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| Dr. Kolawole to the left , Mr Iheuwa to the right and the Ghanaian Head of Chancery Amb. Mawutor N.K. Alifo in the centre during a courtesy visit to the Ghanaian high commission to invite him to the festival |
PRESS RELEASE
Yorkshire Film Festival Announces Inaugural Edition
A Global Stage for Cinema Rooted in the Heart of Yorkshire
YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM — 21 July 2026 — The Yorkshire Film Festival (YFF) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural edition, taking place on 4 August 2026 as a flagship event within the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA), which runs from 3–8 August 2026.
Created to celebrate outstanding storytelling from Yorkshire, the United Kingdom and across the world, the Yorkshire Film Festival aims to establish itself as an internationally recognised platform for cinematic excellence, cultural exchange and emerging creative talent. Set in Bradford—UNESCO City of Film, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, students, creatives and audiences to champion diverse voices and inspire the next generation of storytellers.
The festival is led by Christopher Iheuwa, an accomplished filmmaker, producer, director, actor, author and arts administrator whose distinguished career spans motion picture, television, theatre and festival production. An Arts Council England Global Talent Visa recipient, Iheuwa has earned international recognition for his outstanding contribution to the creative industries.
Originally from Nigeria and now based in the United Kingdom, he has participated in more than 200 film, television and theatre productions across Nigeria, the UK and other countries. His work reflects decades of creative excellence and a passion for developing new artistic voices.
In addition to his achievements in film, Iheuwa is an acclaimed playwright whose works have enjoyed widespread international success.
His acclaimed play Second Thoughts has been staged in Nigeria, toured extensively in the United Kingdom and the United States, and recently completed performances across five UK cities—Brighton, Scarborough, Leeds, Droitwich and Bradford—with additional performances planned.
His internationally celebrated play Palm Tree in London has been performed in Nigeria, Philadelphia (USA) and several cities throughout the United Kingdom.
Looking ahead, Iheuwa is preparing an international tour of Colours, the highly anticipated sequel to Palm Tree in London, with performances scheduled across the UK, the United States and Canada in early 2027.
As Festival Director, Christopher Iheuwa has been instrumental in establishing the Yorkshire Film Festival as part of BAFA, ensuring strong artistic leadership, professional standards and valuable connections with national and international creative networks.
The festival is co-founded under the OAK Initiative by Dr. Olusola Kolawole, a distinguished business management professional, arts leader and Convener of the Bradford African Festival of Arts.
A graduate of the University of Bradford, Dr. Kolawole combines extensive expertise in business management, leadership and arts festival development. His vision has been central to creating an inclusive international festival that celebrates creativity, diversity and collaboration while strengthening cultural links between Yorkshire, Africa and the wider global community.
Hosted in the vibrant cultural city of Bradford, the Yorkshire Film Festival seeks to become one of the UK's leading international film festivals by providing a platform where local, national and international filmmakers can connect, collaborate and showcase exceptional work.
The Yorkshire Film Festival aims to:
- Showcase bold, original films that transcend geographical, cultural and linguistic boundaries.
- Champion emerging filmmakers, students, young actors and underrepresented communities by creating accessible pathways into the film industry.
- Position Yorkshire as a globally recognised destination for filmmaking, innovation and cultural excellence.
- Encourage meaningful collaboration between established industry professionals and the next generation of creative talent.
"We are not simply creating another regional film festival—we are building an international gateway," said Christopher Iheuwa, Festival Director.
"Our vision is to place Yorkshire firmly on the global film map while creating life-changing opportunities for local filmmakers. We want creatives from every corner of the world to see Yorkshire as a welcoming, diverse and world-class destination where stories are discovered, celebrated and shared."
Even before its inaugural event, the Yorkshire Film Festival has attracted submissions from filmmakers across every inhabited continent, demonstrating significant international interest. The festival has received a particularly encouraging number of entries from students and emerging filmmakers, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the next generation of creative voices.
The launch has received support from a number of respected regional and national organisations, with invited representatives including:
- Arts Council England
- University of Bradford
- Bradford Metropolitan District Council
- Bradford UNESCO City of Film
Reflecting on the significance of the festival, Dr. Olusola Kolawole said:
"As a graduate of the University of Bradford, this represents a proud homecoming. The Yorkshire Film Festival embodies the values that define Bradford and Yorkshire—innovation, creativity, diversity and excellence. We are creating a platform where emerging talent and established professionals stand together, learn from one another and build lasting creative partnerships."
Beyond celebrating cinema, the Yorkshire Film Festival is expected to deliver lasting cultural, educational and economic benefits for the region by:
- Raising the international profile of Yorkshire as a destination for filmmaking and creative investment.
- Providing filmmakers with global exposure, networking opportunities and access to industry professionals.
- Supporting students, emerging creatives and underrepresented communities through mentorship and professional development.
- Encouraging cultural tourism and contributing to the continued growth of Yorkshire's creative economy.
- Strengthening partnerships between filmmakers, educational institutions, funding bodies and creative organisations.
As part of the Bradford African Festival of Arts, the Yorkshire Film Festival marks an exciting new chapter in Yorkshire's creative landscape—one that celebrates storytelling without borders while firmly placing Bradford at the centre of international cultural dialogue.
For media enquiries, interviews and festival information:
Website: www.yorkshirefilmfestival.org
Email: info@yorkshirefilmfestival.org
Festival Date: 4 August 2026
Venue: Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
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