SOUL Film Festival x ABFF Global: London Returns for Its Landmark 7th Edition, 28 – 31 August 2025

The SOUL Film Festival x ABFF Global: London is back, celebrating its 7th edition from 28 – 31 August 2025. This year, the festival expands its reach beyond its home at BFI Southbank to include Rich Mix in Shoreditch and the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham, making it more accessible to audiences across the UK.

Co-founded by The British Blacklist, We Are Parable, and S.O.U.L. Film, and held in partnership with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the festival continues to showcase the vibrancy and diversity of Black cinema, with support from founding sponsor Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Highlights of the 2025 Festival

Thriller 40 Acres 

Shoot the People

Trouble Man

The lineup promises something for every film lover, with a mix of premieres, documentaries, masterclasses, and exclusive screenings:

• 🎬 Opening Night: Thriller 40 Acres, starring Danielle Deadwyler and directed by R.T. Thorne.

• 🎥 Documentary Spotlight: Shoot the People by Misan Harriman and Andy Mundy Castle, already receiving critical acclaim.

• ⭐ Star-Studded Screening: Trouble Man, featuring Michael Jai White, Method Man, Mike Epps, Gillian White, Orlando Jones, and Lala Anthony.

• 🎭 Creative Learning: Masterclasses at Rich Mix with the New York Film Academy, including acting and screenwriting workshops.

• 🌍 Global Voices: “South African Stories,” a showcase of five acclaimed shorts presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

• 🎞 Spotlight on Emerging Talent: Screen Alliance Wales and Bad Wolf present the Wolf Pack trainee programme, highlighting rising filmmakers.

• 😂 Comedy Pick: The Fisherman, a British/Ghanaian comedy feature, screening at Rich Mix.

• ☕ Networking Breakfast: Hosted by Fremantle, offering a chance to connect with creatives and industry leaders.

Alongside these highlights, the festival will present an inspiring range of short films by Black British filmmakers, celebrating both established voices and fresh talent.

Honouring Diversity and Impact

A major moment of this year’s festival will be the presentation of the 2025 Impact Award to Miranda Wayland, CEO of the Creative Diversity Network (CDN). Her work across the BBC, Amazon, ITV, and now CDN has been instrumental in championing inclusion and diversity within UK broadcasting.

Speaking on the award, Wayland said:

“This honour belongs to every voice amplified, door held open, and barrier dismantled through the roles that I’ve had and the partners I’ve worked with. As a Black woman leading the Creative Diversity Network at the heart of UK broadcasting, I carry the privilege and responsibility of driving systemic change.”

A Festival with Purpose

Festival Director Iyare Igiehon described the 7th edition as “a testament to the creativity, resilience, and brilliance of our community,” while Nicole Friday, Producer of the American Black Film Festival, emphasised the importance of international collaboration and cultural exchange that the festival fosters.

Festival Details

SOUL Film Festival x ABFF Global: London Returns for Its Landmark 7th Edition Booking Details:

📅 Dates: 28 – 31 August 2025🎟 Tickets are on sale from: https://www.abffglobal.com/ 📍 Venues: BFI Southbank (London), Rich Mix (Shoreditch), Midlands Arts Centre (Birmingham) 🌐 More information: www.soulfilmfest.co.uk

With its bold programming, international scope, and commitment to celebrating Black cinema, the SOUL Film Festival x ABFF Global: London promises to be one of the cultural highlights of the summer.