British Film Institute’s response

The African Odysseys event series has been a valuable and vitally important part of the BFI programme for 17 years, and it remains so. Contrary to what is suggested in this petition, we have no desire or intention for it to end and we remain committed to it. We want to reassure people by categorically confirming that any outcome of the restructure will not impact or in any way diminish the BFI’s commitment to, or dedicated resourcing of, African Odysseys. Having been in close contact with our partners in the African Odysseys steering committee, the BFI is also fully committed to continuing to work with them positively and collaboratively to programme and present regular African Odysseys events on at least a monthly basis throughout 2025.

As African Odysseys approaches its 20th anniversary in 2026 we have been discussing a celebratory season, and exploring ways to further our commitment to the strand, and how it can best complement the BFI’s commitment to wider Black screen culture platformed through seasons in our cinema and presented online via BFI Player, as well as through extended runs and premieres in our festivals. The latest African Odysseys event at BFI Southbank was on Tuesday 22 October 2024, in connection to the current James Baldwin season which is also supported by African Odysseys, and we have African Odysseys events confirmed for December ‘24 and January ’25.

The story has been covered by Screen https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-says-it-remains-committed-to-african-odysseys-strand-amid-concerns-over-its-future-exclusive/5198154.article