Local filmmakers Natasha Preville, founding director of The Ascension Agency, and Emil Collins, award-winning filmmaker and founding director of The Socialize Film Club, have got together with Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives to create The Brixton Film Festival.
Its debut at the Ritzy on Friday 6 December will showcase the talent of emerging filmmakers in a one-day event designed to unify and empower local communities and dedicated to amplifying the voices of young filmmakers.
The organisers say the festival is more than just a celebration of cinema. “It is a dynamic, multi-platform initiative: supporting future filmmakers through two flagship programmes: The Brixton Screen Academy and The ReelReal Film Experience, funded by Lambeth Made and the Mayor of London.
These programs will provide young people with industry training, hands-on experience, and employment opportunities in the TV and film industries.
Over the past year, participants have secured paid work experience, including filming at All Points East, Bloomberg, and the SoulFest launch at Sony.
As part of the initiative, they created five short films and two music videos, mentored by a team of industry professionals. This included camera and post-production training from Albert Mensah, CEO of Fortune Favours Productions; storytelling and social media insights from Bernard P. Achampong, award-winning executive director and content producer; and direction and industry expertise from Fredi “Kruga” Nwaka, a multi-award-winning film director, producer, and actor.
All sessions were hosted at The Ascension Agency’s studios in Brixton’s International House and culminated in a graduation ceremony held at the BBC Studios in White City.
The festival programme
The festival opens with a networking opportunity, offering attendees the chance to connect with industry experts, the festival’s founders, and partners from the Black Cultural Archives. The evening will feature premiere screenings from The ReelReal Filmmakers Experience, The Brixton Screen Academy and the New Black Film Collective.
They will include:
- Sonder – A heartfelt spoken-word love story, directed by Danielle Njamen
- Apartment 19 – A supernatural queer comedy with a fresh twist, directed by Maya Jay.
- Brixton – A vibrant celebration of community through a “Day in the Life” lens, directed by Myvanwy Evans-Davis
- NeuroSpicy – A thoughtful exploration of neurodiversity and self-expression, directed by Leanne Ivey
- Dope – A thought-provoking exposé of screen time and its effects on children, directed by Maybri Boyle
The programme also includes a special screening of Say Nothing, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
This powerful film features an impressive cast, including Judith Jacob (EastEnders, The Real McCoy), Che Walker (Riches, The Chelsea Detective), and Ellen Thomas (In the Long Run, Dark Money). An panel discussion and Q&A session with director Donna-Marie Dowe and the cast will follow the screening.
To conclude the evening, the festival will honour -award-winning filmmaker Fredi “Kruga” Nwaka by introducing a new award category: The Fredi ‘Kruga’ Nwaka Creative Award, which celebrates his dedication to supporting young filmmakers from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Additionally, the finalists of The Brixton Film Festival Pitch X Competition will be announced.
“In the film and TV industries, I noticed a lack of festivals specifically dedicated to young people and their stories,” said Natasha Preville, co-founder of the festival.
“Brixton, where I grew up and where we work, holds a special place in my heart, and it felt vital to create a space that amplifies the voices of young filmmakers.
“The Brixton Film Festival is a platform to celebrate and showcase emerging talent under 30, while also including an element of excellence for filmmakers over 50.
“This intergenerational dialogue – bringing together different perspectives through storytelling – is at the core of the festival and embodies the essence of community.
“Our vision is to ensure young voices are heard, felt, and seen while fostering unity across generations.
“By creating new pathways to celebrate our stories and communities, we also aim to challenge and transform the creative industries into spaces that truly reflect and serve us.”
The other festival co-founder Emil Collins saud: “The Brixton Film Festival provides a safe space for under-represented communities to connect, share their stories, and showcase their creativity through cinema.
“The partnership between The Socialize Film Club and The Ascension Agency reflects our shared mission to empower the community, amplify their voices, and reclaim their narratives through the transformative power of film.”
Lisa Anderson, managing director of Black Cultural Archives, said: “We are thrilled to partner with The Brixton Film Festival. Engaging with young people and amplifying their stories aligns perfectly with our ethos.
“Our mission is to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of African and Caribbean communities in the UK while inspiring individuals, communities, and society as a whole,” she said.
“I first learnt about this opportunity at a time when I was eager to explore my passion for filmmaking,” said Danielle Njamen, a Brixton filmmaker and participant.
“As a young person in the care system, I often felt disconnected and lacked access to networks or opportunities where I could meet others who shared my interests.
“However, this film project changed everything. It not only allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals who share my love for cinema but also gave me the freedom to express my creativity and think outside the box.
“Every moment of the course was an inspiring experience, and I truly believe my future success in the film industry is thanks to The Brixton Film Festival.
“This project has sparked a new drive in me to put my ideas on paper, and because of the amazing people I met and the networks I was introduced to, I now feel like my goal is within reach.”
All proceeds from the festival will support emerging filmmakers.
Ritzy Picturehouse
Friday 6 December, 5–11pm
Tickets here (thebrixtonfilmfestival.co.uk)
