Platforma Festival

4th October - Stitching Workshop with Aya Haidar 14:00-15:30

Join Lebanese London-based artist Aya Haidar for a hands-on stitching workshop exploring memory, migration, and material storytelling. Known for her powerful textile works that use found objects and embroidery to reflect on displacement and survival, Aya brings her thoughtful, socially engaged practice to Peterborough for a special two-hour session.

All materials provided. Open to all skill levels.

5th October - A Creative Peer Meetup and Sharing – Leaving Were the Ones Who Could Not Stay 15:00–16:30

A reflective session with exhibiting artists Olga Jurgenson and Idit Nathan, part of a long-standing mentoring group. Open to creatives at any stage whose work engages with migration and identity.

11th October - Roots & Rhythm: An Afro-Jazz and Poetry Workshop 12:30 – 13:30

Discover the powerful synergy of sound and word in Roots & Rhythm, a vibrant workshop exploring the soulful world of Afro-Jazz and Poetry. This immersive experience invites musicians, poets, and curious creatives to explore the rhythm of African jazz traditions alongside the lyrical depth of spoken word.

Led by Peterborough-based poet Oloyede Michael, participants will blend improvisation, storytelling, and performance to create original pieces that celebrate identity, heritage, and self-expression. Whether you're a budding poet or a seasoned saxophonist, come ready to vibe, write, and jam.

No prior experience needed—just bring your voice and your rhythm.

11th October - SlideFest 13:30-15:30

SlideFest spotlights the work of four photographers whose powerful visual storytelling explores first-generation migration—both economic and conflict-related.

Through image-led presentations, each photographer will share stories of migration that begin with departure: Why do people leave? What do they encounter along the way? And how do they build lives in unfamiliar places?

Photographers: Hicham Gardaf, Kalpesh Lathigra, Amak Mahmoodian, Chris Neophytou

This intimate two-hour event will trace personal and collective journeys from displacement to arrival, offering a deeper look into the lived experiences of those who’ve shaped diverse communities. Through photography and conversation, SlideFest invites audiences to reflect on the stories behind the images—and the people behind the stories.

Curated by Aisha Zia & Mohamed Somji

16th October - Food from Home: An Exploration of Food Memories and Identity 13:00 –15:00

Join us and artist Madhu Manipatruni for a creative, participatory workshop exploring connections between food, memory, and migration. Through storytelling we’ll reflect on how food evokes identity, belonging, and home. Participants are invited to bring a recipe with personal or cultural significance to share.

Delivered by Peterborough Presents and Migrefhealth.

18th October - Lunch with the Aziz Foundation 12:00-13:30

Join the Aziz Foundation for an informal lunch and introduction to their philanthropic work supporting British Muslim communities in media, the arts, and public life.

Learn about their Masters scholarships, offered in partnership with leading UK universities, as well as traineeship opportunities designed to help develop the next generation of cultural leaders and creatives.

Enjoy food, conversation, and practical insights into how the Foundation is helping to increase access, representation, and opportunity in the creative and public sectors.

Young people 15+

Please note this workshop takes place at The Iqbal Centre

25th October - How to Talk About Palestine – with Makan 13:30 - 15:30

Join Makan for a practical workshop designed to help you speak more confidently and effectively about Palestine—particularly when responding to difficult questions or dominant narratives.

The session will offer communication strategies, tips for navigating challenging conversations, and insight into the most common talking points. Makan centres Palestinian voices and promotes intersectional, justice-focused learning that connects Palestine to wider social movements.

4th October Britain & Refugees: Return to Life + Hostile 18:00

• Return to Life (1960, 29 mins)
  Dir. John Krish
  A deeply compassionate documentary from the BFI National Archive, highlighting the resettlement of refugees in Britain, originally made to mark World Refugee Year (1959).

• Hostile (2022, 93 mins)
  Dir. Sonita Gale
  A powerful, BAFTA-recognized film exploring the personal stories of individuals impacted by the UK’s ‘hostile environment’ immigration policies.

11th October - Stories of Migration- Short Films 16:00

• Millfield of Dreams (24 mins)
  Dir. Mark Murphy
  Co-created by Peterborough Presents with over 100 residents of Millfield, Gladstone, and New England, this vibrant film captures local community life and identity.

• Bitter Greens, Tangled Roots (20 mins)
  A tender reflection on childhood, olive harvesting, and the pain of displacement.

• Station (8 mins)
  An evocative archive short offering a historical glimpse into migration experiences.

• One Aloe, One Ficus, One Avocado and Six Dracaenas (8 mins)
  A meditation on what we take or leave behind when fleeing for survival.

11th October - Io Capitano 18:00

• Io Capitano (2023)
  A gripping, award-winning drama following two Senegalese teenagers on their dangerous journey to Europe in search of a better life.

18th October - Child Migrant Stories – Films of Home, Sanctuary & War 16:00

A selection of short films sharing first-hand stories of children who migrated to the UK.

18th October - Focus on Women’s Experiences – Films & Director Q&A 18:00

• WOMEN (2024, 28 mins)
  A raw, emotional documentary revealing the impact of the war in Ukraine through the lives of three women.

• We Are Not Princesses (2018, 75 mins)
  A powerful portrait of Syrian refugee women in Lebanon reclaiming their voices through theatre and storytelling.

25th October - Lyd 16:00

A poetic film about the Palestinian city of Lyd, reflecting on its past, present, and erased future through memory, resilience, and resistance.

25th October - No Other Land 18:00

Palestinian activist Basel Adra’s five-year documentation of life under occupation becomes an unlikely collaboration with an Israeli journalist—resulting in a gripping portrait of justice, resistance, and unexpected solidarity.