The BUFF Awards

The BUFFEST night of the year! Friday 24 October, @genesiscinema Celebrating the best of the British Urban Film Festival

[The BUFF Awards @TheBUFFAwards]

The BUFF Awards is now the award-winning BUFF Awards! Thank you @PrestigeEventsM

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

BUFF BREAKING NEWS!
The British Urban Film Festival which, for 21 years has awarded the best in British and Urban independent film has been awarded!

Thank you #CoolEventAwards & @PrestigeEventsM for recognising @TheBUFFAwards in the category of Events Organisers For Originality & Legacy.

Yes BUFF has won the award but the recognition is not possible without our talented filmmakers and writers who have graced our doors since they first opened in 2005.

The doors remain open and may they burst wide open as we look forward to #BUFF2026.

May the 4th be with you!

#BUFFAwards #AwardWinning #BestEventOrganiser

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

BUFF has always been about discovering, supporting and elevating bold independent voices. Following a strong week of industry activity around BUFF Studios, submissions for BUFF'27 are now open for filmmakers and screenwriters who want their work seen, discussed and taken seriously.

Beyond Usual.

https://t.co/mka4eFrtNO

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

Memo to all filmmakers whose films were officially selected and screened for BUFF 2026. Your films are eligible for free entry to the British Independent Film Awards until Friday 31st July.

Enter today: https://t.co/fwX2nGCKK2

[BUFF Studios @TheBuffStudios]

On our radar: @sheffdocfest which head of global distribution, BUFF Studios @EmmanuelAnyiamO is attending on June the 11th.

The perfect backdrop for BUFF Studios to host important conversations about documentaries, development, packaging, financing and theatrical distribution in the company of filmmakers, press, partners and investors.

Do come and say hello if you're around.

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

🎬 Today is the final day to submit your film to the British Urban Film Festival 2027 at the current entry rate.

Every year, filmmakers spend years developing a project. The challenge is not simply getting selected - it's finding a pathway to an audience.

That is why BUFF continues to evolve.

As a multi-accredited festival, BUFF now offers selected filmmakers something increasingly rare in today's market:
✅ A theatrical screening platform
✅ Industry visibility
✅ Eligibility pathways
✅ Revenue participation through the BUFF Filmmaker Fair Share model
In 2026, BUFF became the first film festival in Europe to offer filmmakers 70% of net box office revenues after cinema deductions, ensuring that selected films have an opportunity not only to be seen, but to generate real audience engagement and commercial return.
Whether you've made a feature, documentary, short film, animation or web series, we're looking for bold stories, distinctive voices and filmmakers ready to connect with audiences.

⏰ The May submissions deadline closes tonight.

The future of independent film belongs to those who build audiences, not just premieres.

#BUFF2027 #BeyondUsual

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

Mark your calendars! The 2026 @TheBUFFAwards will take place on Saturday, May 9.

Actress icon @therealjomartin will be honoured.

Legendary film producer Charles Thompson (@ScreenNation) will be remembered.

@imlindae hosts the buffest night of the year.

Watch trailer here.

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

BUFF returns on Monday.
For over two decades, the British Urban Film Festival has created space where there was none - championing voices too often overlooked, and backing talent long before the industry caught up.

A BAFTA-qualifying - and now BAFTA-winning platform redefining what British cinema looks and sounds like.

On Monday, the work continues from our base at @GenesisCinema as we open more spaces to more voices and more talent.

Check out our trailer and reserve your seats today for the showpiece event in our calendar.

The sun is indeed shining!

https://t.co/raX8Y30Oho

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

So here we go again. A new month, a new day, and a new trailer. BUFF 2026 starts on Bank Holiday Monday. Tell your friends...

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

Happy Birthday to @therealjomartin 🎉

A phenomenal talent whose work continues to break ground and inspire audiences across the UK and beyond.

We’re proud to be honouring Jo at this year’s British Urban Film Festival as she receives the BUFF Honorary Award - a recognition of both her impact and her journey.

Looking forward to celebrating properly on Saturday 9 May at Genesis Cinema.

https://t.co/LoUbTb4Viy

#BUFF2026 #JoMartin #BritishTalent #FilmAndTV

[The BUFF Awards @TheBUFFAwards]

https://t.co/s9yNbPw8og

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

BUFF has announced that the legacy of Charles Thompson MBE - co-founder of Black Filmmaker Magazine and founder of Screen Nation - will be honoured at the BUFF Awards on Saturday 9 May.

A visionary producer and champion for Black British film, his impact continues to shape the industry. He was laid to rest last December at the age of 65.

