For many people who arrive in the UK from overseas, the journey is filled with uncertainty, adaptation and resilience. For Zafar Iqbal, that journey began in 1990 when he arrived from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, carrying little more than memories of home and a passion for storytelling.
Today, he is the founder and director of Kashmir Productions UK CIC, an award-winning community organisation using film, media and creative arts to amplify unheard voices across the UK.
A Journey From Azad Kashmir to the UK
Originally from Sensa in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, Zafar arrived in the UK as a young student and began his education at Falinge Park High School in Rochdale. Coming from a village background into a completely different environment was a major cultural shift.
The experience of attending a diverse school introduced him to people from many different communities and backgrounds. It became the foundation for his communication skills, confidence and understanding of multicultural Britain.
He described those early years as transformative — learning not only the language, but also how to navigate life in a new country while staying connected to his roots and values.
Discovering a Passion for Film
From an early age, Zafar had a strong love for Bollywood cinema and filmmaking. Growing up near the Indian border in Kashmir, Bollywood films were a major source of entertainment and inspiration despite the difficult realities faced by people living in conflict-sensitive areas.
However, when he arrived in the UK, there were very few accessible pathways into film and media for young people from South Asian communities. There were no local training centres, no obvious mentors and very limited opportunities to develop creative skills.
Determined to pursue his dream, he continued his education through college before eventually studying Media Performance at University of Salford.
University life became a turning point. Alongside acting, he learned directing, script writing, editing, lighting and camera production — developing a complete understanding of filmmaking both in front of and behind the camera.
“Turn the Camera Towards Your Community”
One of the defining moments in Zafar’s journey came from advice given by one of his university tutors, a television director who encouraged him to focus on stories from within his own community.
Initially, Zafar had ambitions of becoming a Bollywood actor. But after reflecting on the lack of authentic representation for British Kashmiri and Pakistani communities, he realised there was a much bigger story to tell.
Instead of chasing stereotypical roles often offered to South Asian actors at the time, he began using film as a platform to explore community issues, culture, identity and positive achievements.
That decision eventually led to the creation of Kashmir Productions UK CIC.
Building Kashmir Productions UK CIC
Over the past decade, Kashmir Productions has grown into a respected creative organisation working closely with communities across the UK.
The organisation focuses on:
- filmmaking and documentaries,
- community storytelling,
- creative arts projects,
- youth engagement,
- training opportunities,
- and cultural representation.
Everything is built around collaboration and co-design with local communities, ensuring people are directly involved in telling their own stories.
What began as a grassroots idea has since evolved into a nationally recognised platform.
National Recognition and Community Impact
In 2024, Kashmir Productions received national recognition through awards and support from councils and civic leaders across towns and cities including Rochdale, Bolton, Bradford, Birmingham, Burnley and Luton.
The organisation’s success has helped place Rochdale and the wider British Kashmiri and Pakistani communities on the national cultural map.
For Zafar, however, the biggest achievement is not awards — it is creating opportunities that previously did not exist for young people interested in media and creative arts.
He explained that when he was younger, there were no training centres or spaces where someone could confidently say:
“I want to act.”
“I want to direct.”
“I want to learn camera work.”
“I want to write scripts.”
Kashmir Productions was created to help change that.
The Birth of the PAK Film Festival
One of the organisation’s biggest achievements has been the development of the PAK Film Festival.
Originally launched as a Kashmir-focused festival, the idea later evolved into something broader and more inclusive — celebrating Pakistani, Kashmiri and wider South Asian storytelling together under one platform.
The festival now showcases films, documentaries and creative projects while encouraging new talent to emerge from local communities.
It has also become an important networking and educational platform for aspiring filmmakers and performers.
Highlighting Positive Community Stories
A major theme throughout the conversation was the importance of communities telling their own stories.
Too often, places like Rochdale are associated online with negative headlines and stereotypes. Through platforms such as Kashmir Productions and local media initiatives, community leaders are now working to highlight positive contributions, cultural achievements and grassroots success stories.
Zafar stressed the importance of simply talking openly about issues, experiences and achievements:
“That’s how we learn and help one another.”
Looking Towards the Future
Kashmir Productions continues to grow, with future ambitions including locally produced drama series and larger film projects based in Rochdale.
Many productions are already filmed locally, often involving local residents, volunteers and emerging talent from the area.
The long-term vision is to continue building pathways for young creatives while strengthening cultural representation within British media.
A Story of Representation, Resilience and Community
Zafar Iqbal’s journey from a village in Azad Kashmir to becoming a nationally recognised filmmaker and community leader reflects the power of perseverance, creativity and representation.
More importantly, it demonstrates how storytelling can bring communities together, inspire future generations and reshape narratives that have too often been defined by others.
Through Kashmir Productions UK CIC, he has not only created films — he has created opportunities, confidence and a platform for voices that deserve to be heard.
