The UK Asian Film Festival is a festival dedicated to expressing the drive and spirit of Asian independent media and cinema cultures of South Asia. It provides a unique international platform for Asians working in film and media around the world. Our screenings and events include feature films, documentaries, short films, panel discussions, and educational and community screenings. Founding Directors Pushpinder Chowdhry and Harvinder Nath began the Festival in 1999 with the aim of using film as a way of empowering women, particularly those in communities who seldom visit cinemas. The majority of the films shown are seen as 'independent' or 'arthouse' cinema, as opposed to more popular 'Bollywood' films. Both Pushpinder and Harvinder have recognised the impact that the issues conveyed in these films make on society, as the entertainment of these films is intertwined with political and social messages. Over the years, Tongues on Fire has brought the work of recognised talents in cinema including award-winning filmmakers. Some of our special guests have included Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake), Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham), Aparna Sen (15 park Avenue) and Meera Syal (Anita and Me), actors Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das, Madhur Jaffrey and Kiron Kher, Bollywood legend Helen. The 2008 Festival hosted director Tanuja Chandra and actress Mahima Chaudhry from Hope and A Little Sugar. 2009 Festival brought in directors Deepa Metha (Heaven on Earth) and Asil Kapadia. The film screenings are part of the wider Tongues on Fire activities, which has developed links with a number of cinema, schools, arts and community organisation around London to develop new audiences for this work.