New British Asian Shorts, plus Q&A, Birmingham Indian Film Festival (BIFF) 2025, mac Cinema Birmingham, July 18th, 2025, 4☆☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.

New British Asian Shorts, plus Q&A, Birmingham Indian Film Festival (BIFF) 2025, mac Cinema Birmingham, July 18th, 2025,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: Dan Auluk.

“A diverse, entertaining and thought-provoking series of short films.”

Currently, I am re-writing my first series of short films, and I know how much effort (and luck) it can take to bring a short film to life but seeing these short films and from listening to the thoughts of some of the film crew, in the Q&A (chaired by our very own Birmingham based Filmmaker, Surjit Simplay (Gypsy Boy (2017)); I have a renewed positive energy to continue with. Certainly, it takes dedication and can-do approach and a less is more approach. When one door closes others will open – so we are told by the speakers – I agree!

What we have is a selection of short films billed as “exciting and emerging filmmakers from the UK” is certainly true. This is just a diverse slice of what is happening out there in South Asian cinema today. Let’s hope some of these short films can be upscaled to feature films – certainly there are some worthy contenders.

Curatorially, the collection of films has a clear thread; the perspectives from the lives of South Asian women, covering topics such as identity, grief, gender, family life, cultural expectations, climate change, bereavement, social-documentary and queer life.

We certainly need to make sure the gender balance of credit and opportunity in the film industry needs to change. We need to make sure, ethically, we make film projects which are handled with care and made by the people who the stories are about. Let’s hope next year we can get a UK launch at BIFF, of one the filmmakers below. How about we only focus on the depth of diversity of women voices and provide opportunities for all women?! To be fair this year there is a stronger focus on women at the festival which aligns with mac Birmingham Sari Summer Season; with contributions from Sampad for raising critical issues and celebration too (so a big shout out to Deborah Robinson and Piali Ray OBE). And a huge shout out to the delightful and dedicated Dhamesh Rajput, Director of BIFF for bringing this short run of films together. We are told there is still more to come – we have the film Womb (2021) at mac cinema and an outdoor screening of Devdas (2002) and don’t forget Sampad’s special performance just before the start of Devdas.

See some thoughts below on the short films.

Where we came from (2024)

Dir: Nick Virk | 15 mins | English

A British Asian UK Conservative government minister’s internalised racism rises to the surface as she defends racist fascist policies as British values. Has she forgotten her heritage in exchange for power?

I was impressed by the focused editing of this socio-political film, an almost suffocating intensity of betrayal. Both thought provoking and troubling. I would like to see an unpacked feature version of this film to see the story arc of the main character.

The Visit (2024)

Dir: Parmjit Gill | 11 mins | English

A mysterious woman watches a mother and her young daughter’s easy companionship, but there’s something out of time and place about her presence.

This cyclical type of narrative comes full circle and questions how we let go and process grief. It is both haunting, evocative and captured elements of South Asian life, especially the Kelsi (spinach cutter). I found this short film to be a moving experience. Requires a second watch to unravel!

Pink or Blue (2025)

Dir: Shezah Salam | 9 mins | English

A surprise gender reveal party, brings tensions between three sisters as pregnant Manps is determined to break the family’s infamous ‘Aujla Curse of the Girls.’

This is a fun and light-hearted film which perhaps questions the more troubling aspects of pressure of binary genders and how we can conform to these cultural norms. I also like how the three main characters connected with each other and had their own distinct authentic driven character selves.

In The wake of remembering (2025)

Dir: Sara Saini | 19 mins | English, Punjabi

Three women reflect on their memories of supporting the Burnsall Strike, a 1992 workers’ resistance movement in Birmingham that was led by Punjabi women.

A powerful reminder of how defiance and battle for respect can be won. Challenging gender pay-gaps and working conditions. A short documentary capturing brief moments of defiance, diversity and creativity, with Punjabi women looking back on a significant time in their life.

Bunnyhood (2024)

Dir: Mansi Maheshwari | 10 mins | English

Mum would never lie to me, would she? Innocent Bobby discovers the answer to this question when she is surprised by a last-minute trip to the hospital.

This was a fun and mesmerising animation. Cannot imagine how long this took to make but clearly a project of hard work and pleasure. The animation questions the secrets and lies families have. Definitely a creator who is one to watch for the future!

There will come soft rain (2025)

Dir: Elham Ehsas | 15 mins | English, Urdu

Haunted by rising sea levels, a daughter digs up her father’s grave to move his body to higher ground.

This was a thought-provoking film on the potential effects of climate change, and the displacement of grief. How do we manage our places of rest for the future. It’s also a film about how we process grief; and the conflict between two sisters. Sometimes the glue that holds us pulls us apart. I was particularly moved by the father character (played by Arjun Singh Panam ) – this actor is clearly talented and has acting depth, a sublime performance. Looking forward to watching them in the film Cosmos (2019). Loved the chemistry between the two main characters, especially the gritty and intense and talented performance of Olivia D’Lima. I also loved how the film leaves you with hope and utilises the classic Thelma and Louise defiance! We most definitely need to see how this story ends!

MidRiff (2025)

Dir: Neeraja Raj | 7 mins | English

A surreal comedy set in London, where a romantic make-out sesh is rudely interrupted by an unexpected musical guest… from within.

A fun rom com, of sorts, with a twist. This was delightful and shows inter-racial love as a matter of fact. Fun, light and slightly bizarre! Bravo!

Before I do (2024)

Dir: Gitika Butto | 11 mins | English

On the morning of her wedding day, Mona, a British Indian woman, questions her rushed marriage and reflects on a period of self-discovery from her past.

A fresh, contemporary film looking at the types of relationship we can have and the choices we can make away from family pressures and expectations and breaking through the barriers of desire. The self-discovery of other types of relationships that are non-monogamous and the ownership of our own bodies. Although the ending becomes clear through dialogue of the mother, nonetheless, these are the sort of films that will take us away from the usual tropes of how we are seen by others and challenge mainstream audiences – we are more than just arranged or love marriages!

It was delightful to listen to the writer (Afsha(n) D’souza-Lodhi) in the Q&A. We need more conversations around our choices and not having to conform. Looking forward to what the next screenplay will be; but do checkout their website, as this is certainly a creative writer worth reading; from spoken word, poetry, stage and screenwriting.