Windrush Festival Awards 2025

Legends Honoured and New Voices Uplifted at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival 2025

LONDON, 29 June 2025 — The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF) closed its sixth season with a spectacular celebration of Black British excellence, honouring pioneering image-makers and emerging filmmakers who continue to shape the cultural landscape.

Two towering figures in Black British photography, Neil Kenlock MBE and Charlie Phillips OBE, were presented with the Paulette Wilson Justice Award, named after the iconic Windrush campaigner who helped expose the scandal that rocked the nation.

The award honours those who’ve used their craft to chronicle the Caribbean experience in Britain — and few have done so with such depth, range, and power.

Neil Kenlock, a Jamaican-born photographer and cultural archivist, has spent decades capturing the spirit of activism, identity, and everyday Black life in Britain.

From rare images of the British Black Panthers to portraits of community leaders and celebrities, his work has been exhibited across major institutions including Tate Britain, the V&A, and the Black Cultural Archives. As co-founder of ROOT magazine and Choice FM, the UK’s first Black-owned radio station, Kenlock’s influence spans media, memory, and movement.

Charlie Phillips: Capturing Black Britain’s Hidden History

Charlie Phillips, affectionately known as “Smokey,” is equally legendary. Born in Jamaica, his lens has documented everything from the streets of Notting Hill during the Windrush era to international film stars and protest movements. His photographic documentary How Great Thou Art remains a profound meditation on Black British funeral traditions. Phillips’ remarkable career was also the subject of the 2025 WCFF-selected documentary Charlie Phillips: From London to Rome.

Ansel Wong, WCFF Director, praised the honourees:

“I’ve seen up close the immense contributions these two photographers have made chronicling the Caribbean diaspora. Critical eyes shining a bright spotlight on the experiences, triumphs and resistance of this Caribbean presence.”

Previous recipients of the Paulette Wilson Award include Amelia Gentleman, Jacqueline McKenzie, Patrick Vernon OBE, and Dawn Hill CBE.

Misan Harriman Receives the Menelik Shabazz Legacy Award

Acclaimed visual storyteller Misan Harriman received the Menelik Shabazz Legacy Award, which celebrates rising African Caribbean heritage filmmakers in Britain. Harriman made history as the first Black man to shoot British Vogue’s iconic September issue and is the first Black Chair of the Southbank Centre. His transition from photography to filmmaking has been nothing short of electric.

Harriman’s Oscar-nominated debut short, The After, starred David Oyelowo and placed him among the most exciting new cinematic voices. His latest work, Shoot the People, delves into the impact of protest movements on social change — once again blending artistry with activism.

“Misan Harriman truly deserves this recognition as a consummate storyteller,” said Joy Coker, Publisher of Alt-Africa.
“He sees the world not just as it is, but as it should be.”

Spotlight on Film: WCFF 2025 Award Winners

Out of over 30 screened films, three standout works were awarded top honours by the WCFF jury:

• Best Short Film – Sugar Dumplin by Tristan Barrocks

• Best Documentary – Play It Loud! by Graeme Mathieson

• Best Feature Film – Love is…? by Sade Nicole Davis

Garry Stewart, WCFF Co-founder, reflected on the selections:

“Each submission resonated deeply with this year’s theme: Belonging, Being and Becoming. These films are more than stories — they are blueprints for identity, connection, and future vision.”

From Birmingham to Bristol, Glasgow to Liverpool, and back to London, the 2025 Windrush Caribbean Film Festivalhas once again proven itself to be a vital platform — not only for celebrating legacies but also for launching the next generation of storytellers who dare to reimagine the narrative.

The Windrush spirit lives on — and its stories are still unfolding.