Written by Kianna Best on Aug 15, 2024. Posted in Awards and Festivals

S.O.U.L Fest returns for 2024

S.O.U.L Fest will make it’s much anticipated return showcasing a slate of projects at The MAC Birmingham on 29 August and the BFI Southbank from 30 August-1 September 2024. The festival, held in partnership with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) will open with a screening and q&a for Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo.

Sing Sing dir. Greg Kwedar

Founded in 2019 S.O.U.L Fest rests on the foundation of involvement from organisations prioritising service to Black audiences and talent. For its sixth year, the festival is bigger than ever, hosting it’s first ever out of London event at The MAC Birmingham. The annual shorts selection will be brought to Birmingham’s Black cinema fans. For the rest of the schedule, the film festival will make its return to the BFI Southbank.

The opening of the festival will commence with a screening and q&a for Colman Domingo Starrer Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kwedar. The festival schedule will also include a screening and q&a for Mr Loverman, based on the novel by Bernadine Evaristo, as well as The Lost Holiday, a production venture from actor Jussie Smollett who stars in the project alongside Vivica A. Fox and Jabari Redd.

Bathsheba dir. Mya Asha Jeffers

The festival will conclude with a panel title Transcending Borders: British Filmmakers’ Journey to the American Black Film Festival, discussing the US based festival, debunking myths that Black stories do not translate globally, and providing first hand accounts of successes and opportunities. S.O.U.L fest brings together the expertise of The British Blacklist, a media platform that celebrates the work of UK based Black creatives, We Are Parable, a company specialising in film exhibition, and S.O.U.L Film, a platform with the mission to make British Film and TV industry more diverse.

Tickets for the screenings and q&a’s are available to purchase now here.

Mr Loverman dir. Hong Khaou

Images courtesy of BFI