UK Asian Film Festival Announces 2026 Lineup with Premieres and Lifetime Award
The UK Asian Film Festival is scheduled for May 1 to 10, 2026, across UK venues. It features premieres of films like Ghost School and Shadowbox, a tribute to Zubeen Garg, and a lifetime achievement award for Muzaffar Ali. Deadline reported the details, including Q&A sessions and a 4K restoration screening.
DeadlineFestival Schedule and Highlights Deadline
Reported that the UK Asian Film Festival will run from May 1 to 10, 2026, at venues across the UK.
Veteran filmmaker Muzaffar Ali is confirmed to attend the 2026 UK Asian Film Festival. The festival will present a special tribute to singer, composer, and filmmaker Zubeen Garg. Muzaffar Ali will receive the Golden Flame Lifetime Achievement Award at the UK Asian Film Festival.
The festival includes screenings of P. – We Really Are Pakistan (2025), Edavela Stillness (2025), Mamun-In Praise Of Shadows (2025), and Friends Of Jilipibala (2025).
Opening and Closing Events
The UK Asian Film Festival's opening gala takes place at the BFI Southbank in London.
The opening gala features the English Premiere of Ghost School (2025). A Q&A with director Seemab Gul follows the screening of Ghost School (2025). The closing film of the UK Asian Film Festival is the UK Premiere of Shadowbox (2025).
A Q&A with lead actor Tillotama Shome follows the screening of Shadowbox (2025). The festival's Closing Gala serves as the annual UK Asian Film Festival Awards.
Special Screenings and Restorations
The festival hosts a screening of a new 4K restoration of Umrao Jaan (1981) by Muzaffar Ali.
The 4K restoration of Umrao Jaan (1981) was done by the National Film Archive of India. The screening of the 4K restoration of Umrao Jaan (1981) serves as its European Premiere. Muzaffar Ali will participate in a Q&A following screenings of Umrao Jaan (1981) in London and Leicester.
Film Descriptions Ghost
School (2025) follows a village child named ten-year-old Rabia trying to make sense of rumours, fear, and the sudden closure of her school.
Shadowbox (2025) involves Maya struggling to hold her family together when her husband is drawn into a murder investigation as love, shame, and uncertainty close in. Umrao Jaan (1981) traces the journey of a courtesan and poet in Lucknow, India.
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-01 to 2026-05-10
UK Asian Film Festival runs at venues across the UK, including opening gala at BFI Southbank and closing gala awards
1 sourceDeadline - 2026-05-01
English Premiere of Ghost School (2025) with Q&A by director Seemab Gul
1 sourceDeadline - 2026-05-10
UK Premiere of Shadowbox (2025) with Q&A by lead actor Tillotama Shome
1 sourceDeadline - 2026-04-17 (announcement date)
Festival lineup announced, including tribute to Zubeen Garg and award for Muzaffar Ali
1 sourceDeadline - 1981
Original release of Umrao Jaan, now featured in 4K restoration as European Premiere
1 sourceDeadline
Potential Impact
- 01
Cultural promotion of films addressing themes like fear, family struggles, and historical narratives
- 02
Boost in attendance at UK venues like BFI Southbank due to high-profile guests like Muzaffar Ali
- 03
Potential for follow-up events or restorations inspired by the tribute to Zubeen Garg
Transparency Panel
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