British Urban Film Festival (20)

Festival start: 09 October 2025      Festival end: 25 October 2025

For so long, "urban" has been seen as an extension of “black”, “underground”, “other”, “unworthy”.

We know that in every walk of life urban culture, more than ever, is revered as trend setting, forward-thinking, inclusive and innovative.

This is the reason why BAFTA, BIFA, AMAA and our industry festival partners (including Iris Prize) have officially recognised BUFF - giving our filmmakers direct opportunities to qualify for film awards. BUFF is the longest standing black-owned film festival in the United Kingdom. Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE, filmmakers that have exhibited at our festival are now household names. Join the legacy and explore new worlds at BUFF.

why I should submit to the leading film festival in the UK for diverse programming?

At the British Urban Film Festival, we have been a pioneering platform for all facets of diversity since our formation in 2005.

Long before diversity quotas and terminology such as BAME and non-binary, we have always welcomed, showcased, given coverage to and awarded films which embrace diverse storytelling, celebrating filmmakers from diverse backgrounds representative of the 9 diversity strands:

age. disability. gender reassignment.
marriage and civil partnership. pregnancy and maternity. race.
religion or belief. sex.

IF YOUR SUBMISSION GETS SELECTED IN 2025...

Only shortlisted submissions will receive further emails, social media messages or telephone calls/text messages from the BUFF submissions team after the final submission deadline passes (for the 2025 BUFF North Film Festival). Correspondence will commence from late June 2025 onwards.

All shortlisted films will be eligible to win a British Urban Film Festival award at the 2025 BUFF Awards.

All shortlisted films will be considered (on a non-obligation basis) for theatrical distribution through our industry partners.

All British short films and British short animations accepted into the 2025 British Urban Film Festival are subject to eligibility to be entered into the 2026 BAFTA film awards.

All British films accepted into the 2025 British Urban Film Festival are eligible to be entered into the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

Films accepted into the 2025 British Urban Film Festival will be in contention for an African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) IN 2025 (subject to eligibility). BUFF will consider official selections from filmmakers of African origin and non-Africans who have contributed to the African film industry.

Films accepted into the 2025 British Urban Film Festival will be in contention for the Iris Prize LGBT+ film festival and screening opportunities on Film4. BUFF will submit official selections from filmmakers of LGBT origin and films that are LGBT in theme. Black and minority ethnic selections which fit either criteria will be prioritised.

SUCCESSFUL SCRIPTS:

The final shortlist of 3 scripts (in addition to receiving a British Urban Film Festival award) will be considered for development through our industry partners.

Rules and terms:

Scripts: must be no less than 20 pages and no more than 120.

Feature length films: must be no less than 44 minutes and no more than 120.

Short films must be no less than 3 minutes and no more than 44.

All Music, Spoken Word, Animation, Dance & Moving Image videos must be no less than 3 minutes.

The festival operates a no waiver policy. Per our refund policy, fees are non-refundable.

Please note that non-acceptance to the festival is not a valid reason for a refund.