Winners of the Tongues On Fire Flame Awards were announced on Sunday June 6 at the Closing Gala of the 23rd edition of the world’s longest running South Asian film festival outside India, UK Asian Film Festival, at BFI Southbank. The awards presentation took place following the Closing Film, World Premiere of documentary feature, The Beatles And India (UK/ India, 2021, Dir: Ajoy Bose, Co-Director Peter Compton).
Tongues On Fire Flame Award-Winners 2021:
Youth Curated Choice: Toofan Mail (India, 2021, Dir: Akriti Singh)
Making Waves Digitally: The Great Indian Kitchen (India, 2020, Dir: Jeo Baby)
Making Waves Diversity: Granada Nights (UK, 2020, Dir: Abid Khan)
Best Script: Manny (India and Latvia, 2020, Dir: Dace Puce)
Best Music: The Beatles and India (UK, 2021, Dir’s: Ajoy Bose, Pete Compton)
Best Production: Yoodlee Films for Chote Nawab (India, 2020, Dir: Kumud Chaudhary)
Best Director: Goutam Ghosh for Raahgir (India, 2019, Dir: Goutam Ghosh)
Rising Star: Svar Kamble for Chote Nawab (India, 2020, Dir: Kumud Chaudhary)
Best Actor: Tillotama Shome for Raahgir (India, 2019, Dir: Goutam Ghosh)
Best Short Film: Last Night in Vegas (Dir: J. Nicholas Meese)
Best Documentary: I AM BELMAYA (UK and Nepal, 2021, Dir’s: Sue Carpenter, Belmaya Nepali)
Best Film Audience Choice: The Beatles and India (UK, 2021, Dir’s: Ajoy Bose, Pete Compton)
Best Film: Zindagi Tamasha (Pakistan, 2020, Dir: Sarmad Khoosat)
Ray of Hope Igniting Flame Commendations were presented to Khape (India, 2020, Dir: Suchita Bhhatia) and Not Today (India, 2020, Dir: Aditya Kripalani) for highlighting key issues the world faces today and for resonating with Tongues On Fire’s ethos of supporting young people and raising awareness of mental health issues.
Certificates awarded to the Ray of Hope Digital Commission-winners:
Robby Khela (Better Days)
Mahenderpal Sorya (Saeculum)
Nimrita Kaur (Im)Perfection)
Annusheh Qureshi (Rukhs)
Sue Carpenter (Stronger)
Shayan Ali (Alif Alpha)
Shai Hussain (The Waving Man)
Deyali Mukherjee (Anand Dhara Stream Of Joy)
Umisha Bhatia (Same As You)
At a time of global unrest and displacement, the curation of this year's festival was inspired by the theme Ray Of Hope. The programme highlighted stories of resilience and bravery, celebrating those who take a stand against oppression and injustice. At a time of great division and inequality, this year’s festival content featured characters, stories and storytellers that strive for a better world through films that highlighted inclusivity, kindness and, above all, empathy.
UK Asian Film Festival, presented by Tongues on Fire, historically showcases South Asian feminist films and the work of pioneering female artists and auteurs. The 23rd edition of the festival ran in venues across London, Leicester, Coventry and on the Modern Films website. UKAFF is supported by the BFI and Arts Council England using funds from the National Lottery and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). #HereforCulture
Speaking at the Tongues On Fire Flame Awards presentation, UK Asian Film Festival Founder and Director, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE said, “UKAFF this year was an outstanding success despite the restrictions in place and challenges due to covid. Our audience were able to enjoy a specially curated hybrid festival- online and in person. The films celebrated unique stories and focused on bringing Ray of hope in challenging times. Our gratitude to all the film makers who continue to entertain and enlighten in these challenging and ever changing times globally.”
UK Asian Film Festival Creative Director, Samir Bhamra said, “This year’s UKAFF was simply euphoric! We were absolutely delighted to welcome back our audiences and communities who have been challenged by the pandemic. Many audiences felt nervous initially but once they witnessed the safety measures we had organised with our venues over the several weeks of planning, they were able to relax. It was very special to be in a collective space and for them to enjoy these powerful and hope instilling films on the big screen.”
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