UK Film Conclave 2025, Featuring Gurinder Chadha, Unveils Film Programme

UK Film Conclave 2025, working towards strengthening global cinema ties between UK and India, has unveiled the exciting programme ahead of its return to London on Monday 26th May 2025. Held at the Skyline Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotels, the one-day event forms part of India Week by EPG, a broader initiative spotlighting cross-cultural collaboration and economic engagement between Great Britain and India.

The day begins with opening remarks from Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG, setting the stage for a dynamic series of panels, keynote sessions and curated networking opportunities. With an emphasis on filmas a cultural and commercial bridge, this year’s conclave focuses on how global partnerships can
be fostered through storytelling, policy support and strategic investment.

The first panel discussion, India–UK Co-Production Success Stories & The Path Ahead, delves into lessons from existing collaborations and the evolving future of international co-productions.Moderated by acclaimed TV producer Riffi Khan (Come Dine With Me, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!), the panel features a distinguished lineup. Shruti Rajkumar (Invest India, architect of India’s global filming incentives), Anupam Sharma (Australia India Film Council), Neeraj Churi (Lotus Visual Productions, producer of the Sundance-winning Cactus Pears) and Neil Biswas (award-winning writer/director – Bradford Riots, Darkness Visible).

Following scheduled meetings for filmmakers and investors, delegates will reconvene for an In Conversation with Gurinder Chadha OBE (Bend It Like Beckham), hosted by Duncan Carson from the Independent Cinema Office (ICO). The session promises a candid discussion about representation, creative risk-taking and Chadha’s lasting influence on diasporic cinema.

The final panel of the day, Increasing Audience Access and Distribution, investigates audience dynamics across the two regions. With Indian films accounting for nearly a third of UK cinema releases in 2022 but only 1.8% of box office revenue, the panel will question how language, themes and market familiarity can become either obstacles or opportunities. It will explore the barriers preventing films from reaching wider audiences, the role of streaming platforms, and the potential for broader cross cultural engagement. Moderated by filmmaker and educator Reshel Shah-Kapoor (God Children), the discussion includes cinema business luminaries. Agnieszka Moody (Head of International Relations, British Film Institute – BFI), Pranab Kapadia (founder of Moviegoers Entertainment and BAFTA member) and Bhavna Mistry (former VP of Eros International).

“The world is eager for authentic, diverse and untold stories from India,” says Pratik Dattani, Managing Director of EPG. “Through The Film Conclave, we are not just celebrating Indian cinema; we are providing financial and strategic support to bring these powerful narratives to a global audience.”

Aman Dhillon adds: “ReelN is proud to be a partner of Film Conclave and excited to curate the programme for its second year! The film co-production market
launched this year will bridge a gap and provide a much-needed platform for film financing discussions.”

A highlight of the evening will be a Q&A between entertainment journalist Anuj Radia of Filme Shilmy and Bollywood’s top casting director Mukesh Chhabra, whose credits span Gangs of Wasseypur, Dangal, Scam 1992, Dil Bechara and Black Warrant. The conversation will explore Chhabra’s role in shaping Indian cinema’s new wave and the evolution of casting as a craft.

This year’s curated slate features over 17 projects, spanning a dynamic mix of documentaries and narrative features across various stages of development and a wide spectrum of budgets. The initiative champions bold, original storytelling from across borders—spotlighting filmmakers from India, the UK, the US, Canada and Cannes.

The full list of selected works is:

I’m Not An Actor by Aditya Kripalani, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitrangada Satarupa

Avi & Sami (working title) by Nandita Das

The Letter by Prataya Saha

There Is Gold in Llhasa by Surbhi Dewan

The Doctor & His Daughter by Rashel Shah-Kapoor

Ocean of Dreams by Nikhil Pherwani

Harbir by Angad Bawa

Marne Ke Dar Se Mere Dil by Mahesh Tripathi, starring Hiten Tejwani

Sense & Serendipity by Indrani Ray

Love and Other Emergent Phenomena by Arpita Ashok

Crimson Red by Cunal Ranjan

The Indian Titanic by Emilie Solanki

Parade Of Ghosts by Ishan Bhattacharjee

Indian Muscle – The Joe Solomon Story by Neeraj Churi

The Vampire of Sheung Shui by Shreyom Ghosh

The Same Moon That Shone That Night by Raaghav Preetha

Bandra Sunshine by Ramamurthy Subramanian

Oxford Revisited by Zak Mir

Later, the Evening Drinks Reception will welcome over 200 guests from across the screen, music, and arts industries. Confirmed attendees include Sidharth Jain (Trial By Fire), Rishi Rich (Gully Boy) and actors Kulvinder Ghir (Picture This), Shobu Kapoor (Polite Society), Taha Shah Badussha (Heeramandi) and Purab Kohli (The Matrix Resurrections).

Event Details:
Date: 26th May 2025
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM (Main Programme)
Networking Drinks: 6 PM Onwards Venue: Skyline, Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotels, London

For more information:Film Conclave