BFI Inclusion Director Melanie Whoys and Crew Q Training and Skills Director Rico Johnson Sinclair and Anking International Sales and Marketing Executive Claire Harris are participating in the UK’s new Black Film Collective XPO 2025.
Run by founder director Priscilla Igwe, The Collective is dedicated to strengthening the production, distribution and display of black-driven films.
XPO will begin with an evening launch at Channel 4’s headquarters on March 24th, followed by a day of three days of talks, interactive sessions, pitching and networking, networking in London’s Rich Mix and a virtual roundtable overseen by the UK’s global screen fund.
The Rich Mix lineup includes roundtable discussions with former BBC executive Terry Jervis along with BECTU’s black members subcommittee and chairman of producer Faisal Qureshi.
Anita Herbert, Impact Partnership Program Manager for Film and TV Charities, will be talking about the next iteration of the Reel Impact Fund and will be taking part in an on-stage discussion with NFTS’ Ijeoma Akigwe, Creative Diversity Network’s Miranda Wayland and Johnson-Sinclair.
Further speakers include Morganamelvin and Vicki Brown of the BFI filmmaking fund, Brion Hanson of the British Council, Chechen of Sovereign Films, Lala Akindoju of the make-up exercises, Cinemaculator Delfin Recyven and story compound producer Torsford.
“Even though the recent EDI (equality, diversity, inclusion) rollbacks have taken place in the US and spread to the UK, we are pleased to have the support of industries that are still interested in positive change in our events, and we are pleased to advocate for equality and representation,” Igwe said.
“We must stay together and pull the barriers down, so that we can all participate in a fair future.”
The first XPO will be held in 2022 and will work with the film London to promote annual conventions and actions that showcase black creative talent across the screen industry.
“When we participated in the first edition of TNB XPO in 2022, we embarked on the programme, tracing the representation of the black community, culture and storytelling in London’s screen industry and our own organization.”
“We are totally committed to that agenda and reaffirm our continued belief, passion and commitment to creating many opportunities for multiple, diverse London communities through research, skills training and work.”
(TagStoTRASSLATE) Diversity (T) Industry Events (T) UK/Ireland
