Eight South Asian Women Share Their Stories Then Take to the Catwalk in a Bold Fashion Showcase
The annual Fashion Brunch marks its 7th Anniversary with its most courageous and thought-provoking theme to date: Addiction, Recovery & Reclaiming Identity under the powerful campaign banner

“No Shame, Just Stories of Survival.”
Taking place at the Sheraton Skyline Heathrow on Sunday 8th March, this International Women’s Day edition will spotlight eight extraordinary South Asian women who have faced addiction in its many forms  and reclaimed their lives.
In a bold reimagining of the traditional fashion show, each speaker will not only share her story but also walk the runway in a “Fashion Showcase Redefined,” transforming the catwalk into a platform for storytelling, resilience and empowerment. The women will be dressed in couture designs by luxury designer Arinder Bhullar and Mona Lisa Sarees.
Eight Women. Eight Stories. One Message of Hope.

 
This year’s speakers include:
•⁠  ⁠Sejal Patel – A survivor of Class A drug addiction and domestic abuse who found her turning point through motherhood and is now rebuilding her life in sobriety.
•⁠  ⁠Jas Pone – Recently featured on Saving Mum on Channel 4, Jas shared her journey through grief and alcohol dependency. The documentary produced and directed by her daughter, author and filmmaker Maleena Pone and has ignited vital conversations within South Asian communities about maternal addiction, healing, and resilience.
•⁠  ⁠Nisha Chandra – Known as “The Cockney Copper,” the police detective and TEDx speaker overcame a 12-year battle with alcohol and is now eight years sober.
•⁠  ⁠Reena Chotai – After 37 years of alcohol and gambling addiction, she is now 6.5 years sober and challenging community taboos.
•⁠  ⁠Sonia Gupta – Speaking openly about emotional and financial dependency that left her £20,000 in debt — and how she rebuilt her life.
•⁠  ⁠Kim Kaur – A Sikh woman, domestic abuse survivor and former Class A drug user, now nearly 20 years drug-free and co-founder of SAFIR (South Asian Females in Recovery).
•⁠  ⁠Lakhami Bhambra – After losing her father, Lakhami fell victim to psychic scams and a cycle of “course addiction,” spending £30,000 chasing quick-fix solutions. Through reconnecting with her own healing, she now helps others avoid exploitative schemes and empowers them to heal authentically through energy work and intuitive wellness.
•⁠  ⁠Jag Kumar – A former “functional” alcoholic who chose sobriety at 39 to break generational trauma cycles for her daughter.
Fashion Showcase Redefined
More than a fashion event, The Fashion Brunch blends powerful panel discussions, live entertainment, Salon Privé catwalks, VIP shopping and high-level networking for 250–300 dynamic women across industries.
This year’s runway goes beyond aesthetics. It honours survival. It celebrates truth. It declares No Shame, Just Stories of Survival.
By placing addiction and recovery centre stage on International Women’s Day, The Fashion Brunch challenges cultural silence within South Asian communities and creates space for honest dialogue, healing and support.

Born in India and raised between her homeland and Twickenham, Lady Indiraa’s multicultural roots have shaped her unique perspective, fierce independence, and deep connection to community—a spirit that shines through in both her music and her everyday life.

When she isn’t dazzling audiences on stage, Lady Indiraa can be found on her vibrant farm, which doubles as a sanctuary for a wide family of rescued animals—from donkeys and horses to dogs, goats, and more. Every creature is cared for with love, warmth, and the kind of compassion only she can give.

A dedicated fitness powerhouse, she runs up to 10km a day on her treadmill and trains others in her personal gym. Her determination and discipline echo the empowering messages she brings to her music.

One of Lady Indiraa’s greatest—and most beloved—fortes is her extraordinary talent in the kitchen. Known for her bold flavours and generous hospitality, she regularly cooks for 20 or more people on the farm, turning mealtimes into an event of joy, laughter, and togetherness.

