#LAFF2013
7TH – 17TH March 2013
CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF INDIAN CINEMA, BOLLYWOOD & BEYOND
The 15th London Asian Film Festival focuses on the journey of women in film, with an exciting mix of great new independent films, some old classics and recent thought provoking films you may have missed.
The organizers are kicking off the festival this year at the BFI and are honoured to have Avinash Kumar and Geeta Singh – directors of the film Listen…Amaya – attending our opening night gala on 7th March.
Saturday 9th March is jammed packed with events at the BFI, SOAS and the Harrow Arts Centre. Our Young Tongues event is a joint event with the BFI Future Film. The festival is delighted to have director Bill Bowles presenting his documentary on Omi Vaidya’s rise to stardom in the film 3 Idiots. Big in Bollywood is a light-hearted look at Omi’s involvement in Bollywood’s highest grossing film, ever.
The annual Short Film competition will take place on 9th March at the BFI’s Blue Room. As always, this feature in the festival showcases brilliant emerging filmmakers and future stars of cinema.
A collaboration with the Centre of Pakistan Studies at SOAS continues with two events this year, including the award winning documentary Saving Face followed by a panel discussion with the amazing Dr. Mohammad Jawad, and other Pakistani talents.
The retrospective thread is from 11th March at the Nehru Centre, celebrating women in film – in front of, and behind the camera. English Vinglish’s director Gauri Shinde will be appearing for a director’s workshop on 15th March.
On Saturday 16th March the festival will celebrate Bollywood’s 100 years the way it should be – with a great big bash! Hosted by the BBC Radio Asian Network’s smashing hosts, Raj and Pablo, at the BBC Club.
