Press & Media Coverage

Daffodil Studios is proud to announce that its critically acclaimed feature film Saffron Kingdom is set for a wide theatrical release in the United Kingdom starting on Friday, September 18th.

The film will screen for 62 shows at Vue Cinemas, ODEON Cinemas, and Forest Cinemas through September 24th. Cities covered include London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds. This is the largest ever screening series of Saffron Kingdom since showings began in 2025.

Directed by Arfat Sheikh, Saffron Kingdom follows the story of a Kashmiri family as they navigate decades of trauma and displacement—tracing their journey from 1990s Srinagar, Kashmir to 2019 Atlanta, USA. Through this intimate lens, the film presents an authentic, multifaceted story of Kashmir and its people — one too often overlooked or misrepresented — by weaving together personal narratives and sociopolitical complexities.

Tickets are available now on the Vue, ODEON, and Forest Cinemas websites. They can also be purchased in the Vue and myODEON apps or at the box office at Forest Cinemas.

For press inquiries, high-resolution images, or additional materials, please contact:

About Daffodil Studios

Daffodil Studios is a non-profit media organisation dedicated to producing impactful films and multimedia projects that amplify underrepresented voices. Its work spans feature films, documentaries, theatrical releases, and educational collaborations with universities and community organisations globally.

Daffodil Studios is proud to announce that its critically acclaimed feature film Saffron Kingdom is now available on Palestinian-owned streaming platform Watermelon+.

Directed by Arfat Sheikh, Saffron Kingdom follows the story of a Kashmiri family as they navigate decades of trauma and displacement—tracing their journey from 1990s Srinagar, Kashmir to 2019 Atlanta, USA. Through this intimate lens, the film presents an authentic, multifaceted story of Kashmir and its people — one too often overlooked or misrepresented — by weaving together personal narratives and sociopolitical complexities.

Since its world premiere at the Wake Forest International Film Festival in North Carolina, United States, the film has been screened across the United States and in more than six other countries, engaging audiences with its urgent themes and complex narratives, and generating important discussions on identity, representation, and resilience. The film has collaborated with many grassroots and justice-focused organisations, amplifying its impact and fostering dialogue on pressing social issues.

In partnership with Watermelon Pictures, the film is now available to stream on their Watermelon+ platform. Saffron Kingdom joins other critically acclaimed films such as The Voice of Hind Rajab and Once Upon a Time in Gaza as part of the streaming service’s growing collection.

For press inquiries, high-resolution images, or additional materials, please contact:

About Daffodil Studios

Daffodil Studios is a non-profit media organisation dedicated to producing impactful films and multimedia projects that amplify underrepresented voices. Its work spans feature films, documentaries, theatrical releases, and educational collaborations with universities and community organisations globally.

Saffron Kingdom is a poignant Kashmiri American independent film highlighting one family’s fight to find peace after fleeing violence and oppression in their homeland. Inspired by true events, the internationally celebrated and award-winning Saffron Kingdom explores the Kashmir conflict through a family’s journey from Srinagar in the 1990s to Atlanta, Georgia in 2019. The film was recently acquired by Watermelon Pictures, the recently launched, Oscar-nominated production and distribution company committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented filmmakers.

The story follows Masrat, a woman who witnesses insurgency violence as a child and later flees to America after her husband is abducted. Masrat struggles to find a new identity after moving to Atlanta, and her relationship with her son Rizwan is strained while he lives with intergenerational trauma and loss.

For decades, Kashmiri Muslims have faced violence, human rights abuses, and political disenfranchisement, and their stories have been largely kept quiet due to fear of reprisal. Saffron Kingdom is a politically urgent film, and debut director Arfat Sheikh centers humanity and honesty in this intensely dramatic story of love, loss, and resilience.

Sheikh has been announced as the inaugural recipient of the Emerging Filmmaker Activist Award at the 20th annual Teaneck International Film Festival. Saffron Kingdom exposes issues many would like kept in the dark and reflects on identity, justice, and the struggle to reclaim one’s narrative amidst turmoil.

Many in the Kashmiri diaspora remain afraid to attend screenings due to fears of surveillance, and few actors or credited participants are Kashmiri, as involvement could jeopardize their return home. Through the courage of its cast and crew, Saffron Kingdom brings untold stories to light and honors those who speak out.

Streaming release of Saffron Kingdom on Watermelon+ in May 2026