London Indian Film Festival acknowledge South Asian talent at the closing ceremony 

The London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) celebrated its closing night by showcasing talent from across South Asian film.  

LIFF awarded Shyam Benegal its most prestigious award, the ICON award. This award, given to artists or filmmakers who have excelled in their crafts, holds significant value in the industry. Benegal, a pioneer of ‘parallel cinema’ and one of the biggest and best filmmakers of the 1970s, also gave a live talk at LIFF exploring his 62-year-long career. The award honours Benegal’s work, which has not only highlighted the richness of South Asian culture and society but also inspired a generation of filmmakers.  

LIFF also presented Jayant Digambar Somalkar with The Audience Award, which is decided on by attendees throughout LIFF, for his work with the film Sthal. The film has already gained numerous awards, such as last year’s NETPAC award at the Toronto International Film Festival.  

Sthal, a Marathi movie directed by Jayant Digambar Somalkar, explores the rights of young women in today’s village, India. It is a powerful narrative that serves as a love letter to the nature of the human spirit, and it has resonated with audiences globally.  

Somalkar said: “Thank you so much to the entire programming team and the wonderful London audience. I am honoured by the immense admiration and support for my film, Sthal.  

“For an audience to love and appreciate the film is the best possible validation because they are the ones a filmmaker creates for.”  

Civic, LIFF’s sponsor, presented the Satyajit Ray Short Film Award. The award aims to align with the eponymous director’s humanist vision and support films that explore issues within the South Asian community.  

The award was given to The Clown, a short film that explores the intersectionality of femineity and race, directed by Kamil Chima. Chima was awarded a £1,000 cash prize after being selected the winner by a panel of judges for its compelling narrative.  

Chima said: “It is such a proud moment for everyone on the team to win The Satyajit Ray Short Film Award competition at LIFF 2024. It takes a village to raise a film, and I am grateful for the time and effort every single person put into making this vision come to life.  

“To have a story from the streets of Lahore resonate with audiences and juries in London is a testament to the talent and potential in Pakistani cinema and makes me excited to be a part of the amazing community of South Asian filmmakers that are rising and rising.”  

The closing ceremony also saw the European premiere of Kill, directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat and produced by acclaimed Bollywood filmmakers Karen Johar and Guneet Mongra, at the BFI IMAX on 3rd June.  

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, CEO of LIFF, said: “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to the films this year and the recognition with the ICON Award, The Audience Award, and the Satyajit Ray Short Film Award. These films exemplify the diversity and talent within Indian cinema and resonate deeply with our audience.  

The success of this year’s LIFF is not just a celebration of South Asian storytelling but also a testament to its growing global influence. Cultural festivals like LIFF play a crucial role in amplifying these narratives on an international stage, connecting people from different parts of the world through the power of storytelling.