Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE
Founder/ Co-Chair
Emmanuel has been the figurehead of BUFF since he envisioned & devised the concept of an urban film festival in the summer of 2005. In that time, the festival has awarded over 100 actors, actresses, writers, producers & directors and has delivered 16 annual industry programmes. The festival has screened over 700 films, including its’ own feature film ‘No Shade’ which Emmanuel executive produced in 2018. In March 2020, Emmanuel received his MBE medal from HRH The Prince of Wales for services to the Black and Minority Ethnic film industry. Emmanuel appointed actor/ producer Justin Chinyere to succeed him from September 2021. Emmanuel is a full time Executive Producer at BUFF Originals, speaker and columnist.
Follow Emmanuel on Twitter @emmanuelanyiamo
Clare Anyiam-Osigwe BEM
Festival Co-Chair
Clare joined the 9th annual BUFF in July 2014 and has headed up the PR & publicity for 6 festivals, executive producing all 5 awards ceremonies and securing festival sponsorship. For the last 3 years she has been lead script judge and in 2018, she co-founded BUFF Originals which spawned the theatrical release of ‘No Shade’ which she wrote, directed & co-starred in. Clare is a full time Director, Producer and Screenwriter for Film and TV at BUFF Originals.
Follow Clare on Twitter @clareanyiamo
Justin Chinyere
Festival Director
Justin is the newly appointed BUFF Director 2021. Taking up official appointment after 2 years training at BUFF since 2019, Justin has overseen submissions, was instrumental in the on-boarding of content to Apple TV working with Discentia and the filmmakers. Justin led the Film Jury during BUFF’s 15th annual festival, hosted festival Q&A’s, podcasts and edited the BUFF Awards in 2020. Justin will oversee the entire festival from the 16th annual edition in December 2021 leading on all areas of the brand from Submissions, to selections, marketing, managing festival partnerships, jurors, awards as the brand matures and evolves as it approaches its 20th year and beyond.
Follow Justin on Twitter @jcxappeal
Trish Bertram
Continuity Announcer
Trish is the longest serving female continuity announcer in British TV history. She started her career in 1982 with London Weekend Television, providing voice-over for LWT from 1982-2002. Trish has worked at various stations including UK Gold, BBC World, five, Westcountry Television, ITV3 and the main ITV network. She was one of the stadium announcers for the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics and the opening & closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Paralympics ceremonies in London. In August 2013, Trish became the BUFF continuity announcer, providing voice-overs for all the film festival’s idents and publicity content.
Femi Oyeniran
Patron
Femi Oyeniran is BUFF’s longest standing patron. Since 2015, Femi has supported the festival in various ways and is the official BUFF Awards host. In July 2021, Femi created a partnership with BUFF to support emerging filmmakers in memory of his friend and business partner, the late Victor Adebodun, via the Victor Adebodun foundation.