The UK Asian Film Festival returns next week to venues across the UK, including the Harrow Arts Centre.

Now in its 20th year, the festival celebrates the vibrancy of South Asian culture through film, intertwining relevant social messages with top class entertainment. There will also be interviews, masterclasses, workshops, live performances, visual arts exhibitions and a short film competition.

The film festival brings together different global cultures through the love of the arts and film.

The festival Opening Gala Dinner on March 14, at The May Fair Hotel, will feature an award presentation honouring female heroes that have challenged stereotypes, broken barriers and pushed boundaries to make a difference.

Recipients will include broadcaster and Sophia Duleep Singh biographer, Anita Anand; renowned and multi-talented actress and director Meera Syal; and veteran Indian film actress, producer, director and talk show hostess, Simi Garewal.

It will also feature an In Conversation with actress Mahira Khan, Pakistan’s biggest celebrity transcending borders with a global fan base.

Run by non-for-profit Harrow organisation, Tongues on Fire, the festival provides a vital platform for independent film produced in, or by artists from, South Asia and champions both arts and cinema, giving featured artists the opportunity to comment on society and the political landscape.

As part of the 20th film festival, Harrow Arts Centre will be screening DHH by Manish Saini. A coming of age tale, DHH is the heart-warming story of three friends (Gungun, Bajrang & Vakil) and their desperate search for a way to ace their exams. The three come across a magic show and seek out the magician’s help to teach them a trick to pass with flying colours.

To find out more or get tickets for DHH visit harrowarts.com or call 020 3773 7161.