Manchester Indian Film Festival
Festival
Between 26 June and 5 July Manchester Indian Film Festival (MIFF) will showcase the best of new Indian and South Asian cinema, web series, and emerging filmmakers’ shorts, and build on last year’s exciting forays into XR and computer games. The festival is sponsored by Manchester Met is being delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan English Department and SODA.
PROGRAMME:
Explore the Legacy: South Asians Changing the Landscape of British Culture
19:30 | WED 26 JUNE | THE CARLTON CLUB
Delve into the pioneering spirit of South Asian trailblazers who are still changing the landscape of British music. Uncover the stories of those who broke barriers, fused cultures, and forged a path for greater representation in British music through films. An open call to creative artists of all disciplines who would like to engage with South Asian Art and artists to come together and create an atmosphere of celebration, collaboration and network up north!
Join us for to explore the story of notable British Asian Musicians followed by a networking event where artists, collaborators, and creatives interested in working in the realm of promoting South Asian culture in the UK can connect.
*please note The Carlton Club is not wheelchair accessible
Parama – A Journey with Aparna Sen + Q&A
19:00 | FRI 28 JUNE | CINEWORLD DIDSBURY
Described as a ‘Renaissance woman’, Aparna Sen’s six decades in cinema as India’s greatest female filmmaker have inspired generations. Alongside Aparna, Filmmaker Suman Ghosh lovingly tracks her career, from her early days starring in Satyajit Ray’s Teen Kanya to playing leading heroines. Visiting many memorable locations of classics like 36 Chowringhee Lane and Mr & Mrs Iyer, Aparna recalls the 17 feature films she went on to direct, starring some of Bengal’s finest actors. Along this sumptuous cinematic journey, we learn of her inspirations and the many causes she champions.
Dir: Suman Ghosh | Starring: Aparna Sen, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rahul Bose
Run time: 82 mins | Recommended Certificate: 18 | Year: 2023 | Country: India | Language: Bengali, Hindi and English with English subtitles
Q&A with Director Suman Ghosh
Shunya (The Abyss)
14:00 | SAT 29 JUNE |BOLTON HIGH STREET LIBRARY
Anu, an innocent eleven-year-old girl, sets out on a journey with a traditional travelling theatre troupe to find her beloved grandmother, after she passes away and Anu is told she has gone to ‘God’s House’. Anu begins to understand the illusion of life and the reality of death, set against the backdrop of the beautiful but dying art form of Bhavai, a form of folk theatre from Gujarat. Vidar Joshi was influenced by his own attempt to process his grandmother’s death, and his memories of performing folk theatre as a three-year-old, in this touching feature debut.
Dir: Vidar Joshi | Starring: Jia Sheth, Lily Patel, Mehul Buch, Raju Barot, Mayur Ninama
Run time: 72 mins | Recommended Certificate: 18 | Year: 2023 | Country: India | Language: Gujarati with English subtitles
Wakhri + Q&A (CC) (BSL)
18:00 | SAT 29 JUNE |LIGHT CINEMA BOLTON
17:00 | THU 4 JULY | REEL CINEMA (WOMENS ONLY SCREENING)
A young widowed school teacher in Pakistan becomes a viral sensation overnight, after she accidentally unleashes her unfiltered opinions on social media. Her newfound fame as an influencer, however, comes with its own challenges as she tries to navigate the archaic mindsets that pervade society – all while trying to raise her 10-year-old son as a single mother. Drawing inspiration from real life figures such as Qandeel Baloch (Pakistan’s first social media celebrity), Wakhri is an extraordinary and moving tale of a brave woman fighting against the odds to live life on her own terms.
Dir: Iram Parveen Bilal | Starring: Faryal Mehmood, Gulshan Majeed, Shees Sajjad Gul
Run time: 99 mins | Recommended Certificate: 18 | Year: 2023 | Country: Pakistan, USA | Language: Urdu with English Subtitles
Q&A with director Iram Parveen Bilal (Light Cinema Bolton Screening)
Closed Captions and BSL-interpreted Q&A ((Light Cinema Bolton Screening))
BUY TICKETS (LIGHT CINEMA, BOLTON)BUY TICKETS (REEL CINEMA)
Before Nikkah (CC)
15:15 | SUN 30 JUNE |LIGHT CINEMA BOLTON
Set in London, Before Nikkah follows two British Pakistanis who go on a blind date, as they prepare for a prospective arranged marriage. Initially apprehensive, the date doesn’t start off well. However, fate conspires to keep the couple together for the whole day qnd as they get to know each other, their experience heralds some unexpected consequences. Paying homage to Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise, Zafar’s film is a soulful and charming romantic comedy that will leave you falling in love with the two leads.
Dir: Haider Zafar | Starring: Sasha Vadher, Aakash Shukal
Run time: 93 mins | Recommended Certificate: 18 | Year: 2024 | Country: UK | Language: English
Closed Captions
New Brit Asian Shorts + Indian Cinema Quiz Night
19:30 | TUE 2 JULY | THE CARLTON CLUB
LIFF is delighted to be showcasing the exciting work of the next generation of British Asian writers and directors with this sparkling selection of short films. From documentaries exploring the role of South Asian women in the NHS, to young girls finding freedom through skateboarding, there’s something here for everyone.
Hosted by BBC Lancashire Television and Radio Presenter – Neetal Parekh
The short film programme is on the eventbrite ticket link
Too Desi, Too Queer + Panel Discussion (BSL)
19:30 | WED 3 JULY | THE CARLTON CLUB
The legendary LGBTQIA+ showcase is back with a fresh crop of inspiring, thought- provoking and empowering Too Desi Too Queer short films. This year, these UK premieres have been programmed in association with Rainbow Noir, Manchester, with a bit of Northern spice. We have films for all the community, and you’ll have your chance to share your thoughts on these films with engaging discussions afterwards in each city exploring themes of joy, empowerment, connection and wellbeing.
Thanks to GIN, GIN Birmingham, Club Kali, Rainbow Noir, Bradford Queer Film Festival, and Leeds Queer Film Festival
The short film programme is on the eventbrite ticket link
*please note The Carlton Club is not wheelchair accessible
Closing – Queen of my Dreams
19:00 | FRI 5 JULY |CINEWORLD DIDSBURY
In this colourful and song-soaked delight of a film, young Pakistani woman Azra lives an alternative lifestyle with her white female buddy in Toronto, which is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother’s traditional values. When her beloved father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a flight to Karachi, where she discovers her Bollywood inspired connection to memories of childhood and the truth of her once liberal mother and father’s 1960s love marriage.
Dir: Fawzia Mirza | Starring: Amrit Kaur, Hamza Haq, Nimra Bucha
Run time: 97 mins | Recommended Certificate: 18 | Year: 2023 | Country: Canada, Pakistan | Language: English, Urdu with English subtitles