Leading London Asian radio station, Lyca Radio has been confirmed as the exclusive radio partner of the UK Asian Film Festival, for the second consecutive year.
The 26th edition of the world’s longest running South Asian film festival, will run at venues across London, Leicester, Oxford and Glasgow from Thursday 2nd – Sunday 12th May. It is presented by Tongues on Fire and is supported by the BFI, awarding funds from the BFI Audience Projects Fund. TV Partner for UKAFF Short Film Competition is Shorts TV.
The UK Premiere of Buelwa (Bhutan, 2023; Dir: Charmi Chheda, Language: Dongkha with English subtitles) will take place on Thursday 8th May at Rich Mix, London. The film is about the trials and tribulations in the lives of three friends grappling with their inner aspirations and worldly distractions, seen through the eyes of a monk who is forced to venture beyond his spiritual cocoon and confront real world challenges as his life gets entangled with them.
The Closing Film will be the UK Premiere of acclaimed actor Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut, Lord Curzon Ki Haveli (India, 2023; Language: Hindi with English subtitles) on Saturday 11th May at Regent Street Cinema, London. The black comedy-thriller tells the story of four South Asians abroad in the UK, who meet over an impromptu dinner that leads to a murderous night. Jha will be attending alongside actress, Rasika Dugal.
The festival’s Closing Gala on Sunday 12th May at Kiln Theatre, London will welcome luminaries from Indian cinema in conversation onstage such as celebrated playback singer, Kavita Krishnamurthy, who will be felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award; and actress, Karisma Kapoor, who will be felicitated for her Contribution to Hindi Cinema. Aligned to this year’s festival theme, fashion sustainability will be celebrated with maverick Indian designer, Rina Dhaka, as she discusses her environmentally-friendly collections and career trajectory alongside a runway show of her most iconic pieces over the years.