Christmas is legendary on the farm, every year, Lady Indiraa cooks for over 50 guests who drop in for her famously heartwarming Christmas dinners. Her farm becomes a hub of festive feasting, where neighbours, friends, musicians, and visitors gather to share great food, great music, and great company.

Her entire farm transforms into a glittering Christmas wonderland, wrapped in lights, colour, and holiday magic. Even the animals take part, donning safe, festive accessories and joining in the celebrations. It’s a place where the warmth of community meets the sparkle of the season.

Her new single, “Cheeky Christmas,” is as fun, flirty, and spirited as she is. With infectious club beats, playful lyrics, and a feel-good festive vibe, it’s the perfect soundtrack for anyone looking to bring a little mischief, sparkle, and joy to their holiday season.

From her unexpected late-life entry into music to her success on the club charts, Lady Indiraa has become a powerful symbol of self-belief, transformation, and unapologetic authenticity. With “Cheeky Christmas,” she continues her mission to uplift, entertain, and remind the world that joy should be embraced at every age and every stage.

“Cheeky Christmas” is available on all major streaming platforms now and also on YouTube

Play – The Remixes EP finds Ed Sheeran reimagining four tracks from his original Play album through dynamic collaborations with some of South Asia’s most celebrated talents, including Hanumankind, Dhee, Santhosh Narayanan, Karan Aujla, Jonita, and Arijit Singh. The EP’s vibrant soundscape is further shaped by producers ILYA, Johnny McDaid, Savan Kotecha, FRED, and Elvira Anderfjärd.

The project was born out of Sheeran’s transformative, month-long stay in India, where he immersed himself in the country’s rich musical landscape while recording Play. During this time, he discovered and connected with many of the EP’s collaborators through the artists he was working with – among them Arijit Singh, with whom Sheeran teamed up with on the half-a-billion-streaming global hit “Sapphire”.

Sheeran previously hinted at the EP during an interview with Nikita Kanda on BBC Asian Network. The resulting release is a vibrant fusion of global sounds and artistic exchange; a borderless celebration of global creativity that sees Ed Sheeran sharing spaces and voices in the spirit of collaboration.

Ed Sheeran says – “Making and finishing Play in India was such a fun experience. Being there over the last decade through touring, I’ve met lots of local artists along the way, and I’ve been introduced to all types of music and cultures. I’ve loved this collaboration process so much and I wanted to represent as much as I could on this EP, so here’s a little track-by-track rundown:

“Symmetry” featuring Karan Aujla

“Karan is culture, and I love the movement he’s making with Ikky at the moment. It’s been so cool watching the thing he’s built and becoming a part of that world and journey. He taught me the Punjabi parts on this song in the studio, and we got to shoot an amazing video for it. I feel like this is the beginning of our collaborative journey, and I’m so excited to create more.”

“Dont Look Down” featuring Hanumankind, Dhee & Santhosh Narayanan

“I loooove Hanumankind and got the opportunity to meet him at Coachella and catch his show. I was obsessed with the energy and feel of it all. We connected then and we have since been speaking about working together, then this idea came up. Santhosh is one of the greatest film composers and introduced me to Dhee who is such an amazing talent and voice. I wanted to represent South India on this EP and the beautiful Tamil language, and they have done such an amazing job in fusing it together.”

“Sapphire” featuring Arijit Singh

“Everyone already knows the story to this but going to Jiaganj Azimganj with my dad to create this with Arijit is one of my favourite memories in my musical career.”

“Heaven” featuring Jonita

“I met Jonita 2024 when I played in Mumbai and then got to do some shows with her the following year when I came back for tour. In short, I’m a fan. I love her voice, the tone, the softness. This was the perfect tune for us to do together and it’s also the first Hindi song I have released. It’s an honour to do it with her – what a talent.”

Upon its release, Play stormed to No.1 across the world, topping charts in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK.

