The London Indian Film Festival is gearing up for its 17th edition, and it promises to be a star-studded affair. One of the highlights of this year's festival is the 25th anniversary screening of Aamir Khan's Academy Award-nominated film, "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India". This iconic Bollywood film will be shown at the BFI Imax on July 12, followed by a conversation with the legendary actor and filmmaker himself on July 16 at BFI Southbank. This is a rare opportunity for fans to engage with one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema.
But that's not all. The festival also opens with the European premiere of "52 Blue," a captivating film directed by Ali El Arabi and starring Adil Hussain and Neha Dhupia. This film will screen at BFI Southbank on July 9, followed by dates in Birmingham, Sheffield, and Greater London through July 17. The festival's Central Gala on July 11 will bring together the cast of the beloved BBC sketch comedy "Goodness Gracious Me," with Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal, Nina Wadia, Kulvinder Ghir, and Anil Gupta all expected onstage.
One of the most intriguing films in the festival's lineup is "In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones," directed by Pradip Krishen and featuring the renowned Booker Prize laureate Arundhati Roy. This 1989 cult film, set in a Delhi architecture school in the mid-1970s, will receive its U.K. premiere in a new 4K version at BFI Southbank and HOME Manchester. The restoration, by the Film Heritage Foundation, offers audiences an early glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan, who appears in a small role. This film is a testament to the enduring power of Indian cinema and the impact it has had on global audiences.
The festival also showcases a range of other films, including "In Search of the Sky," directed by Jitank Singh Gurjar and first shown at Toronto, and two Bangladeshi films from the International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2026 – Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's "Master" and Mejbaur Rahman Sumon's "Roid" – both premiering at the ICA, London, and Midlands Arts Centre. These films offer a diverse range of perspectives and showcase the richness of Indian and Bangladeshi cinema.
One of the most innovative aspects of the festival is the India's AI & Film Future event, which will take place at BFI Southbank on July 11. This event will showcase European films made with AI as part of the creative process, and it will be repeated in Manchester on October 2 in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. The jury selection for this event was overseen by director Shekhar Kapur, with panelists including Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Arati Kadav, Hardeep Gambhir, Deepa Bhatia, and Prateek Arora. This event is a testament to the evolving relationship between technology and the film industry.
The festival also includes a range of other strands, such as the LGBTQIA+ shorts programme "Too Desi Too Queer," co-curated by Manchester's Rainbow Noir, the Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition, and a Brit-Asian Shorts showcase paired with an industry panel, "Creating a New Horizon for British Asian Film Talent – Stronger Together." Peter Brook's "The Mahabharata" will receive Northern premieres in Manchester, Bradford, and Sheffield, and a Midlands premiere in Birmingham. These strands showcase the diversity of British Asian cinema and the talent that is emerging in the industry.
The London Indian Film Festival is a celebration of the rich creativity of the world's most populated region, and it offers a rare treat to audiences across the UK. With a star-studded lineup of films and events, this festival is a must-see for anyone interested in Indian cinema and the diverse range of stories it has to offer. So, mark your calendars and get ready for a cinematic adventure!
