Dozens descended on Rich Mix, London on Thursday for the launch of this year’s Windrush Caribbean Film Festival.

The festival, in its 4^th year is set to be the most successful yet as it marks the 75th anniversary since the HMT Empire Windrush ship arrived at Tilbury Docks, the first stop enroute to London with Caribbean citizens who were invited to live in the UK. Many Caribbeans had already arrived in the UK a year prior, docking at Southampton on board The Almanzora.

In the audience were many of those whose films were selected to be screened during the festival which will run from 6^th June to 30^th across the country.

Once again Windrush Caribbean Film Festival will have over 40 screenings and talks taking place across 5 cities, a move that Artistic Director Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe says , “demonstrates the festival’s intent, ambition and purpose”.

Recognising the significance of this 75^th  year, Festival co-founder Frances-Anne Solomon says, “They were our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties.  We inherited their courage, their struggles, their cultures of resistance.  We are proud to stand on their broad shoulders and carry forward their incredible stories”.

In addition to the announcement of all the films to be screened, the historical city of Southampton was also announced as the location for the opening night of the 2023 Windrush Caribbean Film Festival.

For the first time in the festival’s history, the city with strong historical ties to the Windrush generation will host film screenings from the festival on June 6 and also on June 21, the day before National Windrush Day