KILBURN MIGRANTS ARTS FESTIVAL

Stand Up Comedy

with Victor Rios

A British-Bolivian actor, Victor Rios is making waves with his captivating performances on screens and stages alike. From his roles in “Mallorca Files” “That’s A Wrap” and “4Stories: On The Edge Series 2 “, Award winning short films “500” and “The Wedding Pact,” his talent knows no bounds. As a member of prestigious theatrical organisations, Victor has also showcased his skills as a writer and director, notably with “Don’t Close The Door” at the Barons Court Theatre. Currently, he’s gearing up for his one-man show, “How British Are You,” blending humour and insight as a migrant Latino in Britain. Through his art, Victor bridges cultures and sparks laughter while challenging perceptions. 

Music Performance

from Sikuris Sin Fronteras (Panpipes without borders)

A collective of musicians from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and the UK, based in London. They celebrate the strength and community spirit of Andean and Amazonian cultures. Through the powerful sounds of sikus (panpipes) and drums, they honour nature, unity, and tradition -bringing people together across borders. 

Postcards from Kilburn Workshop

with Zhaolin Zhou

Come and create your own personalised postcard from Kilburn in this hands-on, drop-in workshop celebrating heritage and community. 

Colour in printed templates of familiar local landmarks, and bring these places where people gather together to life using gems, fabric, and collage. 

On the back, write a message in a language that feels close to you. You might send it to someone you love anywhere in the world, or keep it for yourself as a personal snapshot of Kilburn – a memory of where you are and its meaning to you.” 

Zhaolin Zhou is a first-generation migrant Chinese theatre maker, and a former Kilburn Resident. Trained at the Curious School of Puppetry, his work explores themes of immigration and belonging, weaving live-feed projection with paper puppetry, everyday objects, sound and storytelling. His performance Walking Cats tells the story of his experience living in Kilburn as a new migrant during lockdown through the lens of a LEGO cat and won the Origins Award at VAULT Festival 2023. Zhaolin also creates participatory projects that explore our personal connections with home and community.

Theatre Performance & Workshop

with Hilanderas

Hilanderas is an artistic community dedicated to transforming real-life experiences into evocative poetic narratives. For over a decade, our mission has been to ignite hope and empower individuals in life choices, believing deeply in the enduring power of storytelling through performances to illuminate paths and inspire resilience, from Chile to audiences worldwide. 

At the heart of Hilanderas are co-founders Stephi Prieto, Valentina Infante, and Josefina Lanyon, all accomplished creators, performers, and educators. Their shared vision drives our core mission: to transmute current social realities into vibrant artistic and poetic languages. “We passionately believe that creative rights are a fundamental aspect of human dignity, and we’re committed to nurturing a safe, responsible, and inclusive space for collaborative creation in general and with main focus in work with women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and children. This is our revolution of love. 

Theatre Performance

'Pandora's Dream'

‘Pandora’s Dream’ invites audiences of all ages into a powerful journey of self-discovery. It’s the story of Pandora’s courageous and deeply personal quest to shed inherited burdens, reclaim her authentic voice, and find genuine hope and connection from within, even amidst profound loss and change. The play sparks reflection, encouraging us to question prejudices, embrace imperfection and intuition, and openly discuss what’s often left unsaid, fostering empathy and understanding within families.

Workshop

'My Inner Spark'

‘My Inner Spark’ is a dynamic and engaging workshop inspired by the theatrical production, ‘Pandora’s Dream.’ Designed for children and their families, this interactive session gently explores themes of emotions, personal storytelling, and finding inner strength. Participants will join a journey similar to Pandora’s, moving from moments of feeling “stuck” or “cold” to discovering their own unique inner “spark” of joy and resilience. Through playful movement, creative expression with fabric and drawing, and guided sound exploration, families will learn to identify and express big feelings, transform challenging emotions, and understand the power of their own unique story. This workshop fosters connection, self-awareness, and the understanding that even when things feel difficult, everyone carries a special warmth within. 

Film Screening, '48 Hour Film Challenge'

Visual Art Exhibition