"The festival brings them an incredible breadth of stories."
The 2025 BFI London Film Festival (LLF) marks a significant event in arts and entertainment.
Filled with vibrant stories, portrayed on celluloid in unforgettable ways, the festival is set to be a rich showcase of authentic filmmaking.
During October 2025, the LLF will screen a range of exciting titles, with essential South Asian voices echoing at their hearts.
The South Asian community includes people from Indian, Sri Lankan, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi backgrounds.
These voices are iconic, and that reflects in their work.
DESIblitz proudly presents four South Asian films to watch at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival.
Sholay
Director: Ramesh Sippy
Stars: Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Amjad Khan
Screening Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025 – 11:30 am
Venue: BFI IMAX
Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay is an iconic masterpiece of Bollywood.
The film narrates the saga of Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar), who seeks revenge from the ruthless dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan).
Thakur enlists the help of the criminals Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jai (Amitabh Bachchan).
Sholay melds romance, action, emotion, and music to create an enduring tale of courage, love, and friendship.
Each character, right from the main players to the supporting cast, remains embedded in the psyches of Bollywood fans.
2025 marked the 50th year of the film’s release, making it an apt choice for the BFI London Film Festival.
Hotel London
Director: Ahmed Alauddin Jamal
Stars: Adrian McLoughlin, Jonathan Pryce, Aftab Sachak, Alpana Sengupta
Screening Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 6:10 pm
Venue: Institute of Contemporary Arts
Hotel London is the story of a Bangladeshi family forced to confront the realities of unstable housing in London.
The film was shot in a real-life bed-and-breakfast and the script also incorporated painstaking research.
This research, which was derived from people experiencing homeless, adds authenticity and depth to Hotel London.
Although the film was originally released in 1987, its urgent message, character-driven narrative, and resonant politics, make it an everlasting tale, sure to move newer viewers.
Housing remains an issue that plagues the UK. This spellbinding film will reflect that, while giving the audience an amazing experience.
Ish
Director: Imran Perretta
Stars: Farhan Hasnat, Yahya Kitana, Avin Shah
Screening Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 – 8:45 pm & Thursday, October 16, 2025 – 2:15 pm
Venue: Vue West End & BFI Southbank NFT2
Imran Perretta’s brilliant film is undeniably an asset to the BFI London Film Festival 2025.
Ish follows two best friends, Ish (Farhan Hasnat) and Maram (Yahya Kitana).
The two 12-year-olds must give it their all to save their friendship after a devastating stop-and-search by the police.
This coming-of-age drama has themes of racial profiling, undying bonds, and the painful act of letting go.
It is a tragic yet important reflection of the trauma young people can endure.
The Girls
Director: Sumitra Peries
Stars: Vasanthi Chathurani, Jenita Samaraweera, Ajith Jinadasa
Screening Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025 & Sunday, October 19, 2025
Venue: BFI Southbank NFT1 & BFI Southbank NFT3
This film is a delicate canvas of sisterhood and dreams.
In her directorial debut, Sumitra Peries pays tribute to rural Sri Lanka as class barriers reduce the dreams of two sisters to ash.
Kusum Liyanage’s (Vasanthi Chathurani) life is shattered when she falls in love with the upper-class Nimal (Ajith Jinadasa).
The differences in class force Kusum to sever all ties with Nimal.
Meanwhile, her sister Soma (Jenita Samaraweera) finds herself pregnant with an illegimate child.
This poetic tale of innocence, romance, and patriarchy combines to create a magnificent film in the form of The Girls.
The BFI London Film Festival is adorned with a blend of classics and contemporary stories.
In each film, the audience will find something relatable and organic.
Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Festivals Director said:
“This autumn, we invite audiences to craft their own festival journey across our programme of premiere screenings, dynamic interactive exhibitions and compelling talks programmes with some of cinemas leading practitioners.
“We look forward to you joining us this year to experience the incredible state of the medium in 2025 – brimming with formal innovations, provocations and essential roadmaps for navigating the world around us.”
Ben Roberts, Chief Executive, BFI, added:
“Audiences are at the heart of the LFF and the festival brings them an incredible breadth of stories from some of the most talented and creative filmmakers from the UK and across the world.
“[A] huge thanks to our Festival team for presenting a brilliant programme, American Express for its 16 years of headline partnership and all our other partners and supporters.”
The festival takes place from October 8 to 19, 2025 in London and around the UK.
You can find out more information here.
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