The 12th annual Asian film festival – Tongues on Fire – will host its launch this week.

It will close with the premiere of acclaimed director Sangeeta Datta’s Life Goes On. But the festival opens on 5th with an awards ceremony and lasts until 14th March.

The annual event, which initially just focused on women filmmakers, has now broadened its horizons. This year it will also host an interview with renowned director Shyam Benegal and showcase his latest film Well Done Abba.

The former Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan, wife of Amitabh Bachchan, will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Indian cinema at the launch.

Organisers say the event will also feature appearances from British-Asian directors and celebrities include Rizwan Ahmed, Shazia Mirza, Hardeep Kohli and Sarmed Mirza, the Glasgow-based film producer nominated for a Scottish Bafta for his debut film An Act of Terror.

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