Autumn Programme
We are pleased to say that thanks to support from BFI and Film Hub North we are back this Autumn with a very special selection of events to break through to new audiences in different partner cities, of course with our usual programming flair.
Our Autumn selection includes our first first screenings at Lumiere Romford, and a showcase at Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre in October and Novembe. Our Pride celebrations haven’t slowed down and the spectacular new Too Desi Too Queer programme, curated in collaboration with Manchester’s Rainbow Noir, will tour to Manchester, Birmingham, London and Bradford in October, expect special guests!
Based on the gigantic hit premiere of the restoration of Peter Brook’s Mahabharata at BFI IMAX in July, we are working with Baithak UK to host an International Facebook Live event on Saturday 25th October to discuss the work of the great master and his influence on cinema and theatre in the UK, India and France. Don’t miss this one and a host of legendary speakers.
Finally for gaming enthusiasts we are back at the massive FORMAT South Asian Gaming Zone in Liverpool on 30th October.
SAT 25 OCTOBER
Based on the gigantic hit premiere of the restoration of Peter Brook’s Mahabharata at BFI IMAX in July, we are working with Baithak UK to host an International Facebook Live event to discuss the work of the great master and his influence on cinema and theatre in the UK, India and France.
THU 6 NOVEMBER
A Marathi-language horror that follows an eight-month pregnant woman who, along with her husband, seeks shelter in a secluded house in rural India, only to find themselves trapped in a deadly situation haunted by a disturbing past.
FRI 7 NOVEMBER
The legendary LGBTQIA+ showcase is back with a fresh crop of inspiring, thought- provoking and empowering Too Desi Too Queer short films.
SUN 9 NOVEMBER
Sthal (A Match) is a poignant drama about teenage women confronting tradition.
AWARD WINNERS
That’s a wrap on LIFF 2025
It was great to celebrate another year across our Summer and Autumn editions, showcasing the best of new Indian and South Asian cinema, emerging filmmakers’ shorts and exciting forays into computer games. We would like to say a huge thank you to the whole team, BFI, Film Hub North 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.
A Live Conversation with the cast of ‘The Mahabharata’
Marking the digital restoration of Peter Brook’s epc film, London Indian Film Festival and Baithak UK hosted an online discussion on the iconic text, the visionary director and the technical challenge of restoration. Delve into the labyrinthine world of theatre interculturalism, the mechanics of the working process in a production of this span and complexity and the mountainous research that underpins the portrayal of an epic.
2025 Award Winner
Our Audience Award in London and Birmingham goes to Vinod Kapri’s Pyre. With stunning views of the Himalayas, Pyre is the tale of a couple’s quirky love story and resilience in spite of a changing mountain society. With two astonishing performances, the film explores pain of abandonment, endurance of hope, and heartache of unfulfilled promises.
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.
LIFF 2025
LIFF 2025
London Indian Film Festival returns to the BFI for its 16th year. It features a rich array of premieres from India and around South Asia, as well as a very special classic, the 8K restoration of Peter Brook’s The Mahabharata, which screens at BFI IMAX.
If you are looking to explore the best of South Asian arts and culture, LIFF is the place to be.
Trailer
This Years Line Up…
WED 16 JULY
La Haine meets Gangs of Wasseypur in this action story of a rookie cop who goes undercover with Tamil gangsters in Paris.
FRI 18 JULY
A teenager in Assam pursues her dreams of being in a rock band while confronting the raw challenges of rural life and traditional expectations put on women.
SAT 19 JULY
A rarely presented selection of emerging British talent with a lively Q&A.
SUN 20 JULY
A new restoration of Peter Brook’s version of the timeless Indian epic of love, morality and warfare.
TUE 22 JULY
With stunning views of the Himalayas, the tale of a couple’s quirky love story and resilience in spite of a changing mountain society.
WED 23 JULY
A mischievous Manipuri school boys quest to re-unite his mother and father.
BIFF
BIFF 2025
Birmingham Indian Film Festival returns in 2025 and features a rich array of premieres from India and around South Asia. If you are looking to explore the best of South Asian arts and culture, BIFF is the place to be.
Trailer
THU 17 JULY
La Haine meets Gangs of Wasseypur in this action story of a rookie cop who goes undercover with Tamil gangsters in Paris.
FRI 18 JULY
A rarely presented selection of emerging British talent with a lively Q&A.
TUE 22 JULY
A mischievous Manipuri school boys quest to re-unite his mother and father.
WED 23 JULY
With stunning views of the Himalayas, the tale of a couple’s quirky love story and resilience in spite of a changing mountain society.
LIFF OLD
Are you ready for a summer of South Asian Cinema?
We’re thrilled to share that LIFF is returning for our 16th edition from Wednesday 16th to Wednesday 23rd July! We’re showcasing a rich array of Indian and South Asian premieres and two very special classics at BFI Southbank. Stay tuned for our upcoming program announcement.
Calling all Volunteers
Every year, the London Indian Film Festival and its sister festival cities put together Europe’s largest South Asian Film Festival, and the vibrancy of the program largely depends on the support of its committed, hardworking and fun volunteer team.
We look forward to welcoming volunteers of all ages and backgrounds from around the world! Shortlisted volunteers will be allocated to various departments based on their skills, experiences and festival requirements. There is no short-selling the amount of work that goes into setting up a film festival, a lot of which was made much easier and a lot more fun thanks to our team of dedicated volunteers!
For this year’s festival, we will be in London from 16th July – 23rd July. The Application Deadline is Friday 6th June. Click here for more information
OM SHANTI
Shyam Benegal, an inspirational guru and a dear friend of the festival has passed. Magnificent career aside he was an exemplary Human Being who showed up and highlighted the plight of many downtrodden people. Goodbye Shyam Benegal. Condolences to his family, loved ones and Mumbai team. Shyam Benegal pictured below in 2022 with LIFF CEO & Programming Director, Cary Rajinder Sawhney.
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.
Sponsors
