African Odysseys volunteers clash with BFI over programme cuts and cultural erasure

Volunteers behind the African Odysseys film programme have publicly criticised the British Film Institute (BFI) for dismantling a two-decade initiative that showcased Black and African diaspora cinema, sparking community-led efforts to preserve Black film heritage amid institutional neglect.

Volunteers behind the African Odysseys film programme have publicly criticised the British Film Institute (BFI) following major changes to the initiative, which has for nearly two decades showcased Black-curated films and drawn previously underserved audiences. The programme, established at the BFI in 2007, has been credited with bringing African diaspora and Caribbean cinema to broader attention, consistently filling up the 450-seat cinema with engaged viewers, predominantly from the Black community. This initiative was also known for its anti-racist material and educational discussions on Black British history, attracting a loyal and growing audience.

The African Odysseys programme was co-founded by Tony Warner of Black History Walks and David Somerset, who was employed by the BFI to help run it. Despite the programme’s success in creating a popular and culturally significant slot for Black audiences in an institution often seen as predominantly white and middle class, the BFI moved last year to make David’s role redundant as part of internal restructuring. Volunteers expressed shock and frustration at this decision, believing that removing the only paid staff member with expertise threatened the programme’s very continuation.

The African Odysseys Steering Committee repeatedly sought consultation and dialogue with the BFI regarding these changes, only to be met with silence for several months. When a meeting was eventually scheduled in January 2025 to address their concerns, it was abruptly cancelled just two hours before it was due to take place. Volunteers highlighted the substantial value they contributed voluntarily — estimated at around £6 million in labour — questioning how the BFI could justify cutting a programme that has both cultural impact and financial success.

A petition calling for the programme’s preservation has gathered significant public support, attracting more than 17,400 signatures from individuals and prominent Black British figures such as actress Anjoa Andoh and actor Rudolph Walker. The petition insists the BFI reverse its decision to maintain what the Committee describes as a vital archive of Black history and film heritage. Despite continued advocacy, David Somerset’s role was formally terminated in January 2025, coinciding with the last screening held at the BFI. Since then, African Odysseys has continued independently, staging screenings around London to sustain the audience it built.

In response to these developments, the BFI’s CEO Ben Roberts stated in a March 2025 release that the institute did not want the programme to end and intended to continue showcasing Black British and African diaspora stories. However, he indicated ongoing disagreements with the Steering Group on the management of the programme. The BFI claimed to have reserved a slot in its monthly schedule to allow African Odysseys to return but did not offer specific reassurance to the Committee’s demands. The volunteers dismissed this response as lacking accountability and failing to address their core concerns.

Critics have also accused the BFI of failing to conduct a Race Equality Impact Assessment (REIA), a tool designed to evaluate how changes might affect different racial groups. This omission has raised questions about the BFI’s commitment to diversity, especially as the programme helped attract Black audiences to a publicly funded national institution that receives £20 million annually from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Prominent figures such as Professor Gus John, a racial equality campaigner, underscored the lack of respect shown by the BFI by not engaging with the Committee or even conducting a REIA despite repeated requests.

Faisal Qureshi, a producer who previously filed a racial discrimination complaint against the BFI in 2021, described the duality in the institution’s approach: publicly professing dedication to ethnic minority communities while privately treating them with “condescension and contempt.” The BFI had apologised to Qureshi for mishandling his complaint, yet the African Odysseys controversy suggests persistent challenges in the organisation’s handling of diversity and inclusion issues.

Filmmaker Souleyman Garcia, whose work has featured on the African Odysseys programme, highlighted the demand for diverse storytelling across the UK, with audiences travelling from outside London to attend screenings. He emphasised the essential role such platforms play in broadening cultural narratives, especially at a time when inclusivity in the arts is particularly crucial.

Despite the upheaval, African Odysseys continues independently, hosting upcoming free screenings, including a November 2025 event at Curzon Goldsmiths focusing on the experiences of Black soldiers in the World Wars. This ongoing commitment by volunteers and supporters underscores the programme’s importance and the community’s determination to keep Black film heritage alive beyond institutional setbacks.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the African Odysseys programme, with the earliest known publication date of similar content being 25 October 2024. The report includes updated data, such as the petition’s current signature count and recent statements from BFI CEO Ben Roberts, indicating a high freshness score. However, the narrative references events from January 2025, which may raise questions about the timeliness of the information. Additionally, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([screendaily.com](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-says-it-remains-committed-to-african-odysseys-strand-amid-concerns-over-its-future-exclusive/5198154.article?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
7

Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from BFI CEO Ben Roberts and other individuals. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from 25 October 2024. The wording of the quotes matches previous publications, suggesting potential reuse of content. However, no online matches were found for some quotes, indicating potential originality or exclusivity. ([screendaily.com](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-says-it-remains-committed-to-african-odysseys-strand-amid-concerns-over-its-future-exclusive/5198154.article?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While it is a known publication, it may not have the same level of authority as national outlets like the BBC or Reuters. The report references statements from reputable individuals and organisations, such as BFI CEO Ben Roberts and the African Odysseys Steering Committee, lending credibility to the information presented. ([screendaily.com](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-says-it-remains-committed-to-african-odysseys-strand-amid-concerns-over-its-future-exclusive/5198154.article?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative presents a coherent and plausible account of the events surrounding the African Odysseys programme. The claims are supported by statements from involved parties and align with information from other reputable sources. The tone and language used are consistent with typical reporting on such topics, and there are no significant inconsistencies or red flags. ([screendaily.com](https://www.screendaily.com/news/bfi-says-it-remains-committed-to-african-odysseys-strand-amid-concerns-over-its-future-exclusive/5198154.article?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and plausible account of recent developments regarding the African Odysseys programme. While some content may have been previously published, the inclusion of updated data and direct quotes from involved parties supports the credibility of the report. The source, MyLondon, is a known publication, and the information aligns with statements from reputable individuals and organisations. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.