Careif partners with ‘Unspoken’, a mental health film festival
Careif is delighted to be an official partner of Unspoken - a mental health film festival, which will be screening a number of films in London throughout October.
The festival has been organised by the charity Tongues on Fire, who produce the annual UK Asian Film Festival, with support from the Psychiatry Research Trust (PRT), a charity dedicated to research and education in mental health.
Promoting mental health awareness
This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to promote mental health awareness, minimise the stigma frequently found in relation to mental health issues all around the world and stimulate open debate while celebrating the power of film.
By showcasing powerful and topical films from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK, we hope the films and discussions will inform, inspire and engage audiences in ways that are both meaningful and enjoyable. A series of films will be shown on 4th 5th, 9th and 10th October at three locations in London (see details below).
Unspoken, is an important new offshoot festival dedicated to exploring mental health through the lens of cinema. With the powerful tagline ‘Every Mind Has a Voice’, the festival seeks to break silence, challenge stigma, and create space for honest conversations around mental health within South Asian and global communities.
It brings together filmmakers, academics, psychiatrists, psychologists, activists, and audiences, Unspoken presents five powerful films alongside panels, discussions, and community events designed to spotlight the realities of mental health, identity, and resilience.
Careif book launch
As part of the festival, On 10 October from 5-5.30pm the latest Careif book Social Justice, Social Discrimination and Mental Health will be launched at The Source (UEL), Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15 1BX (nearest Stations: Stratford ,Central, Jubilee, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth Line, National Rail). Tickets for the film following the book launch can be booked through Eventbrite.
The film Mogul Mowgli will be shown at this event, which features a British-Pakistani rapper Zed who confronts identity, trauma, and illness in this powerful semi-autobiographical drama.
Schedule
See below for full details of the films being shown:
| Date and time | Film | Venue | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 4 October, 5pm | Provoked - followed by panel discussion | Garden Cinema, Covent Garden | Based on a true story, Kiranjit Ahluwalia fights to survive an abusive marriage, sparking a landmark legal battle. A gripping exploration of resilience, justice, and the courage to reclaim one’s life. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Rahila Gupta, Professor Dinesh Bhugra, and Rachel Kelly. |
| Sunday 5 October, 2.15pm | Dil Dhadakne Do | Rich Mix, Shoreditch | A Mediterranean cruise meant to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary exposes the fractures in the wealthy Mehra family. Between bankruptcy, loveless marriages, and unfulfilled dreams, Zoya Akhtar’s dazzling drama reveals what happens when silence within families finally breaks. |
| Sunday 5 October, 5.15pm | The Single Tumbler | Rich Mix, Shoreditch | Set in post-war northern Sri Lanka, this intimate film examines Tamil society through the lens of displacement, memory, and complicity. A deeply personal exploration of identity, class, and cultural accountability. |
| Thursday 9 October, 8pm | Zindagi Tamasha | Rich Mix, Shoreditch | When a respected elder’s dance at a wedding goes viral, his world unravels under the weight of moral scrutiny. Sarmad Khoosat’s poignant film examines shame, faith, and the search for dignity in a conservative society. |
| Friday 10 October, 5pm | Book launch and film Mogul Mowgli | The Source, University of East London | The film features a British-Pakistani rapper Zed, who confronts identity, trauma, and illness in this powerful semi-autobiographical drama. |
‘Reducing stigma’
The Unspoken Mental Health Film Festival is a collaboration between Tongues on Fire CIO, founded by Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE and our joint Patron Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE (Former President, Royal College of Psychiatrists and Careif patron) commented:
“I am delighted to be involved in this initiative. Our communities often shy away from seeking help due to a sense of shame thereby prolonging the illness and reducing the likelihood of better outcomes. I hope that the Festival will help reduce stigma and encourage individuals and families to come forward if they need help. I am grateful to two wonderful charities: Careif and the Psychiatry Research Trust for their extraordinary support.”
Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE added “Mental health is a human right”.
Careif is delighted to support the UK Asian film Festival. Cinema has a magical quality, films can be powerful and even offer succour from life’s vicissitudes. The festival offers not only entertainment and inspiration, but a wonderful way to promote mental health.
