BUFF Awards 2021

The British Urban Film Festival (Buff) announced its 6th annual awards, which took place on December 10 at Peckhamplex cinema in south London.

Duaine Carma Roberts’ opening night film Navy and Balbeer Bahi‘s closing night film Unintentionhell each received three nominations.

Navy follows childhood friends on a formative music tour and stars Rocks’ Shaneigha-Monik Greyson, while Unintentionhell focuses on a grieving father seeking revenge on the perpetrator of his daughter’s murder. See the full official selection here.

Last year’s ceremony had no audience, however, for this year’s edition an in-person audience has been confirmed. Actor and filmmaker Femi Oyeniran will host the ceremony for the fourth time, with Star Treks’ David Ajala, Bridgerton star Ruby Barker (both former Buff award winners) and Arnold Oceng (A United Kingdom) attending as guest presenters.

As has been previously announced, pioneering filmmaker Menelik Shabazz, who directed 1981 drama Burning An Illusion, will receive a posthumous honorary award, after passing away earlier this year owing to diabetes-related complications.

Buff 2021 awards nominees

Best actress

Ava Ghir, Unintentionhell
Ophelia J. Wisdom, Navy
Bukky Bukray, The Gospel According To Gail
Maia Watkins, Just Delivered

Best actor

Rez Kabir, Unintentionhell
Emiko, Navy
George Russo, Baby Boy
Martin Delaney, Officer Down

Best feature film

Navy, dir. Duaine Carma Roberts
Unintentionhell, dir. Balbeer Bahl
Black Mail, dir. Obi Emelonye
I Want Out, dir. Samuel Adigun

Best documentary

Black Creative, dir. Meena Ayittey
Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power, dir. Abby Ginzberg
Ain’t Your Mama’s Heatwave, dir. Elijah Karriem
Ultraviolence, dir: Ken Fero