Kelechi Ehenulo 🍿

At BUFF, our view is simple: If audiences are buying tickets, filmmakers should see real participation from the results. Following the 2026 @bufilmfest at @genesiscinema in London, BUFF has now activated the first stage of its filmmaker revenue participation model - with participating filmmakers receiving direct payouts linked to verified theatrical box office performance. The model, first announced earlier this year via @screendaily , saw filmmakers from qualifying titles receive 70% of BUFF’s net share across selected screenings including: 🎬 C.R.E.A.M 🎬 The Engineer 🎬 The Bridge 🎬 Shadows of Beirut 🎬 Small Gods 🎬 It Comes in Waves 🎬 The Dying Trade 🎬 Rise of the Legion This is bigger than one festival. This is about changing the commercial conversation around independent film. For too long, independent filmmakers have been expected to survive on applause while everyone else in the value chain gets paid. That model is broken. As BUFF enters its third decade - alongside the continued expansion of @buffstudiosofficial into theatrical distribution and international markets - our objective is clear: Build real infrastructure. Create real audiences. Generate real commercial pathways for filmmakers. Independent films deserve better. #BUFF26 #BUFFStudios #IndependentFilm #Cannes2026 #TheatricalDistribution

Beautiful people Beautiful vibes Beautiful purpose Our artistic director @specialkwrites in the company of @anniearaba @tamaratbc @muriel_effulgent 🏆💛✨ #BUFFAwards2026

✨ BUFF Awards 2026 | Artistic Director Appreciation ✨ As we celebrate the success of the 2026 British Urban Film Festival Awards in BUFF’s historic 21st year, we want to take a moment to recognise and appreciate our incredible Artistic Director, Kelechi Ehenulo @specialkwrites Behind every seamless screening, every filmmaker conversation, every carefully curated selection and every powerful audience moment is someone holding the creative vision together with precision, calm and dedication. Kelechi has been exactly that force for BUFF. Passionate about filmmakers and deeply committed to the culture, Kelechi continues to help shape the future of BUFF with integrity, intelligence and heart, championing bold stories and ensuring emerging voices are seen, heard and celebrated on the platform they deserve. Festivals are built on teamwork, trust and tireless dedication, often long after the audience has gone home. This year’s success is a reflection of that commitment. Thank you, Kelechi, for your leadership, creativity and unwavering belief in independent cinema. BUFF is stronger because of you ✨🎬🖤 Photographer @_hayikat 📸 Dress @adriannapapell #BUFFAwards2026 #BUFF21 #KelechiEhenulo #ArtisticDirector #BritishUrbanFilmFestival IndependentCinema FilmFestival CreativeLeadership TeamBUFF

40 films 3 scripts 4 Q&A moderations including 2 BAFTA winners in @deanatta and @hoozeer.film . Met acting royalty in @msjomartin & @shazdb 1 epic week Not bad for my first year as Artistic Director! I’m like Angela Bassett - I did the thing 😅 It’s a wrap on the 21st edition of @bufilmfest which I had the honour of curating and programming. So many amazing stories, all pushing boundaries of storytelling and innovation and couldn’t be more thrilled and proud to create that space for them to be showcase. Thank you to all the filmmakers and scriptwriters who took part in our festival. Congratulations to all our award nominees and winners. Throughly deserved 👏🏾 Thank you to @drclareao and @emmanuelanyiamosigwembe for bringing me on board and entrusting and believing in the vision of what I wanted to bring to the table. Thank you to @ash.kb._ , @sarahifidon and @neve_taylor23 as my jurors and support in helping me bring this vision to life. Thank you to my festival volunteers: @alexprosser04 , @alex._.franklyn , @ellachiappani , @muriel_effulgent , Romeo, Marwan, Callum, Lexi, Evi, D, and our photographers and videographers @withlovealexiss and @_hayikat . Thank you to @imlindae for presenting our awards show. Fabulous as always ❤️ Thank you to my Script Director @anniearaba (you superstar) and all the wonderful actors who participated in our live script reading. Thank you to my guest moderators: @amonwarmann , @thejasminevalentine , @kesssyb and @agentsofscreen for your outstanding Q&As 👏🏾 Thank you to @genesiscinema for hosting us for the week 👏🏾 And she may never read this, but thank you to RAYE. Her latest album was one of those “I didn’t know I needed in my life until I heard it” moments, and Joy was an anthem for me. I knew it would be the perfect choice for the festival and the crowd loved it. And just like the last slide, I definitely earned that drink. If I can do this in 4 months, imagine what I can cook up for next year 😉. Until next time, see you at the movies. #buff #buffawards @thebuffawards #festivallife #newmemoriesunlocked

