Windrush Caribbean Film Festival and Curiosity UnLtd proudly invite you to a day of Rebel films, art and conversation that coincides with the St Pauls Carnival Back-A-Yard Fringe program and the final weekend of the Tapestry of Black Britons.
Rooted in the spirit of grassroots activism, this special edition of the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival honours Bristol’s pivotal role in civil rights, protest and radical creativity. From the Bristol Bus Boycott to the toppling of Colston’s statue, from Carnival to celebrating iconic Black Britons, Windrush Caribbean Film Festival 2025: Bristol explores race, resistance and renewal.
This unforgettable one-day celebration of Black British and Caribbean excellence will unite filmmakers, artists, activists and thinkers across generations to proudly champion the transformative power of grassroots activism. This rich array of films explores the Black British & Caribbean experience, from resistance to remembrance:
Windrush Caribbean Film Festival Films
- Sugar Dumplin’ – A tender story about food, memory and love featuring Oliver Samuels (20 mins)
- Mas Resistance – Tracing the origins of Carnival as a political act (30 mins)
- Reimagining Queen Nanny of the Maroons – A spiritual reimagining of the legendary leader’s legacy (32 mins)
- Windrush Legacy: The Return – Following the journey of a group of aspiring young Black Londoners with Caribbean roots as they visit the land of their ancestors for the first time. From discovery, diaspora, and belonging to intergenerational healing, and hope. (12 mins).
Bristol Bus Boycott shorts celebrate one of the UK’s most important civil rights movements:
- Lost Voices (15 mins) – Spotlighting the women behind the Boycott (15 mins)
- We Rise (5 mins) – A powerful music video created with Boycott pioneers (5 mins)
- We Rise – Origins (8 mins) – A behind-the-scenes look at the campaign’s creation (8 mins)
- Bristol Has A Dream – Martin Luther King III reflects on his upcoming visit to Bristol (3 mins)
Rebel Reasonings – This short film explores the unfiltered journey of a group of Black Bristol creatives reclaiming the narrative on the Transatlantic Trade on their Enslaved Ancestors (8 mins)
Brizzle Short Bitz
- If You See My Mary – As part of an important consultation about Edward Colston’s burial place, this evocative short film explores the life of his rarely considered personal servant, Black Mary. (5mins)
- Run Away enslaved person is grounded in self-liberation, heritage, and the enduring spirit of perseverance. This soothing dub poem explores themes of mental emancipation, resilience, and identity. (4 mins)
- The Escape – Celebrating escapologist Bunny Neill – the first African Caribbean Magician in the UK to receive the prestigious Gold Star as a Member of the Inner Magic Circle. (8mins)
- The Making of Tapestry of Black Britons – Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and woven in Bristol, this film explores the start of this unique art heritage project. From a Yoruba creation story to World War II veterans, it celebrates the contributions of Black Britons: out of many threads – we are one fabric. (12 mins)
Tapestry of Black Britons: Coinciding with the final weekend of this powerful exhibition celebrating iconic figures who have shaped Black British life. Join us for the final chance to see this uniquely excellent work. The Curator, Paula Hector-Ogun, will be on hand to discuss her evolving work, its origins and ambitions.
The Art Of Activism Debates
From carnivals, exhibitions, murals, tapestries, and more, a panel of high-profile cultural changemakers will explore the various platforms through which Black activism is expressed and the role it plays in reshaping narratives. Our esteemed list of guest speakers includes:
Ansel Wong – Since arriving from Trinidad and Tobago in the 1960s, Ansel has been an influential cultural and political activist in the public and charitable sectors. He is the former Chair of the Notting Hill Carnival Board and founder of multi-award-winning Elimu. Ansel is also an educationist, academic, and a former member of the highly respected Windrush Foundation.
James Watkins – Co-founder of Mainz World, a youth organisation providing prevention and intervention support across the UK. He sits on the National Police Race Action Plan Steering Group. He contributes to the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
Paula Hector Ogun – Creative Director of Tapestry of Black Britons, co-creates woven and digital tapestries that honour the contributions people of African descent have made to British history.
Cleo Lake is an influential Bristol-based trailblazer. Cleo has been a Lord Mayor of Bristol, a Green Councillor, Chair of St Paul’s Carnival, a Radio presenter on Ujima 98FM, an alumna of the Association of Dance of the African Diaspora, a writer in residence at the Arnolfini, and a Bristol + Bath Creative R&D Inclusion fellow, among other roles.
ActiFest is presented in partnership with the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival, Curiosity Unlimited, St Paul’s Carnival, Tapestry of Black Britons, and Arts Council England.
This event is part of the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival’s commitment to platforming Black British and Caribbean stories and heritage through film, dialogue and cultural exchange. Join us for a day of reflection, connection and celebration.