FROM SRI LANKA TO LONDON: A NEW GLOBAL STAGE FOR SOUTH ASIAN CINEMA
Pushpinder & Anita on Documentary Day
UK Asian Film Festival and The Mighty Muse join forces to open doors for emerging filmmakers, international partnerships and a new generation of South Asian storytelling.
As London becomes the meeting point for international cinema this October, a significant initiative is bringing South Asian filmmakers closer to the people, partnerships and opportunities that can transform their creative ambitions into international success. For Sri Lanka, the possibilities are particularly exciting. The Sun (Daily Mirror) is pleased to be the Sri Lankan Media Partner for this important initiative, supporting the celebration of South Asian cinema and the development of meaningful cultural and creative connections between Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the international film industry.
On the 16th of October, the UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF), in collaboration with The Mighty Muse, will present a special Industry Day and London Film Festival Delegates Reception at BFI Stephen Street in London, creating a platform for filmmakers, producers, financiers, distributors and creative professionals to engage in conversations that could shape the future of South Asian cinema. Positioned within the prestigious BFI London Film Festival calendar, the event represents more than another gathering of film industry personalities. Its ambition is to create practical pathways for talented filmmakers whose stories deserve international recognition, but who frequently encounter difficulties accessing finance, production partnerships and distribution networks. For Sri Lankan filmmakers seeking to take their work beyond national borders, the initiative offers a compelling glimpse into what stronger international collaboration could achieve.
THE MIGHTY MUSE: CONNECTING CULTURE, COMMERCE AND CREATIVITY
At the heart of this collaboration is Anita Horam, Founder and Artistic Director of The Mighty Muse, whose vision places cultural storytelling within a wider international creative and commercial framework. The Mighty Muse operates at the intersection of culture, commerce and global storytelling, drawing upon an international network of creative professionals and collaborators to develop opportunities across borders. For Anita, successful filmmaking depends as much on relationships and strategic partnerships as it does on creative inspiration. "With all things film, it is no exaggeration to say it really does take a village," she explains. Her organisation functions through a global collective of like-minded professionals who contribute their expertise to projects and creative collaborations. The partnership with UKAFF emerged from a shared enthusiasm for cinema and a determination to strengthen opportunities for South Asian talent. Anita recalls an immediate connection with Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE, Founder and CEO of UKAFF, based on their common passion for South Asian creativity and their complementary approaches to building meaningful initiatives. Their collaboration subsequently expanded to include filmmaker and UKAFF Industry Lead Amit Kaur, bringing together established festival experience, contemporary international networks and practical industry knowledge. The result is a partnership determined to move beyond simply celebrating cinema towards helping filmmakers develop sustainable careers and commercially viable projects.
NEARLY THREE DECADES OF CHAMPIONING SOUTH ASIAN VOICES
The UK Asian Film Festival has spent nearly three decades introducing South Asian stories to British audiences. Established through Tongues on Fire, the festival has become an important cultural platform for cinema reflecting the diversity of South Asian communities, languages and experiences. Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE, who founded Tongues on Fire and UKAFF, believes cinema has a unique capacity to connect communities while encouraging understanding and cultural exchange. The festival's work extends beyond screenings to include workshops, masterclasses, networking programmes and initiatives supporting independent filmmakers. According to Pushpinder, Sri Lanka has always been an important part of this wider South Asian creative landscape. Through UKAFF, Sri Lankan films have been presented to British audiences, helping filmmakers introduce their distinctive perspectives to international viewers. This commitment is particularly significant at a time when audiences increasingly seek authentic stories reflecting cultures and experiences beyond mainstream commercial cinema. For Sri Lankan directors, writers and producers, such platforms can provide invaluable international exposure.
SRI LANKAN CINEMA ALREADY MAKING ITS MARK
One notable example of the festival's relationship with Sri Lankan cinema is Tentigo, directed by Ilango Ram and produced by Hiranya Perera. The Sri Lankan film was screened in 2024 as part of the launch of UKAFF's Future Forward initiative, demonstrating how an original story emerging from Sri Lanka can connect with audiences and industry professionals internationally. Its subsequent journey has been particularly encouraging. The film inspired the Tamil-language remake Perusu, while further adaptations have been developed for other languages and territories. For Amit Kaur, this illustrates the potential of culturally rooted storytelling to travel internationally without losing its distinctive identity. A story conceived in Sri Lanka can resonate with audiences elsewhere, attract creative partners and generate opportunities for adaptation and commercial development. It is an encouraging example for a country whose filmmakers possess considerable storytelling talent but often work within limited financial and distribution structures. While Tentigo provides a tangible example of Sri Lankan cinema's international potential, the broader objective is to establish pathways through which many more films can reach global audiences.
AN INDUSTRY DAY DESIGNED TO DELIVER RESULTS
The 16th of October programme consists of two complementary events. The Industry Day, from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., is dedicated to South Asian and diaspora filmmakers developing their first or second feature films. It will feature practical discussions covering film development, impact and distribution, alongside the commercial considerations involved in bringing projects to fruition. The London Film Festival Delegates Reception, from 3:00p.m. to 6:00p.m., will bring together a curated group of festival delegates, filmmakers and experienced industry professionals. Rather than concentrating exclusively on artistic discussions, the organisers want participants to understand how projects can be financed, structured, produced and successfully brought to audiences. Anita describes the initiative as providing access to a carefully selected group of relevant industry professionals. Discussions will address matters including production budgets, tax structures, co-production agreements, distribution pathways and international commercial partnerships.
