Neil Kenlock MBE, whose photographs of community activism in Brixton in the 1970s and 80s are now held in the collections of the Tate Gallery and Victoria and Albert Museum, is a recipient of the Paulette Wilson Justice Award from this year’s Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF).
Now in its sixth year, the festival ran from 14 to 28 June online and in cinemas across Britain, including a showing at Brixton’s Ritzy.
The award is named for the late Paulette Wilson, the Windrush campaigner who fought tirelessly against deportation to Jamaica and to bring the Windrush scandal to national attention.
Another legendary Black photographer, Charlie Phillips OBE, also received the Paulette Wilson award.
Misan Harriman was recognised with the festival’s Menelik Shabazz Legacy Award for up-and- coming African Caribbean heritage filmmakers.
Born in Jamaica in 1950, Neil Kenlock is a key figure in Black British cultural history, known for pioneering documentary photography featuring identity, activism, and community life. He was the photographer of the British Black Panthers.
He also co-founded ROOT magazine and Choice FM, the UK’s first Black-owned mainstream radio station.
Ronald Phillips OBE (born in 1944 and better known as Charlie and by the nickname Smokey) is a Jamaican-born restaurateur and photographer who has documented Black London for decades.
Ansel Wong, director of WCFF, said the two award recipients have made an “immense contribution” to chronicling the Caribbean diaspora.
Misan Harriman, a photographer himself, became a first-time filmmaker in 2023 with his powerful Oscar-nominated short film The After starring David Oyelowo, becoming the first Nigerian director ever to be nominated by the Academy.
His second film, Shoot the People, is an investigation of how protest movements shape social change.
WCFF also recognised three films from the 30-plus selected to be screened at its 2025 Festival. The jury voted for Sugar Dumplin from director Tristan Barrocks as the Best Short Film. The Award for Best Documentary was given to Play It Loud! from director Graeme Mathieson. The Best Feature Film Award was awarded to director Sade Nicole Davis’ Love is…?
Instagram: @windrush_fest
