Date announced for second AJK Film Festival

The second instalment of the award-winning AJK Film Festival will take place on Saturday 15 July at the Reel Cinema, Rochdale.

The inaugural festival in 2022 was a tremendous success, which also caught the attention of A-list Pahari and Pothohari stars Shahzada Ghafar and Shahnaz Khan, alongside rising Kashmiri social media star, Sonia Khan, known as ‘Sunshine’.

This year, organiser Kashmiri Productions UK promises an even bigger night featuring Kashmiri culture, drama, stars, language and entertainment on the cinema screen.

Zafar Iqbal, festival creator and director, said: “This festival is tailor-made to raise the profile of Kashmiri language, culture, Rochdale and a platform to launch new talent.

“In 2007 the Pahari and Pothohari community received a huge boost through a movie by Anjum Malik, ‘Miki Kharo England’ (Take me to England).

“This low-budget independent movie will go down in history as it raised the profile of Pahari and Pothohari languages with entertainment. It had a star cast of Iftikhar Thakur, Shahzada Ghafar, Shahnaz Khan, Babar Hameed and Anjum Malik. It’s a story and journey of an innocent man with desires to move abroad, particularly to England, to better his life.

“This year, the festival will have a world premiere of ‘Miki Kharo Kashmir’ (Take me to Kashmir) a movie written and directed by Zafar Iqbal and team.

“Featuring Shahzada Ghafar and Shahnaz Khan from Miki Kharo England, this will be a huge boost for the film's success, Rochdale and the festival itself. Any person living in any part of the world who speaks Pahari or Pothohari will know Shazada Ghafar and Shahnaz Khan and be a huge fan like me.”

Zafar continued: “This is destiny. If you never give up, eventually your dream and goals find a way to meet you. I have worked extremely very hard to be here where I am today and it’s very satisfying in seeing things falling into place slowly and steadily.

“I would like to thank Khawar Raja, a talented individual and promoter, for his association on this project.”

The team of Miki Kharo England was given an appreciation award at the first AJK Film Festival in 2022; it was presented to Shahzada Ghafar and Shahnaz Khan during the filming of Miki Kharo Kashmir (2023).

Miki Kharo Kashmir is a low-budget British independent feature film shot on iPhone 12 in Rochdale during spring 2023. The dramatic and comedic story and script for the movie were developed following consultations with local groups of people.

It features a star cast of Shahzada Ghafar, Shahnaz Khan, Sonia Khan and Zafar Iqbal along with many other talented individuals. It’s a story and journey of a young man who desires of visiting Kashmir, a country of his forefathers in search of his roots and tranquillity.

Zafar added: “I believe it’s very important for the new generation to stay in touch with their roots and what better way than to raise awareness.

“Miki Kharo England focuses on migration and leaving your country for betterment whilst Miki Kharo Kashmir highlights escape from the matrix and reconnecting with your roots.

“It goes to show mankind isn’t satisfied anywhere - and I guess that’s called life.”

Last year’s festival was open to filmmakers of all levels, but this year’s festival is “quality over quantity.”

Submission is open now and all movies must be in the Pahari language but can have mixtures of English, Urdu, Punjabi, Pothohari and Bengali languages.

For other languages please contact the KPUK team. All submissions are free.

All movies must be no longer than 10 minutes in duration and must have been made within the last 12 months.

Following the festival, there will be a three-course meal for all attendees.

All participants, teams and supporters will be invited to the festival and dinner, and receive awards on the night.

The festival and dinner are free to attend.

To reserve your seat, or for film submission, sponsorship, media inquiries and volunteering opportunities please contact Zafar Iqbal, festival director on 07730 004498 or via email: mrzi@hotmail.co.uk.