These are often the areas in which independent filmmakers encounter their greatest obstacles. For filmmakers who have compelling scripts but lack industry connections, access to the right professionals can make the difference between a project remaining an ambition and becoming a completed feature film.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN FILMMAKERS
An important element of the organisers' wider work is the advancement of female filmmakers. Through Future Forward, UKAFF has already demonstrated a commitment to ensuring women producers have opportunities to present projects directly to industry decision-makers. Across two pilot-market editions, two of the three projects presented in each edition were led by female producers. Significantly, a project led by a female producer from the programme has been selected for this year's Production Finance Market. The achievement demonstrates how targeted support and industry introductions can translate into tangible professional progress. For Sri Lankan women working in cinema, the emphasis on inclusion and professional development is especially relevant. Participation in international programmes can provide opportunities to build networks, gain financing knowledge and develop partnerships that may otherwise remain inaccessible. The organisers' approach recognises that supporting filmmakers means not only celebrating their achievements but also ensuring they can access the resources needed to continue making films.
FUTURE FORWARD: FROM CREATIVE IDEAS TO COMMERCIAL POSSIBILITIES
Future Forward has become an important foundation for the new Industry Day initiative. Developed and led by Amit Kaur in collaboration with UKAFF, it began in 2024 and subsequently expanded into a programme connecting filmmakers with experienced industry professionals. Its pilot market enabled selected producers to pitch feature projects to representatives from organisations including the British Film Institute and Film London. By 2026, the programme had expanded to include a producer from India, further strengthening its international dimension. Knowledge sessions covering taxation and debt financing, delivered with McAlvins and Calculus Media respectively, have also helped filmmakers understand the financial realities of production. The Mighty Muse joined the third edition of Future Forward, supporting its programming and production. That experience strengthened the partnership and inspired the ambition to create more focused, commercially relevant industry events. As Amit explains, the challenge is frequently not a shortage of talented filmmakers or compelling stories, but limited access to the knowledge, relationships and financial structures needed to develop them. Industry Day is designed to address precisely those gaps.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SRI LANKAN FILMMAKERS
For Sri Lanka, the possibilities extend well beyond participating in a single London event. The emerging collaboration creates a potential framework through which Sri Lankan filmmakers, production companies and creative institutions could develop sustained relationships with international partners. Independent directors and producers could explore opportunities to submit projects to future industry programmes, participate in pitching forums and establish connections with potential co-producers and distributors. Sri Lankan production companies could also investigate international co-productions, production services and technical partnerships.
Equally, film schools, cultural organisations and industry associations could explore future collaborations involving professional training, masterclasses, screenings and filmmaker exchanges. There is also considerable potential for Sri Lankan businesses and private-sector organisations to support cinema through sponsorship, investment and partnerships that connect cultural development with commercial opportunity. Such engagement would require appropriate arrangements with the organisers, and participation in future programmes would depend on their announced criteria and selection processes. Nevertheless, the underlying opportunity is clear: Sri Lankan cinema can benefit from stronger relationships with the international professionals who help films move from development to production and distribution. The Sun (Daily Mirror), through its role as Sri Lankan Media Partner, is pleased to contribute to this important dialogue, helping highlight the achievements, aspirations and international potential of Sri Lankan creative talent.
BUILDING A LASTING INTERNATIONAL FILM ECOSYSTEM
The organisers are already considering what comes after the 16th of October. One ambition is to develop a dedicated South Asian-focused film market in 2027, offering filmmakers further opportunities to present projects and connect with prospective partners. Anita also hopes to establish a recurring series of targeted industry events designed specifically for South Asian and diaspora creative professionals. Such initiatives could provide a valuable structure for long-term collaboration, enabling filmmakers to build relationships rather than depend on occasional introductions. Amit similarly emphasises the importance of ensuring that industry gatherings produce meaningful outcomes. The objective is for filmmakers to leave with practical knowledge, relevant contacts and clearer next steps towards realising their projects. For Sri Lanka, this longer-term vision is particularly promising. A sustained international platform could encourage more Sri Lankan stories to be developed for global audiences, facilitate cross-border production partnerships and create opportunities for emerging filmmakers to gain recognition within a wider cinematic community. As South Asian cinema continues to expand its international influence, the challenge is to ensure that creative talent is matched by meaningful professional opportunity. The collaboration between UKAFF, Tongues on Fire and The Mighty Muse represents an important effort to bridge that divide. And for Sri Lankan filmmakers with powerful stories waiting to be told, it carries an encouraging message: the future of cinema need not be limited by geography.
From Colombo to London and beyond, the next great international film collaboration could begin with a Sri Lankan story.
Anita & Amit UKAFF Closing Night
Documentary Sessions Curated by The Mighty Muse
Future Forward Day 2026
