Directed by Clio Barnard, ALI & AVA tells the story of two people who are both lonely for different reasons. Separated (secretly) from his wife, Ali (Adeel Akhtar) may have a spouse in the home but his heart feels alone. For Ava (Claire Rushbrook), she lives with her adult son and his family but wishes that her own life had love once again. When the two meet, sparks begin to fly but both struggle to work past the pain that they have brought into their new relationship. In this 1on1, we speak to Akhtar about the power of music, the nature of Ali's quest and his BAFTA nomination.