London & Birmingham Indian Film Festivals return this July
The 16th edition of the London Indian Film Festival will take place from 16th – 23rd July at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX. Simultaneously, the Birmingham Indian Film Festival will run from 17th – 23rd July at Midlands Arts Centre. The festivals are part of what is considered the UK and Europe’s largest annual showcase of Indian cinema.
Opening the London festival is the UK premiere of ‘Little Jaffna’, a French action drama directed by Lawrence Valin. The film follows a rookie police officer who goes undercover in Paris to infiltrate rival Tamil gangs.
As part of the Central Gala, the festival will screen a newly restored film version of Peter Brook’s ‘The Mahabharata’ to mark the centenary of the British theatre director’s birth. This adaptation of the Indian epic will be shown at the BFI IMAX, with appearances expected from members of the original cast.
Director Rima Das returns with ‘Village Rockstars 2’, a film about an Assamese teenager navigating the difficulties of rural life while pursuing her dreams. Other featured films include Boong, which portrays a schoolboy’s cross-border journey in search of his father, and Pyre, a story set in the Himalayas focusing on an elderly couple facing the challenges of a transforming community.
The festival will also host an industry event in partnership with RIFCO Theatre to support emerging British Asian talent and explore co-production opportunities. In addition, a selection of British Asian short films will be screened as part of the festival’s ongoing programme.
Further films and events will be announced closer to the festival dates.
London
Wed 16th July, 18:10, BFI Southbank – Little Jaffna
Fri 18th July, 20:15, BFI Southbank – Village Rockstar 2
Sat 19th July, 17:45, BFI Southbank – Brit-Asian Shorts
Sun 20th July, 11:00, BFI IMAX – The Mahabharata
Tue 22nd July, 18:00, BFI Southbank – Pyre
Wed 23rd July, 18:10, BFI Southbank – Boong
Birmingham
Thu 17th at 7.30 pm, MAC, Little Jaffna
Fri 18th at 7.30 pm, MAC, Brit-Asian Shorts
Tue 22nd at 7 pm, MAC, Boong
Wed 23rd at 7.30 pm, MAC, Pyre
