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British Urban Film Festival 2024

BRITISH URBAN FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2024 LINE-UP

Our friends at the British Urban Film Festival will be celebrating their 10th Ceremony this year. They will be showcasing their entire programme, events, screenings, industry masterclasses and a filmmaker tour over the next month, including here in Calderdale at the Square Chapel Arts Centre between 17th – 25th of October.


Films from a record 22 nations will feature at the 19th British Urban Film Festival (BUFF). 10 features will be receiving their UK premiere including the world premiere of Here We Are Now – Miriam Henri’s documentary which follows the stories of 3 Ukrainian refugees who fled their war-torn homes and are now rebuilding their lives in the UK, Brazil and Germany.

The festival takes place from October 17-25 with host venues including Square Chapel in Halifax (which will host the world premiere), Rich Mix in London and Mile End’s Genesis Cinema which will also play host to this year’s 10th BUFF Awards ceremony. The Film and TV Charity in Soho will host an industry programme featuring actress, filmmaker and TV personality Verona Rose and Halifax’s Phoenix 96.7fm radio station will broadcast 3 script readings from this year’s winning shortlist: Luke Hunter’s Acid; Andrew Goth’s The Die is Cast; and Hear my Song by Rachel Walsh-Williams.

Our very own Station Manager, Howard Priestley, was honoured to be asked to present the award for ‘Best Scripts’ in 2023.

This year’s BUFF Awards ceremony – the festival’s annual celebration of film and television talent – is set to be hosted by Fee Mak, alongside Mosique Lavontelle and Linda E on Friday 25 October. Broadcaster Remel London will present Teddy Nygh, co-founder of Fully Focused Productions, Million Youth Media and director of comedy drama series PRU with the BUFF honorary award for outstanding contribution to the industry.

9 other categories spanning music, animation and script supervision will be showcased with winners to be unveiled at a prestigious ceremony in Mile End’s Genesis Cinema which is staging the event for the 2nd time having previously played host in 2018 when director Amma Asante received her honorary award from actress Dona Croll.

Teddy Nygh, co-founder of Fully Focused Productions said:

“It is a great honour to be the recipient of this year’s honorary award. I am grateful and proud of this recognition, especially from the British Urban Film Festival whose incredible work I have always admired and whose ethos has much synergy with my own. I’ve seen the festival go from strength to strength over the last 19 years. In 2025, I will celebrate 20 years of directing and creating opportunities within the industry, in perfect alignment with BUFF’s 20th anniversary. What a great way to kick off the celebrations! A special thank you to Emmanuel, wife Clare and the whole BUFF jury and team. Here’s to another incredible 20 years ahead.”

Adi Alfa, BUFF Awards Producer said:

“As somebody who wholeheartedly believes in empowering the youth and elevating those who don’t have access to opportunities, the work that Teddy Nygh has done and is doing, has been both groundbreaking and inspiring. To see his journey and the heart he has behind what he does is exceptional and I am delighted to be a part of an organisation that recognises and champions people like Teddy.”

BUFF 2024 UK Premieres

*denotes world premiere

Here We Are Now* (UK) Sponsored by Calderdale Council
Dir. Miriam Henri

White Guilt (UK)
Dir. Marcus Flemmings

Wof Zerash Coffee (UK)
Dir. Sylwia Pecio

A Man Called Hurt: The Life & Music of Mississippi John Hurt (USA)
Co-Dir. Alex Oliver, Jamison Stalsworth

Shaping Us (UK)
Dir. Kambili Ofili

Baby Brother (UK) 
Dir. Michael J Long

We Will Be Brave (Canada) – sponsored by Creative Minds
Dir. Chrisann Hessing

Dynamite (Ghana)
Dir. Uche Aguh

My Place Ozerna (Poland)
Dir. Karina Bedkowska

Redemption Road (USA)
Co-Dir. Yusef Bunchy Shakur, Scott McCartney

BUFF awards in Calderdale:

Click MORE to find out times and ticket prices for screenings in Calderdale.

 

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