Covering London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford & Bolton, the London Indian Film Festival (LIFF), Birmingham Indian Film Festival (BIFF), and Manchester Indian Film Festival (MIFF) are proud to unveil an exciting new expansion of their Autumn programme – a celebration of new South Asian gaming talent and South Asian LGBTQIA+ cinema.

This Autumn, audiences can enjoy groundbreaking gaming events, the return of the much-loved Too Desi Too Queer and programmes of classic and new films.

Europe’s biggest games industry nightlife event, FORMAT, returns for a special Halloween takeover of Liverpool. The South Asian Game Zone will once again take centre stage at Camp and Furnace on Thursday, 30th October (6 PM – 2 AM).

This pioneering showcase will feature cutting-edge titles from South Asian and Indian game developers, many being exhibited in the UK for the very first time. Gaming fans will have the exclusive chance to play premium titles never seen outside of India, in a vibrant festival atmosphere that combines gaming with music, community, and nightlife.

For families and younger gamers, we’re bringing an immersive South Asian gaming showcase to Bolton High Street Library on Saturday, 27th September (12 PM – 3:30 PM).

Expect combat, arcade, and adventure titles inspired by South Asian cities and histories, alongside a special gaming tournament with prizes for top players. With interactive activities for children and families, this event is designed to be fun for all ages – making gaming accessible to everyone.

A much-loved and long-running strand of the London Indian Film Festival, Too Desi Too Queer returns this Autumn with screenings across the country, including its premiere screening at Home, Manchester on 26th October (3.30 PM start) with special guest the celebrated Northern drag performer Lucky Roy Singh. 

The programme is curated in partnership with Rainbow Noir Manchester, Bradford Queer Film Festival and G.I.N. (Gay Indian Network).

This dynamic and thought-provoking showcase brings together highlights from past festivals – a selection of shorts exploring the lives, experiences and well-being of South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities in the Subcontinent and diaspora with talks about the films and community well-being.

Audiences across the UK will be able to experience this collection online on BFI Player, breaking down barriers and amplifying underrepresented voices.

The addition of gaming and LGBTQIA+ programming to LIFF and MIFF’s Autumn schedule builds on the festivals’ reputation for curating the very best of South Asian creativity across film, culture, and now interactive entertainment.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Festival Director, said: “We’re thrilled to expand into new areas of storytelling, from the world of gaming to our ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA+ representation. 

These events celebrate the diversity, creativity, and resilience of South Asian communities – from family-friendly fun in Bolton to late-night gaming in Liverpool, and from cinematic classics to bold queer voices.”

The Autumn programme also includes:

• Screenings at Lumiere Romford, including classic Indian Horror and British Asian films (6-9 November) 
• Classic showcases at Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre, including Satyajit Ray’s award-winning Mahanagar
  (12 November in partnership with Sampad) 
• Facebook Live global discussion on Peter Brook’s much-loved epic The Mahabharata (18th October, in partnership with Baithak UK)