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ABCC Updates and useful information from the largest ethnic support organisation in the UK Contact: Anjum Khan T: 0845 6036650
Showing soon: A theatrical poster for The Beatles and India
Film festival offers ray of hope The hugely popular UK Asian Film Festival will be hosted by Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, in association with Phizzical. The world’s longest running South Asian film festival outside India features screenings at the Belgrade from 27 to 29 May. Now in its 23rd year, the festival is produced by Tongues on Fire and historically showcases South Asian feminist films and the work of pioneering female artists and auteurs. At a time of global unrest and displacement, the curation of this year’s festival is inspired by the theme ‘Ray of Hope’. Alongside films, the festival will be hosting series of online workshops for Coventry-based film enthusiasts. Screenings will open at the Belgrade with the world premiere of ‘Toofan Mail’ on 27 May. Based on a true story, a woman lands at the New Delhi railway station claiming that she’s the Queen of Awadh.
After asking to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, she demands for her ancestral palace and wealth to be restored. With her head held high, she is the living answer to the question ‘How do you become a Queen?’ The award-winning film Zindagi Tamasha will be screened on 28 May. The film has been caught up in a blasphemy controversy, with its theatrical release in Pakistan suspended.
‘Cinema has been a ray of hope for all of us during this pandemic’ Despite the banned status in its country of origin, Zindagi Tamasha still went onto become Pakistan’s official entry for selection for the ‘Best International Feature’ category at this year's Academy Awards. Other films to be screened at the Belgrade
are ‘Khape’ and ‘Fire of Teak’, ‘Flame of Chinar’. Screenings will close at the Belgrade with the world premiere of ‘The Beatles and India’ on 29 May. The documentary chronicles the enduring love affair between The Beatles and India, featuring rare archival footage, photographs and eye-witness accounts. UK Asian Film Festival creative director and senior producer at the Belgrade, Samir Bhamra, said: “Cinema has been a ray of hope for all of us during this pandemic. Its power to entertain, provide escapism and boost our wellbeing has held us all together during this pandemic. “And just as characters in films go on a journey of growth, UKAFF has expanded to Coventry this year. Working in partnership with Belgrade Theatre, we are delighted to be one of the key headline events during the UK City of Culture to celebrate the best of South Asian culture, positivity and creativity.”
Competition to win sleeve sponsorship Warwickshire County Cricket Club (CCC) is offering businesses the chance to win the rights to have their brand feature on the sleeve of Royal London Cup shirts for the 2022 season. The Royal London Cup is a 50 overs competition which was introduced in 2014. Following the launch of its Bears Club, a membership offering designed to bring together
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members of the business community across the West Midlands, Warwickshire is now offering the sponsorship opportunity, worth £8,000 in media value, to one of the first 20 businesses to sign up to its Bears Club gold package. The Bears Club gold package is the highest level of membership and will give businesses access to events, the opportunity to hire three
meeting rooms at Edgbaston for free across the year, 15 per cent discount on hospitality as well as extensive access to Warwickshire memberships and Bears T20 season passes. To be in with a chance winning this prize, please contact Scott Elstone on scottelstone@edgbaston.com
