Celebrate Black Afro-Caribbean stories, documentaries and films at The Independent Black Manchester Film Fest 2026.

The Independent Black (African/Caribbean) Manchester Film Festival 2026 on Saturday 3rd of October 12pm at Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA.This is a celebration of Independent Black (African/Caribbean) film makers, documentaries and feature films.FREE entry for Arawak Walton Housing Association residents. (Who have co sponsored the event)

There will be film showcases, Q&A’s with the directors, panel discussions, information stalls, spoken word poetry performances with wonderful cuisine available.

1. The Nod – Tell Me You Got Me.

Duration: 6 minutes

The Nod – Tell Me You Got Me is an ode to the nod exchanged between Black males and its significance in the building of unity and brotherhood. An exploration of the nod exchanged between Black males in modern day Britain. Real-life testimonies reveal the nod's significance in the building of unity and brotherhood.

Director/Producer: Richard Ampeh

The Trailerhttps://youtube.com/shorts/VpLbnzIKmvU?is=Bkm47IoXnjZaZHE5

2.-Name of film - Gold-Duration 5 minutes-The, spiritual metaphysical and physical actions of searching for a precious stone.

-Director/Producer who will be in attendance on the 3rd of October 12pm - 6pm

Director - Peter Kalu

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/tdrNi9q0ftY

3.Name of film: Omo Eko

Duration : 15 minutes

Little 2 sentence write up about the film:

A heartfelt and relatable story of an immigrant's journey; caught between desperation and determination, Oke navigates London's cold cityscape, juggling missed opportunities, buried in debts, chasing her dreams all in a relentless pursuit of of survival and success.

This is a story of absolution. It beckons audience to forgive themselves for the things they did to survive.

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/HWkZdKE8iXw

Director Yinka Waje& (Team Member: Sarah Ifidon will be in attendance)

4.Extremely Telling

Duration: 9 minutes

This film follows a series of anti-extremism workshops led by a local youth & community worker in partnership with The African Pot (TAP) Project. Through personal testimony, open dialogue, and moments of vulnerability, the film captures participants exploring lived experiences of discrimination, media manipulation, identity and resilience.

Director/Producer: Richard Ampeh.

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/TCfxRdM50Bc

5.

Name: MyMan: An Origin Story

Duration : 15 minutes

Synopsis:MyMan: An Origin Story is a superhero film about vulnerability, innocence, and the harsh realities that can take both away. It follows a sensitive kid growing up in an environment he’s unequipped to navigate, escaping into his imagination as a way to cope with the responsibilities and realities in front of him.

Director/Producer: Jamie Swaby

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/5wkpEE1plog

6.

TitleA Story Left BehindSheeko Laga Tagay (Somali title)

Duration : 14 minutes

A researcher discovers the fragmented story of one of the first documented Somali woman from the north west of England. She goes on an epic journey to fill in the gaps. Having moved to the north west of England from Somalia at 11, Najma feels like many migrants: straddling two worlds yet disconnected from both.

She discovers a short storybook in the Library written by Halima, a Somali woman who arrived in the UK in 1956. The information creates a limited, fragmented, and deeply sombre narrative. A Story Left Behind follows Najma as she tries to fill in the gaps in Halima's story. Najma embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Director /Producer Asma Kabadeh

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/wAqxWbd9rrs?is=sl1XzRajft4ulYkT

7. - Home Away

- ⁠21mins

- ⁠Home Away is a 21-minute documentary that unpacks the human cost of migration through deeply personal yet universal stories. Directed by Nigerian filmmaker Ibitayo Ibikunle, the film mirrors his own journey of leaving behind over a decade of professional success in Nigeria to begin again in the UK. What he hoped would be a fresh start instead became a long, uncertain road marked by dislocation and resilience. Four years later, the question remains: will this place ever feel like home?

Director/Producer: Ibitayo ‘Tsaint’ Ibikunle

The Trailerhttps://youtu.be/XB_B-Y1qkzA?si=mgRchchHDvpIDsQg

8.

Towards Sun

50 minutes

Synopsis:A feature length documentary, film explores hair in the African-Caribbean Muslim community. Looking through archives and the story of the director and her family, as well as the stories of Black African/Caribbean Muslim sisters and Afro hair experts, Towards Sun is an ode to the glamour, beauty and elegance of black hair and African-Caribbean women.

Director/Producer S.O. of MZAB Studios

Trailerhttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nZcx1y39V9c&pp=iggUQAFKEHhxWXpCanBFTEk4SUp4YVk%3D&ra=m

Description supplied by the event organiser.