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.
White Guilt, a Marcus Flemmings drama with elements of horror, challenging perceptions, intentions, and societal norms will receive its UK premiere at Rich Mix in London.
Also receiving its UK premiere at BUFF is Wof Zerash Coffee, a documentary which highlights the effects of climate change and the quality and supply of coffee from the wild Arabica coffee forests of Ethiopia.
Other UK premieres include A Man Called Hurt: The Life & Music of Mississippi John Hurt; Kambili Ofili’s debut feature Shaping Us; We Will Be Brave directed by Chrisann Hessing and Michael J Long’s debut feature Baby Brother – a drama set in Liverpool which depicts the relationship between two siblings attempting to overcome their troubled home life.
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 – official nominations
Best Short Film
Saving Art – dir. Remi R.M. Moses
Syncope – dir. Linus Von Stumberg
Blue and White – dir. Hiroyuki Nishiyama
Free Bird – co-dir. Lauren Mckenzie, Wilson Benedito
Best Actress (The Blessing Anyiam-Osigwe award)
Hannah Griffiths – The Deal
Zoe Belkin – Sprinkle Brownies
Elisha Robin – Seven Sisters
And Freya Rivero – Hangnail
Best Actor
Albert Magashi – Cut
James Nelson-Joyce – Safe
Frederick Yeboah – God is Grey
Oliver Asante – Deserters
Best Feature (The Victor Adebodun award)
Shaping Us – dir. Kambili Ofili
White Guilt – dir. Marcus Flemmings
The Long Quiet – dir. Lucy D’Cruz
Baby Brother – dir. Michael J Long
Best Documentary
A Man Called Hurt: The Life and Music of Mississippi John Hurt
Co-dir. Alex Oliver, Jamison Stalsworth
Shaking Hands with the Devil – dir. Olz Mccoy
We Will Be Brave – dir. Chrisann Hessing
Here We Are Now – dir. Miriam Henri
Best Soundtrack
Shingai Shoniwa (Another day in Buenoseres) – dir. Cameron Medford-Hawkins
Kwang Ho-cho (Saving Art) – dir. Remi R.M. Moses
Philip Hashweh (Our Males and Females) – co.dir. Ahmad Alyaseer, Rana Alyaseer
Usman Adams (Dynamite) – dir. Uche Aguh
Best Animation
Divvy: A voodooville short film – dir. Nova Chimera
For You – dir. Luca Paulli
Pocket Princess – dir. Olivia Loccisano
Home Office – co-dir. Endre Lund Eriksen, Daniel Damm
Best Script Supervision (The Amanda Nally award)
James Kentfield – The Intruders
Uche Aguh – Dynamite
Marcus Flemmings – White Guilt
Kambili Ofili – Shaping Us
