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Zafar rubs shoulders with movie big wigs

Faye Adams
11/ 8/2008

ROCHDALE could be the new Tinseltown if director Zafar Iqbal gets his way.

The 31-year-old, of Ashia Close, Newbold, has just returned from the prestigious Edinburgh Film Festival where he had his film, ‘Banana Boys’, included in the guide to British film.

The movie he wrote, produced, directed and starred in was also available for industry big wigs to view in the special viewing booths.

The festival regularly sees a number of people picked up by film companies who use it as a way to spot fresh talent in the industry.

Zafar and sister Saba, who starred in the feature film, rubbed shoulders with the Who’s Who of the British film industry.

They met up with Bafta-winning director Shane Meadows, who directed and wrote the British hit, ‘This is England’.

"It was almost too much to take in: it’s one of the biggest film festivals in the world," said Zafar.

"Once we knew our film was accepted we didn’t feel as though we walking around as nobodies."

He and Saba were given access to several film promotion agencies, including Screen Yorkshire and Film London, who give support and advice to aspiring filmmakers .

"They said we didn’t really need their help as most of the things they were telling us to do we had done already. It made me realise we are on the right track."

Now he is sending copies of the film that was screened in December at the Sandbrook Odeon to the contacts he has made.

And buoyed by the reception at the Edinburgh Film Festival he has plans for three new films – a science fiction thriller, a Bollywood style love story and a sequel to ‘Banana Boys’.

The first he hopes to get off the ground early next year.

All three will be set in Rochdale with local people being sought to take part and businesses being asked to help sponsor the projects.

"We want to get local people together and just make a film that people enjoy and make Rochdale the place to be."