The finalists for a top award ceremony celebrating south Asian talent in the arts have been announced, ahead of the gala event next month.
The Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTAs) awards, which honour the best of south Asian talent within the creative arts, will take place on June 22 in central London.
The ACTAs, hosted by the Asian Media Group, publishers of Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat, are now in their third year. They recognise exceptional achievement in a wide range of disciplines, including literature, film, television, theatre, poetry, music, photography, dance and the visual arts.
Among the finalists are actresses Meera Syal and Archie Panjabi; music producer Naughty Boy; contemporary dancer Aakash Odedra; presenter Anita Rani; comedian and political commentator Ayesha Hazarika; artists The Singh Twins and director Sarmad Masud.
Amit Roy, chairman of the ACTAs judging panel and Eastern Eye editor-at-large said: “We began the ACTAs because we felt British Asian artists, try as they might, were not getting the recognition they deserved. Art, which enhances life, is for all.”
Past winners include sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar, Naughty Boy, comedian Sindhu Vee and actor Riz Ahmed.
- See www.actas.co.uk/Finalists2018.php for the full list of the 2018 finalists
