“He was this incredible giant of African and American art”: Yemi Bamiro and Joanna Boateng on Black Is Beautiful at London Film Festival 2025

Black Is Beautiful is a documentary tribute-feature of the life of activist, freedom fighter and photographer Kwame Braithwaite. Directed by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, the story pulls together archived footage and transformative memories that helped shape Black culture and brings his story back into focus.  

Born in 1938, Braithwaite made a huge impact within the arts and brought about the transformative movement Black Is Beautiful that charged through his photography and his art documenting life and culture in Harlem and Africa. This film brings that archive of work to screen and allows viewers to revisit the powerful impact of his activism and the beauty of creating social change.

The Upcoming had the privilege of speaking to Bamiro and producer Joanna Boateng about why they chose to make this documentary, their collaboration together and the importance of highlighting Braithwaite’s achievements.

Ezelle Alblas

Black Is Beautiful does not have a release date yet.

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival coverage here.

For further information about the event, visit the London Film Festival website here.