A University of West London (UWL) graduate who founded Britain’s first urban film festival has warned that companies cannot stay relevant if they fail to recognise diversity on and off screen, after being made an MBE for his work in the industry.

Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe launched the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) to promote black directors, actors and screenplays - building on work he started while making and promoting film as a student in Ealing.

Since graduating with a BA in Media Arts & Video Production in 2002, the father-of-one has focused on celebrating and promoting urban creativity and made huge strides in representation – but says despite major leaps forward in diversity and representation, there is a long way to go in mainstream cinema. 

Emmanuel said:

When I started BUFF back in 2005 no one was talking about diversity and there was a notion that people wouldn’t go and watch black films. Those myths to an extent have been busted which is encouraging, but there is still change needed.

The demographics of this country are changing quickly, so many people are from multicultural families and want to see a representation of their identity on screen so if you fail to react to that you are going to miss out.

Emmanuel, who was made an MBE in December for his services to black and minority ethnic film, said:

It is unbelievable really, but it shows what hard work can do. I started BUFF at university and I hope it will show students the pathways and what is possible.

I have always just got things done. I lost my brother aged 18, and both my parents died in a very short space of time and they are events which still affect me. You never know what is coming therefore you need to act now. It is how I have approached my career and my life.

Paul Lohneis, Head of UWL’s London School of Film, Media and Design, said:

Emmanuel continues to be a real inspiration for all our students, showing how far experience and hard work can take you as they begin to carve out their own career paths alongside their studies.