ACCREDITED BY MULTIPLE AWARDS BODIES

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Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE in 2005, the British Urban Film Festival is the UK's longest running film platform, built to recognise and represent diversity in all forms. Complimented by its annual film and script awards, BUFF is accredited by BAFTA, BIFA, Iris Prize, AMAA, Film Freeway, IMDB & Odeon

In July 2025, BUFF Studios distributed its 3rd feature ‘IREKE: RISE OF THE MAROONS’ (directed by Emmy-nominated BBC journalist Gbolahan Peter Macjob). The history-making movie became the first Nigerian indigenous film to premiere at the Cannes film market (Marche du Cannes) in May 2025. It also became the first Nollywood film (since records began) to release on the same day in Nigeria and the UK.

EXPLORE

BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)

Since 2020, the British Urban Film Festival has been a qualifying festival for British short films and British short animation films selected and screened at BUFF. As of 2025, BUFF is one of 86 qualifying festivals (31 British) which allow for films to be eligible for a BAFTA film award in the Best British short and/or Best British short animation category. 

BIFA (British Independent Film Awards)

Since 2018, the British Urban Film Festival has been a qualifying film festival for British independent feature films, short films and documentaries selected and screened at BUFF. As of 2025, BUFF is one of 60 qualifying festivals (48 British) which allow for feature films to be eligible for a BIFA award. BUFF is also one of 40 section B qualifying festivals which allow for short films to be eligible for a BIFA award.

Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival

As a partner festival to Iris Prize LGBTQ+ film Festival, British Urban Film Festival is invited to nominate one film for consideration in the Iris Prize Best British Short category as of 2025.  All films in the Best British shortlist will be broadcast on Film4 and be streamed on Channel 4 for one year.

 For more info, please visit: https://irisprize.org/the-irisprize-awards/

 

*Since 2019.

AMAA (Africa Movie Academy Awards)

Since 2020, British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) has been a qualifying festival for the Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards – recognising professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to the African film industry. As of 2025, BUFF is invited to allow for films submitted to BUFF to be eligible for an Africa Movie Academy award across multiple categories. 

IMDb (Internet Movie Database)

Since the advent of the BUFF Awards in 2015 (script prizes have been awarded since 2013), the British Urban Film Festival has been an IMDB qualifying festival for feature films, short films and documentaries.   

Film Freeway Gold

Since 2018, writers and filmmakers have been afforded the option on FilmFreeway to receive discounted pricing by as much as 25% (as Gold member submitters) on film and script submissions to BUFF, one of over 5,500 verified FilmFreeway Gold festivals. 

BUFF Awards

Since 2015, the British Urban Film Festival has annually awarded writers and filmmakers showcased at BUFF events along with leading figures from the Black and minority ethnic community. Previous winners have included Ashley Walters, Danielle Moseley, Adriel Leff, Emmanuel Imani, Isis Davis, Nicholas Pinnock, Asif Kapadia, Amma Asante, Wil Johnson, Femi Oyeniran, David Harewood, Jesse Quinones, Jo Southwell, Obi Emelonye, David Oyelowo, Ruby Barker, and George Russo.  

Leading the way in diversity since 2005

In 2023, a new chapter in BUFF’s history was established when the organisation was invited by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to relocate its operations. With the financial support of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Calderdale Council, Visit Calderdale, Dean Clough and Creative Minds, BUFF has hosted multiple festival screenings and special events in Leeds and Halifax as part of its commitment to develop audiences in the North of England.  

Apple TV

In 2020, BUFF and Apple TV+ teamed up to host the 2020 British Urban Film Festival with an exclusive screening room for 70 official selections on the iTunes platform (a UK first) including Inheritance (directed by William Boyd) and The Velvet Abstract (directed by James Hughes).

New Year's Honours List



In 2020, BUFF founder, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for services to the ethnic film industry. He received his medal at Buckingham Palace from HRH The Prince of Wales.

After the successful livestream of the 2017 BUFF Awards on BT.com, BUFF Studios started out as BUFF Originals; developing, producing and distributing first feature drama ‘NO SHADE’ in November 2018 (directed by Clare Anyiam-Osigwe).

The film has won multiple awards in Los Angeles, London and Lagos. BUFF Studios has since developed, produced and distributed a second feature/ob-doc ‘ABSOLUTELY MARVELLOUS’ in November 2022 (directed by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe).

In September 2023, the film received international recognition with an official selection at the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Toronto. BUFF Studios also  produces THE BUFF AWARDS (2016 – present), The Screenlately Show (May 2022) and was commissioned by The Voice Newspaper to produce WINDRUSH STORIES to commemorate Windrush at 70 in 2018.

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BT Group

In 2017, BUFF and BT Group teamed up to host the 2017 British Urban Film Festival from BT Tower in London (a UK first). The BUFF Awards was broadcast live for the first time on BT.com and Facebook. 

In 2016, BUFF came top in a global list of Black film festivals including the Hollywood Black Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival worthy of attending. The list was compiled and published by Metro Newspapers.

BeyGood

In 2023, BUFF Business Group was 1 of 10 Black-owned British businesses recognised and awarded a share of $100,000 in grant finance by the BeyGood foundation, founded by Beyonce Knowles-Carter (a UK first). 

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