The London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) has unveiled the programme for its 2026 edition, with Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi's set to open the festival at BFI Southbank on 9 July.
The film follows a football-obsessed young man from Kerala who travels to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar hoping to meet his childhood idol, Argentina captain Lionel Messi. Starring Neha Dhupia, Adil Hussain and Yadav Shashidhar, 52 Blue will receive its UK premiere as the festival's opening-night presentation.
Among the headline events of LIFF's 17th edition is a special in-conversation session with actor and producer, Aamir Khan, who will reflect on his career and discuss the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. The festival will also host a reunion of the cast of the influential BBC comedy series Goodness Gracious Me, celebrating the show's lasting impact on British Asian representation, alongside an industry-focused discussion exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping filmmaking and screen storytelling.
Running from 9–16 July in London and 10–19 July in Birmingham and Manchester, the festival will present contemporary cinema from India, South Asia and the diaspora through a programme of features, documentaries, short films and special events.
Among the feature titles selected this year are, Master, Lagaan, Give It a Shot, A Mosquito in the Ear, Aamol – Lovingly Ours and 52 Blue.
The New Brit Asian Shorts Programme will showcase emerging UK-based filmmakers through six films exploring identity, family, colonial memory, work culture and social pressures. The line-up includes Party Animal, Leave Me Alone, Sweaty Hands, Salt, Good Behaviour and Tell Your Face.
LIFF's annual Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition returns with twelve films from across South Asia and beyond, including Moti, Abracadabra, 11:11, Permanent Guest, Barber of the Gods, Kuchar (The Itch), This Tree Won't Fall, Tuktuki, First Bite, O'Sey Balamma, Kanti and Delivery. The selected works explore themes ranging from childhood and family relationships to migration, faith and social change.
The festival's Too Desi Too Queer strand will present a selection of LGBTQIA+ short films examining identity, desire, belonging and mental wellbeing within South Asian communities. The programme includes Warm Shadows, Ruse, A Thing About Kashmiri, Body of Our Own, Tara and Aam Ka Achar (Cupboard Pickle), accompanied by discussions with filmmakers and community partners.
Founded in 2010, LIFF has become one of Europe's leading showcases for Indian and South Asian independent cinema, regularly introducing audiences to emerging filmmakers and new voices from across the region. The 2026 edition continues that mission with a programme that combines major premieres, established talent, industry conversations and diverse stories from across South Asia and its global diaspora.