This week @weight.of.the.soul.film had its official UK live screening at the Britain Urban Film Festival @bufilmfest a BAFTA-qualifying festival⭐️ We’re honored to be participating in the Short Film category and to be among this year’s nominees⭐️ The film highlights hidden human rights issues through the stories of Ukrainian soldier @kyiv.vvander on the frontline, and it means a lot to our team that these themes resonated with a British audience🙏🏻 Following the screening, Director @maria.d8r also took part in a Q&A session, sharing more about the story behind the film and the message we hoped to bring to the audience. The screening, conversations, and support made this experience truly special. Thank you to everyone supporting this journey ❤️ and THE TEAM @bufilmfest @thebuffawards #festival #buff #documentary

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT The award-winning BUFF AWARDS 2026 THE BIGGEST NIGHT IN THE British Urban Film Festival CALENDAR. Lights. Cameras. Red carpet energy. ✨🎬 Tonight, the best filmmakers, creatives, actors, and storytellers come together for a celebration you’ll NEVER forget. 💥 Massive award moments 💥 Unforgettable atmosphere 💥 Film culture at its absolute peak 💥 A night FULL of energy, talent, and celebration This is more than an awards show… THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE. ⏳ **HAPPENING TODAY @ 20:30 - DON’T MISS OUT** 🎟️ Get your ticket NOW at Genesis Cinema 👉 /event/108757 #BUFFAwards2026 #BUFF2026 #BritishUrbanFilmFestival #FilmAwards #RedCarpet

We started with a bank holiday bang and we finished with our 7th sold out screening of the week - a record for the festival meaning more box office revenue for our feature filmmakers! 3 of our programmes were upgraded to accommodate more customers which meant a busy week for the BUFF and Genesis teams and our debutant artistic director @specialkwrites Thank you everyone for a deeply satisfying week - another one in the books for the BAFTA qualifying, BAFTA winning British Urban Film Festival. Next up… @thebuffawards

Stolen moments from the red carpet. I love what often happens after a film has been screened: the excitement just keeps spreading around the room - it’s ever so contagious. Congratulations to everyone who had their films screened today at @bufilmfest #Day2 @michaeljunioro @fabien_ara @louischanwing @_8olanna

I wish I had made every film I got to watch today at @bufilmfest #BUFF26 ✨ Day 1 presented so many lovely films, and I can only imagine how the rest of the week would go. Cheers to the amazing people I get to do this with 🥂

Our base for the next 6 days. The British Urban Film Festival is back with a bang this bank holiday weekend! 43 films across the week, a full day of industry programming on Wednesday culminating with the buffest night of the year - @thebuffawards on Saturday. Feels great to be out of the house… It promises to be quite a week and we are just about all set. #BUFF26

THE JOURNEY WITHIN (GALA SCREENING) - BUFF Where stories go deeper. Where emotions hit harder. 🎬 IT COMES IN WAVES A powerful, character-driven story of a family escaping the Rwandan Genocide in search of a new life… only to discover that healing isn’t as simple as crossing borders. Hope meets reality. Survival meets identity. 💥 This is about what we carry within us. 💥 This is about starting over… for real. Raw. Honest. Unforgettable. ⏳ Gala Screening - don’t miss this moment 🎟️ Secure your seat NOW 🌐 /event/109447 #TheJourneyWithin #BUFF2026 #GalaScreening #FilmFestival #BuffAwards

Mark your calendars! The 2026 @thebuffawards will take place on Saturday, May 9. Actress icon @msjomartin will be honoured. Legendary film producer Charles Thompson will be remembered. @imlindae hosts the buffest night of the year. Watch trailer here.