The 9th edition of the London Indian Film Festival scheduled in June 2017 will showcase quite a few new elements, the change in the Birmingham chapter being one of them.
Cary Sawhney, the Founder and Executive Director of Europe's largest Indian film festival, the London Indian Film Festival, LIFF told Asian Voice that they were changing the Birmingham element of LIFF to Birmingham Indian Film Festival, this year.
“Birmingham people are saying that its too much imperialism from London to have a London Indian Film Festival in Birmingham. They want to see their own identity,” laughs Cary.
They also hope to branch out in Manchester this year. “The LIFF films will be going to Leicester (Square) in London this year - it's a big step for us. Leicester is the heartland of top cinemas and that's quite exciting.”
The LIFF is scheduled to start from June 22 to July 2, 2017 and Cary and co-LIFF programmer Naman Ramachandran will get some amazing films that have been to the Cannes, Toronto and Berlin Film festivals.
“We'll be having one of the first screenings in the UK for a few of these films. Every year we seem to be getting closer to the Cannes or Berlin releases, which means we are getting these films in our festival closer to six months down the line, rather than a year or so.
“There has been a change in the way International filmmakers are treating us. Filmmakers want to bring in their films to LIFF. What makes LIFF unique is our selection of films, we do take risks and showcase off-the-radar films from the South Asian regions of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, India and Bangladesh,” said Cary.
The UK-Indian year of culture will mean stronger collaboration with the BBC, BFI and the Indian government. There will a reception at the Indian High Commission this year, and notable filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, (LIFF's patron) will be showcasing his new film and participating in the festival this year.
“It is rather rare to see him,” beams Cary who is really optimistic that the festival will attract crowds in the London and Birmingham circuits, just like last year. The London Indian Film Festival was established in 2010 to showcase South Asian independent films.