The New Black Film Collective, a leading UK film network, has revealed plans to utilise its forthcoming TNB XPO convention as a launchpad for a broad spectrum of new opportunities aimed at Black professionals in the realms of film, TV, and the wider screen industry.
Hosted at Rich Mix London from the 25th to the 28th of March, the convention is poised to bring together a diverse array of experts, creative minds, and industry professionals from the fields of film, TV, VFX, animation, and gaming.
Confirmed speakers for the event hail from prestigious organisations including Film London, the British Film Institute (BFI), Warner Bros. Discovery, Bectu, Doc Society, and the British Council. Dedicated to the elevation of Black talent, the four-day gathering aims to broaden the scope of opportunities available to Black professionals within the screen industries.
During the TNB XPO in March, three pivotal organisations are set to announce significant initiatives that, according to the organisers, are designed to pave the way to success for Black creatives.
Representatives from the Film & TV Charity, Anita Herbert (Reel Impact Programme Manager) and Marcus Ryder (Chief Executive Officer), are scheduled to present Reel Impact, a trailblazing programme intended to bolster and promote Black individuals and organisations in the film and TV sector.
Anita Herbert expressed her enthusiasm: “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!”
Bectu will utilise the TNB XPO as a platform to engage with attendees about racial equality challenges in TV drama and to identify key areas for action, building upon the union’s already impactful initiatives in the commercial sector. Janice Turner, Bectu’s diversity officer, remarked: “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 from BFI Doc Society is set to encourage budding documentary filmmakers to explore the Made of Truth Fund in a panel discussion. Filmmaker Simisolaoluwa Akande will present her award-winning Made of Truth-funded film, The Archive: Queer Nigerians. The fund is committed to nurturing bold, original short-form documentary filmmaking across the UK.
Film London is also slated to feature prominently, showcasing the FLAMIN Animations Showcase by the Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network. The showcase, now in its third year, highlights the work of early-career Black-identifying artist animators who have been commissioned through the FLAMIN Animations programme. The event will present the latest short animations from artists Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume, Folake Fadojutimi, Gisela Mulindwa, and Duncan Senkumba, followed by a dialogue with the audience.
Maggie Ellis, Head of Artists’ Moving Image at Film London, shared: “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.”
In addition to the main programme, a recruitment fair will run concurrently, offering attendees the opportunity to discover career paths, apprenticeships, and training opportunities within the screen industries.
Priscilla Igwe, Founder and CEO of The New Black Film Collective, encapsulated the event’s mission: “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 extra day of online programming on the 28th of March will expand the event’s reach, featuring international speakers and experts from various regions, alongside advice from the BFI’s UK Global Screen Fund on fostering international collaborations and co-productions.
TNB XPO, which is complimentary for all UK screen industry professionals at any career level, is anticipated to be a landmark event. For ticket reservations and further information, interested parties are directed to visit tnbfc.co.uk/tnb-xpo-2024.
