Blog: Film festivals

For so long, "urban" has been seen as an extension of “black”, “underground”, “other”, “unworthy”.

We know that in every walk of life urban culture, more than ever, is revered as trend setting, forward-thinking, inclusive and innovative.

This is the reason why BAFTA, BIFA, AMAA and our industry festival partners (including Iris Prize) have officially recognised BUFF - giving our filmmakers direct opportunities to qualify for film awards. BUFF is the longest standing black-owned film festival in the United Kingdom. Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE, filmmakers that have exhibited at our festival are now household names. Join the legacy and explore new worlds at BUFF.

why I should submit to the leading film festival in the UK for diverse programming?

At the British Urban Film Festival, we have been a pioneering platform for all facets of diversity since our formation in 2005.

Long before diversity quotas and terminology such as BAME and non-binary, we have always welcomed, showcased, given coverage to and awarded films which embrace diverse storytelling, celebrating filmmakers from diverse backgrounds representative of the 9 diversity strands:

age. disability. gender reassignment.
marriage and civil partnership. pregnancy and maternity. race.
religion or belief. sex.