The theme of the 29th edition of the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) is ‘time to cut the crap’. The festival will take place from 23 April to 2 May 2027.

UKAFF accepts submissions from UK-based and international filmmakers. Eligible films should have a cultural connection to South Asia and/or feature South Asian talent in key creative or production roles.

South Asia is defined broadly to include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The festival also welcomes selected work from neighbouring regions and diasporic communities, including the Middle East, where stories meaningfully connect with South Asian cultures, histories or identities.

Founding Director Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry conceived the UK Asian Film Festival in 1998, recognising the power of cinema to challenge, provoke and inspire social change. Over nearly three decades, UKAFF has championed groundbreaking South Asian and diaspora storytelling, platforming internationally acclaimed and award-winning filmmakers alongside emerging new voices.

UKAFF welcomes feature films, documentaries, short films, long shorts, animation and experimental works from filmmakers worldwide. We encourage bold storytelling, fresh cinematic voices and artistic risk-taking. We invite filmmakers from around the world to submit bold, distinctive and original works responding to the theme of the 29th edition of UKAFF.

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will be eligible for consideration at the 2027 UK Asian Film Festival Awards, presented at the festival’s Closing Awards Ceremony.

Award categories include, but are not limited to:

* Best Feature Film
* Best Documentary
* Best Short Film
* Best Long Short Film
* Best Director
* Best Actor
* Best Screenplay
* Best Cinematography
* Best Music
* Filmwallahs Choice Award
* Emerging Curated Choice Award

The Emerging Curated Choice Award and Best Short Film Award are adjudicated by a youth and student jury as part of UKAFF’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of film audiences and curators.

Rules & Terms

1. Premiere Status

Preference will be given in the following order:

1. World Premiere
2. International Premiere
3. European Premiere
4. UK Premiere

At minimum, films must be UK premieres and must not have screened publicly in the UK prior to the festival.

2. Eligible Categories

We accept:

* Feature Films (60 mins+)
* Documentaries (30 mins+)
* Long Shorts (10–59 mins)
* Short Films (under 10 mins)
* Animation
* Experimental Works

3. Completion Date

Films must have been completed after 1 January 2026.

4. Online Availability

Films publicly available online or on major streaming platforms prior to the festival are not eligible.

5. Eligibility

Submissions are open to UK and international filmmakers.

Films must have a cultural connection to South Asia and/or feature South Asian talent in key creative or production roles.

South Asia is broadly defined to include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. UKAFF also welcomes selected work from neighbouring regions and diasporic communities where there is a meaningful cultural connection.

6. Language & Subtitles

Films not in English must include English subtitles. To ensure widest access, we encourage film makers to include descriptive subtitles and audio description capability.

7. Submission Fees

All submission fees are non-refundable.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

Festival Dates & Venues
The 29th edition of the UK Asian Film Festival will take place in May 2027 across multiple UK cities including London, Leicester, Coventry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Scotland, with additional locations potentially added. Selected films may screen multiple times during the festival.

Submission Process
All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
Selected filmmakers will be contacted directly by the festival team regarding screening formats and delivery requirements.

Screening Formats
For preview purposes, digital screeners are accepted. Selected films may be requested in one or more of the following formats, depending on the capabilities of the cinema:

* DCP
* ProRes file
* MP4
* Blu-ray

Cinemas do not accept GoogleDrive and Dropbox links to DCPs.

Materials Required Upon Selection
Selected filmmakers must provide:
* High-resolution 300dpi film stills, with names of the cast featured in the stills.
* Trailer/teaser
* Synopsis
* Director biography and photograph
* Screening copy of the film

Awards
Eligible films will be considered for festival Flame awards including:

* Best Feature Film
* Best Documentary
* Best Short Film
* Best Long Short Film
* Best Director
* Best Actor
* Best Screenplay
* Best Cinematography
* Best Music
* Filmwallahs Choice Award
* Emerging Curated Choice Award

Publicity
The festival reserves the right to use film stills, trailers and excerpts of selected films for promotional purposes across print, digital and social media.

Screening Fees
Please note that UKAFF does not pay screening or licensing fees for selected films.

Copyright & Clearances
Entrants are responsible for securing all necessary rights and clearances, including music and archive materials.

Liability
While every care will be taken, the festival cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to submitted materials.

Final Decision
Festival programming decisions are final. Due to the volume of submissions received, individual feedback cannot be provided.
28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vidur Bahl

    I had a great time at UKAFF!

    May 2026
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  • Sean Kardar

    Great to be a part of the 2025 UK Asian Film Festival. Once my film was selected I received regular updates and communication about the screening at the BFI. Friendly staff who were always on hand to answer questions. Lots of networking opportunities also. See you next year!

    May 2025
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  • Everclear Films

    Loved being part of the UK Asian Film Festival. Super well-run, warm people and a great space for South Asian voices. Felt seen and supported.

    May 2025
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  • Vasundhara Jadhav

    It was a great platform to meet fellow Asian filmmakers from around the world. The audience comprised of film buffs so the questions asked were thoughtful and evocative. All in all, I am glad that my short documentary was a part of this festival. I hope to be a part of the festival in the near future.

    May 2025
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  • Zak Mir

    I had the absolute pleasure of flying in all the way from New York City to attend the 2025 UK Asian Film Festival, and I must say—it was well worth the journey.

    A heartfelt thank you to the entire team for their warm hospitality and flawless organization. From start to finish, the communication was clear and supportive, and every member of the staff was incredibly kind and professional.

    It was an unforgettable moment to see my film, The Story of a Rock, have its UK premiere at the Rich Mix Theatre—an iconic and vibrant venue that truly brought the story to life.

    I deeply appreciated the thought-provoking conversation during the Q&A. The audience engagement and insightful questions made for a meaningful and inspiring dialogue.

    Grateful to be part of a festival that celebrates diverse voices with such heart and integrity. Thank you again!

    May 2025
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