1)      Symmetry (feat. Karan Aujla)

2)      Don’t Look Down (feat. Hanumankind, Dhee & Santhosh Narayanan) 

3)      Sapphire (feat. Arijit Singh)

Written by: Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Harjot Kaur, Shayra Apoorva, Rutvik Talashilkar and Jonita Gandhi

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For the first time LPFF is expanding beyond the capital, with selected screenings and events taking place in Liverpool, extending the festival’s reach to new audiences outside of London.

The festival opens on Friday, November 14th at the Barbican with the critically acclaimed The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. Acclaimed on the international festival circuit and winner of multiple awards, the film tells the harrowing final moments of six-year-old Hind Rajab during the Gaza bombardment. The screening will be followed by a conversation with cast members Amer Hlehel and Motaz Malhees.

LPFF 2025 concludes on Friday, November 28th with two special closing night events. At the ICA, a shorts programme will present a sonic and visual meditation on life in and beyond Gaza, exploring how war, memory and survival are etched into sound and silence. At Riverside Studios, audiences will experience All That’s Left of You, Jordan’s official submission to the Academy Awards®. Directed by Cherien Dabis, the film is a hauntingly intimate portrait of three generations of a Palestinian family shaped by exile, resistance and inherited memory.

Making its UK premiere at LPFF 2025, The Mission is one of the festival’s most urgent and unflinching documentaries. Directed by The Gaza Collective and Mike Lerner, the film follows acclaimed British-Iraqi surgeon Dr. Mohammed Tahir on his third humanitarian mission to Gaza. Filmed by members of his medical team, The Mission captures the raw intensity of Gaza’s operating rooms, where Dr. Tahir and his colleagues work tirelessly to save lives amid relentless bombardment. The result is a historic testament to human compassion and resilience in the face of unimaginable devastation. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Mohammed Tahir and director/producer Mike Lerner.

Between the opening and closing nights, LPFF 2025 presents a curated programme of internationally acclaimed works. Among the highlights is Palestine 36, Annemarie Jacir’s much-praised exploration of love, exile and memory, which has drawn admiration from audiences and artists worldwide, including Riz Ahmed who hailed it as an essential film. The programme also includes Once Upon a Time in Gaza, the latest work from the Tarzan Brothers, receiving its UK premiere at the festival, as well as new titles from celebrated filmmakers Yasmin Fedda, Sepideh Farsi and Kamal Aljafari. Collectively, these films showcase the diversity and creative strength of Palestinian cinema today, spanning documentary, fiction and experimental works that continue to resonate across borders.

Khaled Ziada, Founder and Director of London Palestine Film Festival, and Executive Producer of Together for Palestine said: “Founded in the late 90s, the annual two-week film festival continues to create spaces of discussion. Each edition spotlights stories of political realities as experienced by Palestinians, both at home and in the diaspora, through the creative lens of cinema. This year’s programme feels more urgent than ever, opening with the internationally acclaimed The Voice of Hind Rajab, a film that speaks to both the fragility and the resilience of Palestinian life.”

Full Programme of Events

Friday, November 14th at 8:30 PM – Barbican Cinema 1
Opening Night: The Voice of Hind Rajab (89 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Amer Hlehel and Motaz Malhees

Saturday, November 15th at 2:00 PM – The Garden Cinema
Yalla Parkour (87 min)
Followed by a self-guided collage workshop, curated by Gather with Anis

Saturday, November 15th at 6:20 PM – Curzon Soho
The Voice of Hind Rajab (89 min)

Sunday, November 16th at 1:00 PM – ICA, Screen 1
With Hasan in Gaza (106 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Kamal Aljafari

Sunday, November 16th at 5:40 PM – Curzon Soho
Palestine 36 (118 min)

Monday, November 17th at 6:45 PM – Genesis Cinema
The Palestine Exception (72 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Janice Haaken

Monday, November 17th at 7:00 PM – Liverpool (FACT)
A State of Passion (93 min)

Monday, November 17th at 8:45 PM – Barbican Cinema 1
Thank You for Banking With Us! (92 min)

Tuesday, November 18th at 6:20 PM – Bertha DocHouse
Song of All Ends (73 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Giovanni C. Lorusso

