Windrush Caribbean film festival returns

The Windrush caribbean film festival takes to cinemas across London from the 25 June and ends with the traditional awards ceremony in Birmingham on the 17 July.

Lovers of Black films are invited to join in-person screenings across the capital and Birmingham from 25 June to 17 July, as well as discovering exclusive films online.

The festival will celebrate the legacies not only of the original Windrush pioneers arriving in Britain during the 1940s but their descendants who are shaping Britain as we know it today.

The festival is littered with some iconic films, including the iconic 'Pressure' from Sit Horace Ové, Willian E Badgley's 'Rebel Dread' as well as the film which had its world premiere at the renowned Cannes in 1980, 'Babylon' which will close the festival in Birmingham.

From Empire to Commonwealth: Legacies of the Windrush Generation is this year’s theme for the festival.

Frances-Anne Solomon, Director, WCFF said: "Our goal is to celebrate legacies of the Windrush generation on Black life and modern Britain. This discussion has never been more relevant."

When it kicks off on 25 June at the ‘home of Black Britain’, Brixton, film fans can enjoy the iconic film, 'pressure' hailed as Britain’s first black feature film at the Ritzy Cinema.

For its final London outing, the festival moves to Genesis Cinema in East London on 1 July.

Birmingham will then play host for the closing night on 17 July, Midlands Arts Centre.

Patricia Hamzahee, Director, WCFF is excited to finally be in cinemas:

“We’re excited to finally be in cinemas, after two years where we were all unable to meet due to the worldwide pandemic but, we’re keen however, not to lose those fans across the world who enjoyed our films via our digital platforms so we have an amazing online on-demand programme lined up which is available throughout the festival.”

In addition to the films, panel discussions, and Q&A, the festival will continue its tradition of an awards ceremony.

This will include the coveted Paulette Wilson Award as well as the introduction of several new categories. All awards will be held as part of the closing ceremony in Birmingham on 17 July.

Patrons can also get an online Festival Pass, which provides on-demand access to the in-person screening dates, until 31 July 2022. Viewers can watch recordings of the cinema screenings and talkbacks, as well as a range of additional films at their convenience.

With the continued controversy surrounding the Windrush Generation, following the Windrush Scandal, there is no better time to focus on the achievements and impact which started by those early settlers from the Caribbean have had on British life today.