Join us as we celebrate his extraordinary legacy and the voices he helped elevate.

Secure your seat for an unforgettable evening. 🎟️

#BUFFAwards #CharlesThompsonMBE #ScreenNation #BlackFilmmakerMagazine #Legacy

[Screen International @Screendaily]

British Urban Film Festival unveils 2026 titles and filmmaker revenue participation model https://t.co/YER1oJeVqT

[The Voice Newspaper @TheVoiceNews]

BUFF builds innovative model to fund filmmakers

https://t.co/li9Q1RyJhW

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

For the first time in its history - the British Urban Film Festival will pay filmmakers for showing their features at the festival. 7 films from this year's line-up will each receive 70% of net ticketing revenue and box office reports. In partnership with @TheBuffStudios - we're delighted to support this new and exclusive initiative which rewards feature films officially selected for BUFF. Congratulations to:
The Bridge - directed by Jimmy Hedger
The Engineer - directed by Sam Alexander Reynard
It Comes in Waves - directed by Fitch Jean
Small Gods - directed by Asher Rosen
C.R.E.A.M - directed by Ryen Mcpherson
Rise of The Legion - directed by Adrian S Woodard Sr, Adrian S Woodard II
The Dying Trade - directed by Jack Hancock-Fairs

Full story in @BCineMag: https://t.co/9ZBi5KOR49

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

The 2027 British Urban Film Festival is now open for submissions. Early entry discounts remain available for students and FilmFreeway Gold members, with submission fees increasing by £10 each month in the lead-up to deadline.

For the 2027 edition, BUFF is introducing a new exhibitor partnership model in which all officially selected feature films will receive 70% of net ticketing revenue from their festival screening. This forms part of BUFF’s evolving approach to fairer revenue participation for independent filmmakers and is expected to continue in future editions.

https://t.co/mka4eFrtNO

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

In marking the opening weekend's UK release of You, Me and Tuscany, we revisit the 2022 conversation with @EmmanuelAnyiamO and producer @willpowerpacker . He reflects on his long-standing collaboration with Idris Elba and the enduring power of independent UK cinema - insights amplified through BUFF’s commitment to championing emerging and established filmmakers alike.

[Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE @EmmanuelAnyiamO]

On my radar: The Wellness Film Festival which I’m looking forward to attending at The KINN in Venice Beach on May the 2nd.

Important conversations about mental health & well-being in the company of over 20 international filmmakers.

Story in @BCineMag

https://t.co/2WK5pveC2D

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

▶️The next Bank Holiday in the calendar marks the beginning of the next BUFF era with the launch of our 21st British Urban Film Festival.

📌70% net revenue share paid to feature film official selections - a game changer for remunerating filmmakers participating at the festival.

📌Full industry programme including the climax to the Live Script Reading competition.

📌The showpiece BUFF Awards ceremony headlined by honorary recipient @msjomartin

📌Over 40 screenings across 6 days.

📌Starts Monday 4th May at Genesis Cinema, Mile End.

Start the countdown!

#BUFF2026

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

Our lowest ever price. Submit your films and scripts now for BUFF 2027. Student discounts and Film Freeway Gold discounts are also available.

Visit our Film Freeway page: https://t.co/iEs62du43j

#SubmissionsOpen
#BUFF2027
#DiscountsAvailable
#NewSeason
#NoJoke

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

BUFF 2026: A New Era of Festival Economics

For decades, most film festivals have operated the same way: filmmakers bring the work, and festivals keep the ticket revenue. Exposure is offered - but real economic participation? Rarely.

Starting May 4, @BUFilmFestival flips the model.

For the first time in Europe, selected feature filmmakers will receive 70% of net box-office revenue, along with verified audience performance data.

By comparison, most revenue-share festivals offer only 20-50% and rarely provide ticket transparency.

BUFF has always championed independent filmmakers, diverse voices, and industry access. Now, we’re taking it further: allowing filmmakers to share in the economic value they create.

Exposure is important - but it doesn’t pay back investors, fund the next project, or prove commercial demand. This is economic sustainability in action. This is putting filmmakers first. This is BUFF redefining what a film festival can be.

Story in @Screendaily: https://t.co/2NoUV0dtYx

[British Urban Film Festival @BUFilmFestival]

Mark your calendars. The clock has been brought forward.

#BUFF2026 starts 2 months from today.

Bank Holiday Monday: 4th May

Ends with The BUFF Awards:
Saturday 9th May

Exclusively from @genesiscinema