London Indian Film Festival, 2019

20-29 JUNE, 2019

LONDON

The London Indian Film Festival, which was launched in 2010, aims at celebrating independent films from India, thus offering a sneak peek into the issues of the sub-continent through the medium of art and culture. Since 2015, Bagri Foundation has been backing the festival, which puts forth UK premieres of features, documentaries and short films.

The highlight of the festival’s 10^th edition is that there will be a diverse showcase of films across ten languages. Films directed by seven female filmmakers will be premiered at the festival. A new wave of LGBTQ+ themed films from India will also be showcased.

OPENING NIGHT FILM

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Anubhav Sinha’s film is about a police officer from a privileged, urban background, whose very first posting is in rural North India, where three teenage girls have gone missing. The film is about the deeply entrenched caste system which plagues Indian society. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana with Sayani Gupta, Isha Talwar, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub in pivotal roles.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

Photograph

The Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sanya Malhotra starrer is set in Mumbai and talks about a struggling street photographer and a shy stranger who develop an unexpected bond. The film, directed by Ritesh Batra, paints a story of emotions and relationships triggered by a single photograph.

Bengal Tigers

Vinci Da

Khandhar

Shonajhurir Bhoot

Abyakto

Urojahaj

The River

Iti, Tomari Dhaka

Young Rebel

Bulbul Can Sing

The Lift Boy

Roobha

Kattumaram

Chuskit

Extraordinary Lives

Sir

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota

Arishadvarga

My Home India

Film, Power & Politics

#Gadhvi

Reason

Saturday Afternoon

Widow of Silence

SCREEN TALK

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and actor Radhika Apte will discuss their journey in the Hindi film industry, their process of working and their careers

SATYAJIT RAY SHORT FILM AWARD

The competition’s final shortlist of films made by talented and upcoming filmmakers will be screened at the festival. The films are made on the theme of ‘South Asian Experience’. The award will be announced on the closing night of the festival.

TOO DESI TOO QUEER

The film festival has collaborated with Thrive LDN, Brixton Reel Film Festival, Queer Asia, the University of Westminster and others to hold a free event dedicated to London’s South Asian LGBTQ+ communities. Recent LGBTQ+ shorts from South Asia and the UK will be screened at this special event. A panel discussion will also take place that will shed light on empowering the community and looking after individual well-being.

- Titas Chowdhury