South Asian Cinema at BAFTA Awards: Geeta Gandbhir & Rising Representation

London played host to a burgeoning celebration of South Asian cinema this weekend, coinciding with the BAFTA Film Awards. A new industry gathering in the city spotlighted the growing influence of South Asian creatives and the increasing international recognition of their work.

The event, held at BAFTA headquarters, was co-hosted by Society O – a British cultural platform focused on amplifying Asian voices in theatre, film, and television – and U.S.-based Product of Culture, a strategy and distribution company. It convened nominees, filmmakers, executives, and industry leaders, creating a dedicated space for connection and celebration during awards season.

Double Oscar nominee Geeta Gandbhir used the gathering as a platform to address the current global climate, expressing concern over what she described as an “incredibly alarming and dangerous time,” particularly in the United States. “The person who gave me my first opportunity to film was the great Spike Lee – it was the Black community in the U.S. That actually opened the door for me, and I stand on their shoulders,” Gandbhir told attendees. She emphasized the importance of solidarity, stating, “We fight this fight, but what happens in the U.S. Has a ripple effect around the world. We speak up for ourselves, we are here for us – but you must be there for others in this time. Together we are strong.”

Gandbhir’s presence at the event is particularly noteworthy given her dual BAFTA and Oscar nominations this year. Her documentary, “The Perfect Neighbor,” is in contention for Best Documentary Feature at both awards ceremonies. She is also nominated for Best Documentary Short Film for “The Devil Is Busy,” a co-direction with Christalyn Hampton. Gandbhir’s previous accolades include two Primetime Emmy Awards for her editing work.

The celebration wasn’t solely focused on Gandbhir’s achievements. Luís Hindman, director of the British Short Film nominee “Magid/Zafar,” offered a poignant reflection on the significance of the BAFTA recognition for a specifically British Asian film. “When the work is a highly specific, unapologetically British Asian film, you don’t expect the recognition, you don’t feel entitled to it, and you can’t see any evidence of it,” Hindman said. “For that evidence to be seen, and for it to be our own film, is incredibly humbling. Come Sunday, we will be taking this film into a space which is not South Asian dominated – and whilst we’re happy to be invited in to take our pick axes to the glass ceiling, I can’t overstate the importance of beginning this weekend here with all of you.”

Rahul Sharda, assistant director of “Boong” – nominated in the Children’s & Family Film category and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi – highlighted the growing international interest in Indian regional cinema. “India has such diverse cultural perspectives to offer, and it’s wonderful that regional storytelling can emerge and be celebrated internationally at BAFTA,” Sharda noted.

The event also provided a nostalgic reunion for the cast of “Goodness Gracious Me,” the groundbreaking BBC sketch comedy series that aired from 1998 to 2001, with subsequent specials in 2014 and 2015. Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal (a BAFTA Fellowship recipient), Kulvinder Ghir, and Nina Wadia – all stars of the show – were together for the first time in a decade. Other attendees included Aziz Ansari, Adil El Arbi, Daniel Francis, Adeel Akhtar, Varada Sethu, Alan McAlex, Sufiyaan Salam, Richie Mehta, and Gurinder Chadha.

Society O was founded by filmmakers Sukki Menon (“I See Her”) and Parvinder Shergill (“Kaur”). Product of Culture, a women-of-color founded company led by Archana Misra Jain and Monika Sharma Abbas, has a track record of partnering with major industry players like Netflix, Universal Studios, Sony, HBO, and Meta. They have previously organized events such as the South Asian Women Oscars Brunch and the South Asian Film Festival of America.

Menon and Shergill, alongside Misra Jain and Sharma Abbas, emphasized the significance of this year’s nominations. “This year’s nominations highlight the breadth and impact of South Asian creatives across the industry – from internationally distributed documentaries and award-winning British shorts to groundbreaking regional cinema reaching new audiences worldwide,” they stated. “By bringing together nominees, collaborators and industry leaders, we aim to create a meaningful space that celebrates artistic excellence while strengthening the connections shaping the future of the screen industries.”

The gathering signals a growing momentum for South Asian representation within the global film and television landscape, and a concerted effort to foster a more inclusive and connected industry.