34 Films from 12 Countries: The Rapport Festival of Film Returns to the Brixton Ritzy

The Rapport Festival of Film returns to the iconic Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton for its 2026 edition, running from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March 2026. Curated by Lara Samuels (Artistic …

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Mar 6, 2026 - 10:47
34 Films from 12 Countries: The Rapport Festival of Film Returns to the Brixton Ritzy

The Rapport Festival of Film returns to the iconic Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton for its 2026 edition, running from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March 2026.

Curated by Lara Samuels (Artistic Director of Rapport Festival)   The festival promises three days of powerful storytelling, dynamic discussions, and community celebration, showcasing the very best of Black independent cinema from the UK and around the world.

This year’s programme of 34 films spans eight distinct themed blocks, offering a deep dive into the complexities of the African diaspora experience.

Representing 12 countries and territories (including the UK, France, USA, Canada, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Brazil, Kenya, and South Africa).

The festival presents a global conversation on identity, resilience, tenacity, heritage, and love.  From the streets of Brixton to the townships of South Africa and the farms of the American Midwest, and all of in-between, these stories connect the African diaspora through film.

A Programme of Thematic Depth and Discovery

The 2026 festival opens on Friday 27th March with Random Shorts – Block 1: Dreams, Defiance & Reality, a block featuring A Passion’s Night Bloom – a Brixton-based story of a girl clashing with her Ghanaian parents over her dancing dreams.

Of previous Random Shorts programmes, audiences have said “It felt like a DJ set” – a testament to the energy and flow Lara Samuels brings to her curation.

The opening night continues with Block 2: Inner Worlds & Triumph, exploring themes of masculinity, self-acceptance, and cultural identity, followed by an Opening Night panel discussion with filmmakers.

Saturday 28th March is packed with diverse programming, beginning with a Documentary Showcase that includes the UK’s Swim Sistas, narrated by Academy Award nominee Naomie Harris (Moonlight), and House of Aama: Threads of Legacy, which explores fashion, grief, and ancestral reverence.

The showcase also features My Dad, Guyana and Me from returning festival favourites Noella Mingo and Damian Daniel, whose work has been featured in the festival on multiple occasions.

The later afternoon delves into tension and suspense with Block 4: Confrontation & Consequence, a block of hard-hitting dramas.

The day culminates in the Saturday Night Special – the Deptford/London-set crime drama Swordplay Volume 1, the festival’s singular feature presentation.  This gritty tale of brotherhood and betrayal inspired by Shakespeare’s Othello celebrates its festival premiere, followed by a filmmaker Q&A.

The final day, Sunday 29th March, explores internal landscapes with Block 6: Roots & Inner Struggle and a panel on mental health and diaspora.

The later afternoon is dedicated to stories of connection in Block 7: LOVE – Discovery & Legacy, featuring films from Canada, Jamaica, France, Kenya, and Brazil.

The festival closes with Block 8: UK Finale, spotlighting homegrown and female created films with NOIR, Ayomikun, and the closing film reload, a story about a grassroots London DJ finding her voice.

Festival Highlights:

  • Opening Night: Random Shorts – a curation of short films
  • Documentary Showcase: Featuring powerful stories on heritage, resilience, and cultural survival
  • Saturday Night Special: The festival premiere of UK feature Swordplay Volume 1
  • Global Perspectives: Films representing the African diaspora from 12 countries and territories
  • Closing Night: A celebration of homegrown and female filmmakers

Lara Samuels, Festival Director told Brixton Buzz:

“For our 2026 edition, I wanted to create a programme that reflected the full spectrum of our African diaspora/Black storytelling – from the fantastical and dreamlike to the gritty and real.

 

With 34 films representing 12 countries, this lineup is a testament to the fearless creativity of filmmakers from across the diaspora.

 

Random Shorts has always been a favourite of mine to curate, it’s about creating an energy, a rhythm that carries the audience through the night. I’m honoured to bring powerful new voices and alternative perspectives to the Ritzy, Brixton.”

More info

Venue: Ritzy Picturehouse, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, London, SW2 1JG
Dates: 27-29 March 2026
Tickets: Available now at https://rapportfestival.com/festival-of-film-2026/

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