The British Film Institute (BFI) has sparked outrage by cancelling a highly anticipated meeting with the African Odysseys Steering Committee, just two hours before it was due to begin. The meeting was intended to address a petition signed by over 14,685 people, calling for the preservation of the 17-year-old African Odysseys programme, which is now at risk due to impending cuts and redundancies.
African Odysseys, co-founded in 2007 by Tony Warner from Black History Walks and David Somerset of the BFI, has been a cornerstone for showcasing African and Caribbean films, as well as fostering vital discussions around race, anti-racism, and the African diaspora. However, the BFI’s decision to cut the programme, without conducting a Race Equality Impact Assessment (REIA), has triggered widespread condemnation from experts, film professionals, and the public.
The petition continues to gain momentum, with more than 15,000 signatures supporting the cause. Over 20 race equality experts, including Professor Gus John, Mia Morris OBE, and Professor Paul Gilroy, have signed in support, alongside prominent figures such as Courttia Newland, Dr. Margaret Busby OBE, and Aml Ameen. Despite the widespread support, the BFI has refused to conduct a REIA, which would assess the racial impact of its proposed cuts. The BFI has defended its decision by citing an anonymous, undated consultant’s report, which has only added to the sense of frustration.
The Decision to Cut African Odysseys
The BFI’s decision to make David Somerset’s role as Education/Film Programmer redundant has effectively put the future of African Odysseys in jeopardy. This position, held by Somerset for almost two decades, has been central to the programme’s success. In June 2024, the Steering Committee was informed of the redundancy, a move that shocked many, especially as discussions had taken place as recently as August 2023, when plans for African Odysseys’ 20th anniversary in 2026 were in development.
In the months following, the BFI’s brochure for 2025 made no mention of African Odysseys, and no events have been scheduled for the coming year. The Steering Committee had already planned 13 events, but these plans were made impossible due to the redundancy cuts. Despite the programme regularly selling out its screenings, the BFI insists the cuts are necessary to “save money and promote diversity.”
Delayed and Avoided Engagement
The Steering Committee first raised concerns about the cuts in June 2024, requesting a REIA to assess the potential impact. Although the BFI initially agreed to conduct one, it later reversed its position, claiming that “race was not an issue” in the decision. The Steering Committee’s repeated requests for clarification were ignored, leading to the launch of the petition in September 2024.
The BFI’s continued evasion culminated in a meeting scheduled for January 17, 2025, to address the petition and the ongoing concerns of the Steering Committee. The Committee made extensive efforts to accommodate the BFI’s schedule and ensure attendance. However, just hours before the meeting, the BFI cancelled, citing advice from an “independent facilitator” appointed at the last minute. The Committee was not consulted about this decision, adding to their frustration.
The BFI’s unilateral decision to impose an external facilitator and cancel the meeting without consulting the Steering Committee deepened the sense of disrespect. The Committee had worked with BFI management for 17 years without the need for an external facilitator, and this sudden change felt like yet another way to avoid a serious conversation about the future of African Odysseys.
An Open Letter and Growing Tensions
Professor Gus John, one of the experts supporting the petition, had previously written an open letter to BFI leadership offering a potential solution to the ongoing dispute. However, this offer was rejected, further alienating the Steering Committee. On January 21, 2025, the Committee sent a six-page letter of complaint to the BFI, accusing the institution of “bringing the BFI into disrepute” due to their mishandling of African Odysseys and systemic racism. The letter called for immediate action to reverse the redundancy decision and conduct a thorough REIA.
Tony Warner’s Call for Accountability
In a statement reflecting the Committee’s growing frustration, Tony Warner, co-founder and Chair of the African Odysseys Steering Committee, said:
The massive disrespect shown on Friday 17th is merely symptomatic of systemic racism.
The BFI cannot seriously declare itself an ‘anti-racist’ organisation in 2020, then have to apologise to Faisal Querishi for racism in October 2024 while at the same time refusing to do a Race Equality Impact Assessment in 2025 even after 15,000 people have signed a petition in support
African Odysseys co-founder David Somerset’s last day is supposed to be 31st January. However the BFI did not follow Public Sector Equality Duty guidelines, before deciding to delete his post and make him redundant. We call upon the BFI CEO Ben Roberts and BFI governor Jay Hunt to reverse their decision immediately and run the REIA otherwise they cannot describe the BFI ‘as anti-racist’. In fact, the opposite would be true.
The Future of African Odysseys
The future of African Odysseys hangs in the balance, with the Steering Committee and their supporters continuing to call on the BFI to reverse its decision. The programme has been an essential resource for the Black community, offering a rare platform for African and Caribbean filmmakers, while promoting educational content on race and anti-racism.
The BFI’s refusal to engage meaningfully with the Steering Committee has raised questions about its commitment to diversity and inclusion. As of now, the Steering Committee remains resolute in its mission to save African Odysseys, continuing to advocate for transparency, accountability, and respect from the BFI. The petition remains open, and the fight to preserve African Odysseys is ongoing.