Showing Events in 2019

This year marks BIFF’s 5th anniversary and it promises to be a showcase of rich, entertaining and thought-provoking independent films.

A showcase of creative writing produced by women who have survived extreme life experiences.

Sun 16 June | 4pm | MAC
Part comic play/part live cooking demonstration/ part theatre, The Chef Show centres on father and son Abdul and Khalid on a particularly busy night in their restaurant.

Join Rural Media and Sampad at MAC Birmingham to hear about an exciting new opportunity to be commissioned by the BBC and Arts Council England. We’re looking for Midlands based Artists and Creatives aged between 16-30 who have innovative ideas for short form audio, film and interactive work.

Tue 16 April | 7.30pm | MAC
Over the last 25 years Abhinava Dance Company has firmly established itself as one of India’s most popular and cutting-edge dance companies, bringing a fresh and thrilling approach to Classical dance.

Wed 10 April | 7.30pm | Birmingham Town Hall
Oscar-winning director Satyajit Ray’s cult film Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, will be projected on a large screen with a reimagined live cinematic score (King of Ghosts) that features the haunting sounds of Soumik’s sarod (19 stringed fretless lute), Cormac Byrne’s Irish folk rhythms and City of London Sinfonia.

Drawing on a rich vein of Islamic and Sufi poetry, Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music from the Indian subcontinent and Rizwan-Muazzam come from a direct family line of spiritual Qawwali singers that spans five centuries.

Arriving at the nanny’s feudal home village the teacher uncovers a dangerous truth that will quickly destabilise her world. Starring Aamina Sheikh and Mohib Mirza, Josh is a compelling film about class and social struggle that takes no prisoners.

Birmingham Indian Film Festival, Sampad and Birmingham City University come together with Film Hub Midlands, Saathi Nights and Brum Asians LGBT to present an evening exploring and celebrating the South Asian LGBTQI+ experience and wellbeing with screenings of new and classic short films in a safe and friendly space.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is a Pakistani film-maker, journalist and activist known for her work in highlighting inequality with women. Winner of numerous awards, Sharmeen was honoured with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian honour of the country, by the Government of Pakistan in 2012 and is the only woman to win two Oscars by the age of 37.

Hailed as the first Pahari film, Lakeer is dedicated to those displaced during partition and dying to visit their birthplaces.

This event will be held at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham and will be hosted by Shaista Chisthy. Shaista is a London based Documentary Photographer & Visual Artist exploring identity, representation and notions of ‘otherness’, particularly of Muslims in Britain. Shai uses news and mainstream media along with humour to challenge narratives which often serve to de-humanise, over simplify and reinforce a ‘them and us’ in society.

Sampad’s annual showcase returns with a thrilling celebration of South Asian dance. This year marks the incredible 21st edition of Asian Spring, and to commend this momentous occasion, the performance will be hosted at the prestigious Birmingham Town Hall.

After the success of our first ever Chai and Chat in October 2018, we have the inspiring Abda Khan hosting our next event at Wolverhampton Literature Festival. Join us for an afternoon of celebrating women’s creativity and a cup of tea!