With a super mix of Punjabi, Pakistani, Sports and UK & World films, the DESIblitz Film Fusion festival was a sterling success that brought audiences and filmmakers together via their unique films.
The festival showcase featured Jinnah directed by Jamil Dehlavi which was a sell-out and a valued history lesson; India’s Daughter produced by Leslee Udwin which instigated great debate; The Journey Within - The ‘Coke Studio’ Origin Story directed by Mian Adnan Ahmad which took us behind the scenes of this iconic Pakistani music show; the rural societal film Siri The Plight of Indian Farm Workers which had Punjabi audiences totally connected and Cha the terrific animation made by Gagandeep Kalirai.
All of the films screened at the Odeon Luxe Birmingham Broadway Plaza and Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) contributed to 10 days of delightful and different films enjoyed by festival audiences.
Actors Shoib Nikash Shah, Namita Lal and Anushka Sen were special guests at the festival, joined by producer Leslee Udwin, directors Jamil Dehlavi, Tajinder Sindhra and Mian Adnan Ahmad who provided audiences with fascinating discussions and debates around filmmaking, culture, challenges and backstories about their projects.
