Screen industry convention will set Black creatives on the road to success this March

LONDON, UK, 29 February 2024 - UK-based film network The New Black Film Collective has announced it will use its TNB XPO convention to offer a huge programme of new opportunities for Black film, TV and screen industry professionals.

The convention at Rich Mix London from 25 - 28 March brings together experts, creatives and professionals from the screen industries, which includes films, TV, VFX, animation and games. 

With speakers from Film London, the British Film Institute (BFI), Warner Bros. Discovery, Bectu, Doc Society and the British Council already confirmed, the four-day event focuses on celebrating Black talent and works to increase the opportunities for Black professionals in the screen industries.

Three influential organisations will unveil major schemes at TNB XPO in March that organisers say will set Black creatives on the road to success.

From the Film & TV Charity, Anita Herbert (Reel Impact Programme Manager) and Marcus Ryder (Chief Executive Officer) will take to the stage to launch Reel Impact, a pioneering programme designed to empower and elevate Black individuals and organisations within the film and TV industry. 

Anita Herbert said: “Both Marcus and I are delighted to be taking part in this year’s TNBFC’s XPO to share exactly how our new programme, Reel Impact, will help support Black and Global Majority talent working behind the scenes in film, TV, and cinema. By giving that talent vital access to grants, opportunities, and networks, Reel Impact is an incredible opportunity to ignite change, create equity, and deliver a platform to enable them to thrive and succeed. 

 

"We are excited to contribute and make our industry more of a level playing field, recognise Black and Global Majority contributions to the industry, and value their voices and talent. We all need to play our part to champion equity and inclusion in the industry, so to find out how you can get involved, make sure you don’t miss out on our Keynote speech on the 28th March at the XPO!”

The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union, Bectu will use TNB XPO to consult attendees about issues concerning race equality in TV drama and what they see as priorities to be addressed, following the union's already successful initiatives in the commercials industry. Janice Turner, Bectu's diversity officer, said: "Our partnership with The New Black Film Collective and TNB XPO means we can gain a wide range of views and insight in order to create equal access to opportunities for Black professionals in the industry."

Luke Moody of BFI Doc Society will invite early career documentary filmmakers to take advantage of their Made of Truth Fund, during a panel discussion in which filmmaker Simisolaoluwa Akande will present her Made of Truth-funded film The Archive: Queer Nigerians, winner of Best Short at the BFI London Film Festival 2023. The Made of Truth fund supports bold, original short-form documentary cinema across the UK.

Finally, principle partners Film London bring the FLAMIN Animations Showcase to the stage convened by Film London Artists' Moving Image Network. Now in its third year, FLAMIN Animations is a commissioning programme for early-career Black-identifying artist animators. The special showcase at TNB XPO will present the latest short animations commissioned through the scheme from artists Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume, Folake Fadojutimi, Gisela Mulindwa and Duncan Senkumba, who will be in conversation with audiences after the screening. 

Maggie Ellis, Head of Artists’ Moving Image, Film London said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with The New Black Film Collective to support and celebrate a new generation of Black animators through the latest round of FLAMIN Animations commissions.”

A recruitment fair running over the four days will further give attendees a chance to explore career options, apprenticeships or training opportunities in the screen industries.

Founder and CEO of The New Black Film Collective, Priscilla Igwe, said: “We want TNB XPO to be the spark that ignites change. If someone is able to access advice, apply for a job, hear about funding or grants, meet a mentor or connect with someone that inspires them, then we’ve done what we came here to do: actively create the space and the opportunities for Black creatives to thrive in the screen industries.”

An additional online day of programming on Thursday 28 March brings international speakers and experts from Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Africa, with advice from the BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund to enable overseas connections and co-productions.

TNB XPO is free to attend and is for anyone working in the UK screen industries, at any stage of their career. Tickets can be booked by visiting tnbfc.co.uk/tnb-xpo-2024.

ENDS