The BFI continues to try to ignore 17,430 people who are demanding racial equality at this taxpayer-funded public institution. The community took direct action and arranged for two mobile billboards, to drive all over central London for several days and park outside BFI Southbank during a premiere. Watch video HERE
The vans were seen by over 50,000 people and triggered interest from institutions in Vienna, Berlin, New York, Jamaica, Barbados as well as numerous UK activists and BFI audience members who had wondered about the absence of African Odysseys films from BFI screens.
The rise in right wing activity is an international problem and cuts to Black programming are viewed from a global perspective.
Much as BFI tried to destroy the programme entirely by getting rid of the only person with 17 years experience of Black film at the BFI and totally deleting his post, without doing a legally required Race Equality Impact Assessment; the volunteers who run the programme have carried on with 14 screenings at various venues since February 2025.
The next African Odysseys film is on Friday 7th November 6.30pm. It features Professor Patrick Vernon introducing short films and doing a talk on the BFI and institutional racism. Professor Vernon was involved in exposing the Home Office/Windrush Scandal and making Mary Seacole a household name. Details HERE
The headline below, from another well-known, equality campaigner is instructive:
The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity report calls for representation of marginalised groups to be led by the communities themselves. HERE
This is the exact opposite of what the 88% white BFI executive team has enabled. The BFI board of governors have no Black representation at all. Prior to George Floyd the BFI Executive management also had no Black staff, but in five whole years they’ve been able to recruit just one Black person.
Sir Lenny Henry also said this about equality:
The war on diversity is now global, and it sends a terrifying message that at the first sign of political pressure, some companies around the world feel they have permission to roll back their commitments to equality,” he said.
He explained that change only happens when the metaphorical and physical door is opened.
“If you’re white, if you’re male, if you’re non-disabled, you’re already inside the room. You’re sitting at the tables where decisions are made. Budgets are agreed. Shows are commissioned. Careers are launched. You’ve got the keys, and we need you to unlock the doors.”
Henry added that equality should never be optional, saying: “Inclusion isn’t some fashionable accessory you put on when it suits and take off when the political weather changes. It’s a duty. It’s a responsibility. So, we need our allies, real, brave allies, who will stand firm even when the ground is shaking under their feet.” HERE
This obviously applies to the BFI and their London Film Festival. The LFF deliberately excluded African Odysseys despite yearly approaches by AO and their 17-year track record of sold-out 450 seat film screenings. Coupled with the exclusion from Sight and Sound for 17 years, this is another obvious indicator of institutional discrimination against the African Odysseys programme even before the destruction.
The African Odysseys Steering Committee wrote to CEO Ben Roberts, and senior manager Stuart Brown multiple times about these and other issues of race equality since 2020 but there was no change. Below is an example of the many letters sent to the BFI which reference the London Film Festival. Notice that it is only in 2023 that complimentary tickets to LFF are considered appropriate despite almost two decades of free labour for the BFI from the Steering Committee
The email below was sent to Ben Roberts on 21st September 2020 after our previous 3 page complaint requesting a presence in the London Film Festival dated 23rd June 2020 was sent HERE
Dear Ben,
Just to point out that the meeting referred to in your email of the 24th July below has not yet taken place.
We did have a meeting with Stuart Brown on 31st, July but it was made clear, verbally and in writing, that that meeting was separate and distinct from the meeting mentioned in your email. In fact the July 31st meeting took place purely because Mr Brown had concerns over our selection of Ken Fero films for the Black Lives Matter/Injustice season which is now taking place.
As usual we have been very co-operative with the BFI and provided our expertise and advice on programming, imagery, text, style and press. We have repeatedly given up our holiday time to assist the BFI despite being on leave ourselves. We have been busy doing interviews, promoting the BFI and Injustice to our networks despite not having our pre-existing concerns addressed.
Today is 21st September, after three months of waiting, our thoughtful and detailed letter of the 23rd June has not resulted even in a meeting far less any concrete resolution of the issues raised. One of the indicators of institutional racism is that straightforward requests for change are ignored and/or subject to excessive delays.
Professor David Olusoga made an incisive speech on race in the media recently and pointed out the need for action rather than words. He also identified the deleterious effects of taking people for granted.If we are valued partners we should be treated as such.
It seems we have a a very one-sided relationship which cannot continue in all good faith. At this stage we would like to know why the delay and why the lack of initiative about serious issues identified three months ago, issues which date back years.
We would like a response by Wednesday 23rd September 12pm.
African Odysseys Consultative Group