Tuesday, November 18th at 8:00 PM – Sands Films Cinema Club
The Tank and the Olive Tree (101 min)

Wednesday, November 19th at 6:45 PM – Genesis Cinema
SkatePal Double Bill: Epicly Palestine’d (26 min) and EXIST (40 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Theo Krish and Viktor Telegin

Thursday, November 20th at 8:45 PM – Barbican Cinema 1
UK Premiere: Once Upon A Time in Gaza (110 min)

Friday, November 21st at 8:00 PM – Riverside Studios, Screen 1
Once Upon a Time in Gaza (110 min)

Saturday, November 22nd at 2:00 PM – ICA, Screen 1
Ayouni (75 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Yasmin Fedda

Sunday, November 23rd at 5:40 PM – Curzon Soho
UK Premiere: The Mission (88 min)
Followed by a screen talk with Dr Mohammed Tahir and Mike Lerner

Monday, November 24th at 6:30 PM – Genesis Cinema
48 Resisting the big settlement (78 min) and Where the Wind Blows (18 min)

Monday, November 24th at 7:00 PM – Liverpool (FACT)
Shorts Session: Bearing Witness
Gaza Sound Man (43 min), The Clown of Gaza (62 min), Vibrations from Gaza (16 min)

Monday, November 24th at 8:00 PM – Riverside Studios, Screen 1
A State of Passion (93 min)

Tuesday, November 25th at 8:00 PM – Sands Film Cinema Club
Yallah Gaza (101 min)

Tuesday, November 25th at 8:45 PM – Barbican Cinema 1
Passing Dreams (79 min)

Wednesday, November 26th at 6:20 PM – Curzon Hoxton, Screen 1
Shorts Session: Fragments of Life
Born a Celebrity (13 min), Fin (5 min), Canary in a Coal Mine (20 min), What If They Bomb Here Tonight (16 min), Upshot (34 min)

Wednesday, November 26th at 8:45 PM – ICA, Screen 1
Put Your Soul on You Hand and Walk (113 min)

Thursday, November 27th at 6:20 PM – Curzon Hoxton, Screen 1
The Jacket (71 min) and The Clown of Gaza (60 min)

Friday, November 28th at 6:30 PM – ICA, Screen 1
Closing night: Shorts Session: Bearing Witness
Gaza Sound Man (42 min), Vibrations from Gaza (16 min), Sounds of Gaza (6 min), The Diary of a Sky (45 min)

Friday, November 28th at 8:00 PM – Riverside, Screen 1
Closing night: All That’s Left of You (150 min)

For the full 2025 programme and more details: www.palestinefilm.org.uk
Instagram: @lpffofficial

This Autumn, audiences can enjoy groundbreaking gaming events,  the return of the much-loved Too Desi Too Queer and programmes of classic and new films :

South Asian Game Zone – Liverpool (FORMAT)
Europe’s biggest games industry nightlife event, FORMAT, returns for a special Halloween takeover of Liverpool. The South Asian Game Zone will once again take centre stage at Camp and Furnace on Thursday, 30th October (6 PM – 2 AM).

This pioneering showcase will feature cutting-edge titles from South Asian and Indian game developers, many being exhibited in the UK for the very first time. Gaming fans will have the exclusive chance to play premium titles never seen outside of India, in a vibrant festival atmosphere that combines gaming with music, community, and nightlife.

Please note: This is a 16+ event.

Young People’s Gaming Event, Bolton Library
For families and younger gamers, we’re bringing an immersive South Asian gaming showcase to Bolton High Street Library on Saturday, 27th September (12 PM – 3:30 PM).

Expect combat, arcade, and adventure titles inspired by South Asian cities and histories, alongside a special gaming tournament with prizes for top players. With interactive activities for children and families, this event is designed to be fun for all ages – making gaming accessible to everyone.

