From comedies to dramas and everything in between, relive the classics on the big screen and be introduced to new work as Watford Palace Theatre celebrates the British Asian experience on film.

The British Asian Film Festival is a weekend of the very best British Asian cinema, with film screenings, exclusive talks and special guests, presented by the Palace and Rifco Arts.

The inaugural festival kicks off on the evening of Friday, February 28 with a special chance to hear writer and director Atul Malhotra and cast talk about new coming-of-age comedy drama Amar, Akbar & Tony. See exclusive first clips of the film that is set for release later this year, whose cast includes Sam Vincenti, Rez Kempton, Martin Delaney, Karen David, Laura Aikman and Goldy Notay, with music by Rishi Rich.

The film also features actress and writer Meera Syal, who will also be attending a separate talk at the festival, discussing her career and the film adaptation of her book Anita & Me before a screening of the comedy-drama.

On Saturday, March 1, the festival celebrates the career of talented film-maker Gurinder Chadha, with screenings of family favourites Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and a short documentary by the director called I’m British But. Gurinder will also be joining audiences for a talk, giving insight and anecdotes about her career.

The last day of the festival – Sunday, March2 – features a screening of Brick Lane, a drama adapted from the book by critically acclaimed British writer Monica Ali. Actress and writer Harvey Virdi, who plays Mrs Malik in BBC One's comedy series Citizen Khan and is currently playing The Landlady on Sky 1's comedy chat show The Kumars, will be sharing her experience of working in the critically acclaimed film and other projects.

The festival comes to a close with a screening of the comedy West is West, the sequel to East is East, the hit film about a dysfunctional multi-cultural family from Bradford.

Rifco and Watford Palace Theatre the team that brought you Britain’s Got Bhangra, Break the Floorboards and MummyJi Presents, are very excited to partner up once again to bring audiences the British Asian Film Festival.

  • The British Asian Film Festival is at Watford Palace Theatre, Clarendon Road, Watford from Friday, February 8 to Sunday, March 2. Details: 01923 225671, watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/BAFF