Asians Collection (RENT)

Too Desi Too Queer: A selection of LGBTQI+ shorts (FREE)

That’s a wrap on LIFF 2023

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us this year. It’s a testament to a strong team that we have been able to pull off two festivals this year!

Our highlighting of British Asian filmmakers, I’m pleased to say, has created a real buzz with younger South Asian people keen to celebrate our contribution to British cinema and arts. Our wild new action strand, ‘Death By Any Means’, helmed by the UK premiere of Kashyap’s must-see serial killer thriller Kennedy and followed by classic films also attracted new audiences

After our June mini festival, it was great to be back in five cities across the UK in Autumn to showcase some of the best of Indian and South Asian talent, both old and new. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the whole team and all of our partners for making this happen and to you our audience, for standing by us and continuing to support our endeavours to make diverse independent cinema accessible. We look forward to seeing you next year.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney MBE, Executive & Programming Director of LIFF

LIFF 2024

Celebrating it’s 15th year, LIFF returns to cinemas across the UK with a dazzling array of Indian and South Asian premieres that you will not want to miss including a spectacular closing night special presentation of Kill (produced by Karan Johar) at the BFI IMAX. We build on last years foray into XR and computer gaming and preview a new web series from YouTube comedy sensation Jasmeet Singh Raina (aka Jus Reign). Along with this we continue to champion the work of exciting British Asian talent with our New Brit-Asian shorts programme and the world premiere screening of Before Nikkah.

If you are looking to explore the best of South Asian arts and culture, LIFF is the place to be.

Brochure >>

OPENING NIGHT GALA

Kicking things off is the European premiere of the incredibly moving and life affirming drama, Paper Flowers. Based on the remarkable true story of Gujarati-American Shalin Shah and his transformative journey to inspire loved ones and strangers with his unwavering spirit and viral manifesto that challenged the world to live life to its fullest.

CLOSING NIGHT GALA

A train, two army commandos and whole lot of bandits is the setting for this latest film produced by Karan Johar. What ensues is breathless and operatic action thriller that will leave you gripped to the edge of your seat – Think John Wick on a train. Be the first to see this special presentation on the UK’s biggest cinema screen at the BFI IMAX.

FEATURES

From compelling dramas and timeless romance to unique Science Fiction and stirring coming-of-age tales, our feature film programme has something for everyone.

Acclaimed filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal returns with Wakhri (One of a Kind), a tale of a Pakistani teacher turned social media star, inspired by true events. Fresh from IFFK Kerala, comes the illuminating sci-fi drama Ennennum (Now and Forever). Winner of the Toronto International Film Festival NETPAC award, Sthal (A Match) is a poignant drama about teenage women confronting tradition. Paying homage to Richard Linklater’s, Before Sunrise we celebrate British Asian talent with the World Premiere of, Before Nikkah, a charming romance that is bound to leave you grinning for ear to ear.

DOCS

We bring you two very different but equally compelling documentaries. Parama: A Journey with Aparna Sen, shines a light on the life and career of one of India’s most prominent woman filmmakers and Tight: The World of Indian Bodybuilding explores a rapidly changing Indian society through the increasingly popular sport of bodybuilding.

SHORTS

Celebrate and support the work of emerging Asian talent in the UK with our New Brit-Asian shorts programme, showcasing a range of stories from South Asian Britain.

The legendary LGBTQIA+ showcase is back with a fresh crop of inspiring and thought- provoking Too Desi Too Queer short films. Finally, come to the ICA to see the brilliant shorts vying for the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competitions £1000 prize.

Coming up…

Kicking things off is the Indo-American drama Paper Flowers, based on an inspirational true story and starring Karan Soni (Deadpool).

OPENING GALA: Wed 3 July

Closing the festival is a special presentation of Toronto hit, Kill, , the latest from producer Karan Johar. This high action ‘Bollywood on Steroids’ thriller will be screening at the BFI IMAX, Britain’s largest cinema screen.

CLOSING GALA: Wed 3 July

Following critical acclaim at international film festivals, we’re screening the poignant Marathi drama Sthal (A Match), about teenage women confronting tradition.

We’re privileged to present the world premiere of a compelling documentary by a British director, Tight: The World of Indian Bodybuilding, offering a unique perspective on this emerging sport from Tamil and Keralan viewpoints.

Acclaimed filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal returns with Wakhri (One of a Kind), a tale of a Pakistani teacher turned social media star, inspired by true events.

Fresh from IFFK Kerala, comes the original and illuminating sci-fi drama Ennennum (Now and Forever).

Karnataka’s contribution includes the award-winning Mithya, narrating an orphan’s struggles.

Bengali cinema shines with Suman Ghosh’s insightful documentary on Aparna Sen.

We’re proud to present the Gujarati indie film Shunya (The Abyss), which follows an 11-year-old’s search for her grandmother.

This year we have an exceptional programme of UK Asian and South Asian diaspora movies. A highlight is the premiere of the British Muslim love story Before Nikkah.

Don’t miss your chance to support emerging talent with our Brit-Asian Shortsprogramme.

We’re also previewing the madcap comedy Late Bloomer, starring Punjabi social media sensation Jasmeet Singh Raina (a.k.a. Jus Reign).

Don’t miss the South Asian shorts competing for the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition’s £1,000 prize.

The legendary LGBTQIA+ showcase is back with a fresh crop of inspiring and thought- provoking and empowering Too Desi Too Queer short films.

We’ve also curated never- before-seen UK archive footage, showcasing the Asian immigrant experience.

You can experience the festival’s exciting new XR (VR and immersive reality) strand at Birmingham Open Media (BOM).

Gaming enthusiasts can look forward to our South Asian Games Zone launch at FORMAT in Liverpool this September.

Don’t forget to explore our new content on BFI Player, released year-round.

Are you ready for a summer of South Asian Cinema?

We’re thrilled to share that LIFF is returning for our 15th edition from Wednesday 26th June to Sunday 7th July! We’re showcasing Indian and South Asian premieres, classic movies, emerging filmmakers’ shorts, web series, and exciting forays into VR and computer games, across our London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Yorkshire Festivals. Stay tuned for our upcoming program announcement.

2023 Award Winners

The presentation of the annual LIFF Awards are seen by the film industry as a recognition of their art by the British Asian film loving community.

BFI Player

The London Indian Film festival has its own dedicated Collection on the British Film Institute’s BFI Player. The BFI Player presents the best global cinema on-demand: from classic and contemporary films to the best of the BFI National Archive.

BFI PLAYER

Too Desi Too Queer: A selection of LGBTQI+ shorts (FREE)

Great British Asians Collection (FREE)

Great British Asians Collection (RENT)

LIFF Collection on BFI Player