Too Desi Too Queer
A much-loved and long-running strand of the London Indian Film Festival, Too Desi Too Queer returns this Autumn with screenings across the country, including its premiere screening at Home, Manchester on 26th October (3.30 PM start) with special guest the celebrated Northern drag performer Lucky Roy Singh. The programme is curated in partnership with Rainbow Noir Manchester, Bradford Queer Film Festival and G.I.N. (Gay Indian Network).

This dynamic and thought-provoking showcase brings together highlights from past festivals – a selection of shorts exploring the lives, experiences and well-being of South Asian LGBTQIA+ communities in the Subcontinent and diaspora with talks about the films and community well-being.

Audiences across the UK will be able to experience this collection online on BFI Player, breaking down barriers and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Breaking New Ground
The addition of gaming and LGBTQIA+ programming to LIFF and MIFF’s Autumn schedule builds on the festivals’ reputation for curating the very best of South Asian creativity across film, culture, and now interactive entertainment.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Festival Director, said:

“We’re thrilled to expand into new areas of storytelling, from the world of gaming to our ongoing commitment to LGBTQIA+ representation. These events celebrate the diversity, creativity, and resilience of South Asian communities – from family-friendly fun in Bolton to late-night gaming in Liverpool, and from cinematic classics to bold queer voices.”

The Autumn programme also includes:

●       Screenings at Lumiere Romford, including classic Indian Horror and British Asian films (6-9 November)

●       Classic showcases at Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre, including Satyajit Ray’s award-winning Mahanagar
(12 November in partnership with Sampad)

●       Facebook Live global discussion on Peter Brook’s much-loved epic The Mahabharata (18th October, in partnership with Baithak UK)

For more details and the full programme, visit: London Indian Film Festival

Event Details at a Glance:

●       Young People’s Gaming Event – Bolton Library, Sat 27 Sept, 12 PM – 3:30 PM (Family Friendly)

●       South Asian Game Zone (FORMAT) – Liverpool, Thu 30 Oct, 6 PM – 2 AM, Camp and Furnace (16+)

●       Too Desi Too Queer – in Cinemas and Online showcase available nationwide, 26 October onwards.

On Sunday, 12th October, join us for a twist on a classic as C4G presents a table read of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, adapted for the stage.

Taking place at Troxy, East London’s premier art deco venue, and performed by a brilliant cast of old and new faces, the night aims to raise urgent funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

This one-off theatrical event is curated by Cinema for Gaza, an inclusive fundraising effort founded by a group of film professionals who, through voluntary efforts, have raised £269,206 for MAP since launching with an auction in April 2024.

The live table-read brings together such luminous talents as Ambika Mod, Daisy Ridley, Jameela Jamil, Jenna Coleman, Morfydd Clark, Nish Kumar, Susan Wokoma, Mawaan Rizwan, Priya Kansara, Amar Chadha-Patel, Jeff Mirza, Shazia Mirza, Asim Chaudhry, Himesh Patel, Bilal Hasna, Aiysha Hart & Meera Syal, for a fun and imaginative tribute to Austen’s enduring tale, helmed by director Nida Manzoor.

It is the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth as we lift the curtain on a single man with a large fortune in want of a wife. Roll up to witness the unsuspecting Mr. Bingley going toe-to-toe with the Bennett family, as Mr Darcy puts his foot in his mouth every time he encounters the vexing, intriguing Elizabeth Bennett. Enjoy withering wit, some top-notch repressed flirting, and hard-won happy endings.

Cinema for Gaza is made up of pro-bono volunteers. Every penny raised on the night will go directly to MAP’s* lifesaving work, including their polyclinic in Gaza, which is continuing to operate despite Israel’s bombardment, siege, and forced displacement orders. The clinic has been supporting hundreds of patients a day, providing vital healthcare such as psychosocial support, physiotherapy, and medication for chronic conditions.

The gripping short film Don’t Be Late, Myra has officially qualified for the 98th Academy Awards®, marking a milestone in Afia Nathaniel’s return to telling stories from Pakistan after her acclaimed debut feature Dukhtar (Daughter).

