Asif Kapadia's first feature, The Warrior (2001), a FilmFour/The Bureau production was released in the UK in 2002, the film was Nominated for three BAFTA Awards 2003, winning The Alexander Korda Award for the Outstanding British film of the Year and the Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a Director, Screenwriter or Producer in their first feature film. It also won the Evening Standard British Film Award for the Most Promising Newcomer; the Sutherland Trophy for Most Original and Imaginative First Feature at the London Film Festival; the Grand Prix at the Dinard Film Festival; the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Film and the Technical Achievement Award for Cinematography at the British Independent Film Awards and the Best Photography Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival. Asif's student film from the Royal College of Art, _ Sheep Thief, The (1997)_ , a 25-minute drama shot in India, won numerous Awards around the world including the Second Prize in the Cinefoundation section of the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival, the Grand Prix at the European Short Film Festival in Brest and the Best Direction prize at the Poitiers Film Festival.

Asif has directed documentary films for the BBC and was a director of documentaries for Carlton Television on Shift. He continues to direct commercials.