British Urban Film Festival Reviews 

British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) Awards 2025

What an incredible experience and honour to be part of this year’s BUFF Film Awards 2025, where our feature film 'Tapped' received two awards.

The event was a true celebration of storytelling, creativity, and representation, shining a spotlight on independent cinema and giving a powerful platform to filmmakers of colour and diverse backgrounds.

A special thank you to Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE and Dr. Clare Anyiam-Osigwe BEM whose wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to film and television have made opportunities like this possible. Their continued commitment to uplifting and championing underrepresented voices in the industry is inspiring.

Tapped was written by Teoman Sayin and Elijah baker and created with heart, exploring real-life struggles around disability, inequality, and resilience and it means the world to have it recognised in such a meaningful space.

Thank you BUFF for believing in independent film and for making sure stories like ours are seen, heard, and celebrated.

Dr. Shamsa Akhtar
Producer | Executive Producer
Core Productions 1 Ltd

The BUFF Bafta watch party was great! Fantastic event and brilliant group of people. The BUFF really are one of the most special organisations in indie British cinema and deserve so much appreciation.

Great event I’ll recommend this anyone who’s aspiring to get into films.

The event was welcoming and a memorable night celebrating film. Lovely to see old and new friends in attendance.

This was my first time attending a British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) event and I was really impressed! It was so well organised and we were made to feel welcome from the moment we arrived with hosts, husband and wife duo Claire and Emmanuel there the greet everyone, along with their professional photographer. All in all a fabulous glamourous night out! I hope to go to many more!

Been to BUFF for BAFTA watchparty at Genesis Cinema. It's been all around a great experience with good movie people!

The British Urban film Festival has grown for strength to strength..It has become one of the major festivals in the British and international film circuit..It is a vital resource for fresh voices from around the world..BB

I really enjoyed myself at the British Urban Film Festival event I attended. The evening was very professionally managed. Everyone there was incredibly nice and humble. Emmanuel himself really put on a great show. I would love to come back.

The British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) was launched in 2005 to beam the spotlight on urban independent cinema in the UK. For the past twenty years, this showcase has platformed many filmmakers of colour (with a focus on talents of African and Caribbean descent) and shaped their respective trajectories.

BUFF is necessary for the culture, and relevant to the UK's film ecosystem. It deserves all plaudits that it's been accorded, and I can only hope that the festival grows from strength to strength.

It's been very inspiring to watch BUFF grow over the years, the first time I attended was when it was hosted at the BT Tower in 2018, the panoramic view was unforgettable. I believe It's maintained the essence of a family owned, grass-roots business with a vision

I had a wonderful time with BUFF Emanuel and Claire are wonderful hosts. Their deep knowledge of the film industry and their endless support is testament as to how they have created such a fabulous festival. This industry thrives when good people support one another and BUFF is leading the way with this, super inspiring!!

I had the pleasure of attending the BUFF BAFTA Watch Party, and it was an incredible experience. The recent BUFF win for the short film Rock, Paper, Scissors showcased the power of storytelling in modern cinema, giving a voice to the people of Ukraine and captivating the audience.
The event was a spectacular celebration of film, highlighting diversity and inclusivity while showcasing some of the industry's finest talent. The organisation was seamless, leaving attendees engaged and thoroughly satisfied.
A huge thank you to the organisers, Emmanuel and Claire, for putting together such a memorable evening!

I have a lot of respect for what BUFF has accomplished and continue to accomplish as a film festival. I've known the festival founders Emmanuel and Clare for several years and seen their steadfast commitment to creating an equitable British film industry with inclusivity isn't simply a buzzword, but a matter of facts. BUFF haven't done it alone, but they are a big reason for the steps made for the steps made forward for fiversity the screen industries in the past two decades. Congratulations for a job well done and long may it continue. BUFF also do a great BAFTA watch party!

Fantastic experience at British Urban Film Festival. Very well-organised and deeply committed to supporting upcoming filmmakers!

Wonderful people, Wonderful events. True proven supporters of independent film, and helping expose talent to a wide audience!

An amazing evening, which is to be expected with BUFF. Great catching up with old faces as well as seeing lots of new ones too!

My first experience with the festival was in 2021 and BUFF has continued to elevate and screen outstanding films. The team are incredibly friendly and involved every step of the way. The events are brilliant! I look forward to seeing more incredible films.

Recently attended Buff’s Up North Down South event and what a night it was! Amazing films shown, a great atmosphere and brilliant hosts! The whole event had such a buzz about it! Top job!!

Amazing festival! The calibre of films are out of this world, wonderful staff and venue. Thank you!

BUFF brings new storytellers to the big screen with powerful and moving films. The awardwinning and fan favourite selections are shared with enthusiastic audiences that love movies and the art of filmmaking