17th annual BUFF dates and venue announced

Rich Mix to host 2022 British Urban Film Festival and 2022 BUFF Awards

Dubbed as the leading film festival for diversity in the world, The British Urban Film Festival – under new director Justin Chinyere – is returning in November 2022.

The festival, colloquially known as BUFF, is now in its 17th year and will show high quality feature films, documentaries and shorts. Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, BUFF continues to be a bellwether for showcasing emerging talent who go onto achieve mainstream success. 

Cherish Oteka – who directed the BAFTA-winning short film ‘The Black Cop’ – has previously had one of her films (‘A Manner of Speaking’) play at BUFF and has even worked at the festival as an intern. Kate Herron – who directed and executive produced the first season of the Disney+ series ‘Loki’– had her film ‘Five By Five’ (produced by Idris Elba) shown by the festival. Last year’s edition selected and screened ‘Honeymoon’ – directed by Amy Aniobi (head writer of HBO’s ‘Insecure’) and also ‘Ala Kachuu – Take and Run’ (directed by Maria Brendle) which is contention for an Academy award this year for best live action short.

Also returning will be The Live Script Readings which in previous years has been won by Isis Davis (‘Killing Eve’), Jo Southwell (‘Doctors’) and Adriel Leff (‘Moving On’).

BUFF 2022 will host 6 days of screenings with films from across the globe, including many European, UK and London premieres.

Festival dates run from November 25 to 30, with screenings at Rich Mix in Shoreditch.

The film festival awards will also be hosted at Rich Mix on December 1, succeeding Peckhamplex which hosted last year’s ceremony in-person.

Negede Assefa, Head of Cinema and Operations at Rich Mix, said “We’re delighted to be partnering with BUFF for the first time, supporting this important platform for urban British filmmakers. We look forward to welcoming audiences and talent alike, into the Rich Mix building – a place where celebrating stories from underrepresented voices is a vital part of what we do.”

Justin Chinyere, British Urban Film Festival director, said “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Rich Mix and having such a wonderful home to host this year’s British Urban Film Festival. This is a building that I have frequented often and seen so many unique and popular events here that have championed diversity. Naturally, it feels like the perfect fit for BUFF and we can’t wait to showcase our film festival at such a well respected and diverse space.”

Films selected at this year’s festival will also be eligible for entry to the BAFTA awards in 2023 (for British Short Films and British Short Animation), the Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival, the British Independent Film Awards and the African Movie Academy Awards.

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Notes:

The British Urban Film Festival was founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE in July 2005 to showcase urban independent cinema in the absence of any such state-sponsored activity in the UK (at the time). In October 2020, the festival was granted with BAFTA qualifying status for British Short Films. To date, the festival has screened over 500 films, facilitating broadcast platforms for a succession of Black and marginalised writers, actors, actresses, producers and directors on Apple TV, Netflix, Prime Video, BBC i-player, Channel 4, Together TV, London Live & Showcase TV.

Rich Mix is an independent arts centre and creative hub in the heart of East London. Open since 2006, they are a charity that connects some of the city’s most adventurous and diverse audiences to a vital, exciting and ambitious programme of contemporary culture.

Rooted in the city but open to the world, they champion diversity in everything they do. Their programme covers every genre imaginable – from live music, theatre, dance and visual art in their performance and exhibition spaces to independent films, festivals and blockbusters across their three-screen cinema. Through their Creative Engagement programmes, they develop and facilitate the creative potential of young people, families, children and wide-ranging communities from across East London.