Following BBC's announcement of the possible closure of BBC Asian Network, the issue of British Asian talent in Great Britain's media has recently been in the limelight of debate. At times like these, the 12th edition 'Tongues on Fire London Asian Film Festival' brilliantly reasserts the importance of celebrating diversity.
The festival shall run from 5 March through 14 March 2010 in London under the following banner: "Reflecting, celebrating and inspiring through film". It shall feature multiple feature films, documentaries and short films from Southeast Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) including partnering cinematic efforts accomplished by film makers from the Asian diaspora and Indian artistes.
However, film screenings are only part of a wider scope of activities related to South Asian cinema, such as panel discussions, masterclasses, debates and interviews as well as several educational and community screenings.
In this sense, the festival opened to a "BAFTA Interview with Abhishek Bachchan" and a Gala Dinner celebrating Jaya Bachchan’s rich contribution to Hindi Cinema, which served as the preamble to a more complete retrospective of Jaya Bachchan's films.
Other special guests are Sharmila Tagore and Soha Ali Khan, as well as acclaimed director Shyam Benegal, who is presenting the premiere of his recent film 'Well Done Abba' and heading a directors masterclass. 'Tongues of Fire' shall also be celebrating the upcoming Commonwealth Games in India by presenting a series of films about sports.