Set against the bustling streets of Lahore, the film follows 10-year-old Myra (Innayah Umer), who, after missing her school van, is forced to walk home alone. Navigating harassment and menace on her way, Myra faces a quiet but escalating danger that exposes the vulnerabilities children endure in public spaces. With its urgent pacing and raw emotional undercurrent, Don’t Be Late, Myra is both a survival thriller and an unflinching commentary on the silence surrounding child harassment in Pakistan and beyond.

Deeply personal in its origins, the film draws on Nathaniel’s own childhood experiences and her perspective as a survivor of assault. By transforming trauma into urgent art, she brings visibility to an issue often silenced by patriarchy, sparking essential conversations about children’s safety and the cultural taboos that endanger them.

Since its world premiere, Don’t Be Late, Myra has gained significant recognition across the international festival circuit. The film has been awarded Best Film at the Bergen International Film Festival of NJ, Best Short Film at the Montreal International Film Festival, and the Best Long Short – Tongues on Fire Flame Award at the UK Asian Film Festival, among others. It also earned the Audience Award for Best International Short Film at the WOW Wales One World Film Festival, underscoring the film’s ability to resonate with both juries and audiences worldwide. With additional wins including honors at the Big Apple Film Festival, California Women’s Film Festival, and DC Independent Film Festival, Nathaniel’s work continues to be celebrated for its bold vision and powerful storytelling.

Shot on location in Lahore with a local cast and crew, the film’s authenticity heightens its emotional impact, grounding its urgency in real spaces and lived experience.

Pakistani-American filmmaker Afia Nathaniel has established herself as a bold and uncompromising storyteller. Her debut feature Dukhtar (Toronto, 2014) became Pakistan’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards® and was screened across 20 countries to widespread critical acclaim. She later directed an episode of Chicago Med (NBCU Female Forward), becoming the first Pakistani-American female director hired by a US network studio for a one-hour drama.

With Don’t Be Late, Myra, Nathaniel continues her mission of crafting deeply resonant, socially urgent films that fuse personal storytelling with larger cultural critique. Its entry into the 98th Academy Awards® race highlights not only the resilience of a filmmaker transforming silence into action, but also the power of cinema to confront taboos and inspire change.

• Greater Manchester-set romantic comedy-drama Film Club, co-created by and starring Aimee Lou Wood and Ralph Davis, which was filmed in the city

• Recently launched thriller The Guest starring Eve Myles and Gabrielle Creevy, filmed in South Wales and set in Cardiff, available now on BBC iPlayer

• Sally Wainwright’s Riot Women, set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

• Wild Cherry, by BAFTA-winner Nicôle Lecky, set and filmed in the Home Counties

• Small Prophets, a new comedy created and written by Mackenzie Crook, which is set in and filmed around Manchester

• Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles from locations across the UK

• Titanic Sinks Tonight, a new four part documentary with dramatisations, filmed in Belfast

• Leonard and Hungry Paul, set in Ireland, will be narrated by actress Julia Roberts, starring Northern Ireland’s Jamie-Lee O’Donnell

• Farm 999, a 15-part daytime series presented by Steph McGovern, filmed in farms across the UK

• Norfolk’s How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge)

• A Christmas special of Glasgow’s Two Doors Down

• Specials of Mrs Brown’s Boys, which is set in Dublin

• Second series of Mammoth, the comedy which is shot in Cardiff

• Second series of Daddy Issues, which is made in Stockport, where it’s set

• Third series of Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams, featuring Bootle in Liverpool, Blackpool and Manchester, available now on iPlayer

• Third series of Highland Cops, covering the work of the UK’s biggest beat

• Series 10 of the drama Shetland

• Third series of Blue Lights, set and filmed in Belfast

• Second series of Stacey & Joe, from Pickle Cottage in Essex

• Hope Street returns with series five and reaches a milestone – its 50th episode, filmed in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland

• Strictly Come Dancing will make its annual and much-anticipated return to Blackpool in November