Project Detail

Rebellion

Victory for the Bradford 12 outside Leeds Crown Court in 1982 who defended their community against racist attacks.

Synopsis

In 1981, twelve young Asian men in Bradford faced terrorism charges after defending their community from a violent racist skinhead attack. They made petrol bombs for self-defence. Known as the Bradford 12, by arming themselves, they took direct action to ward off the greater threat of skinhead violence. The state labelled them terrorists, but the people rallied behind the slogan, “Self-defence is no offence.”
Their case exposed the intense racial tensions in Britain. Their arrest sparked fierce protests nationally and internationally, with thousands demanding justice for the Bradford 12. The lengthy, tense trial revealed a police force indifferent to racist violence, one that believed discrimination was necessary and had Special Branch surveillance on key defendants.
Ultimately, the Bradford 12 were acquitted - a landmark victory affirming the right to organised armed self-defence for oppressed communities. Their courage and solidarity challenged systemic racism and continue to inspire the fight for justice.
Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2026

Details

Year
2026
Type of project
Features
Running time
80 min
Format
Super 8 film and 2K digital.
Director
Ken Fero, Tariq Mehmood
Producer
Ken Fero
Executive Producer
Shanida Scotland
Editor
Stephen Morris
Screenwriter
Ken Fero, Tariq Mehmood
Director of Photography
Soulyeman Garcia
Production Designer
Yasmine Djedje Fisher Azoume
Sound
Kayla Marie Troy, Mira Pharaon, Amifel Cliff-Eribo
Composer
Aki Nawaz
Other Lead Creative(s)
Fawzia Mahmood, Jayesh Amin, Ishaq Kazi
Featuring
Jayesh Amin, Ishaq Kazi, Shahnaz Ali, Tariq Mehmood, Amrit Wilson, Gus John, Fahim Quershi, Suresh Grover, Fazal Mahmood, Masood Malik, Frances Webber, Celia Stubbs, Minkah Adofo, Mukhtar Dar, Mark Hutchinson, Ruth Bundey, Leila Khaled, Max Farrar

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