Community: Becoming Black and British comes to Leeds

Hyde Park Picture House | Friday 21st November 2025

Leeds will host a powerful evening of film, music, and community on 21st November 2025 at Hyde Park Picture House, as Community: Becoming Black and British arrives in the city. This special screening is part of The World Reimagined’s Triangle of Unity programme, and will be presented in collaboration with DOMA. 

Directed by Gomolemo Nyakale, Community: Becoming Black and British – Leeds shines a light on the lived experiences of Black communities in Leeds and the positive influence of community organisations and cultural pioneers. Nyakale, an award-winning filmmaker and visual storyteller originally from Johannesburg, is celebrated for his deeply human approach to capturing identity, migration, and belonging. His previous works have screened at international festivals and focus on community empowerment and heritage preservation.

The Leeds edition highlights the city’s trailblazers and cultural icons, including Arthur France MBE, founder of the Leeds West Indian Carnival and Khadijah Ibrahiim, poet and artistic director of Leeds Young Authors. Together, their stories illustrate the strength, creativity, and leadership that have defined Leeds’ Black community for generations. 

As part of the project, four local young people were mentored by industry experts, equipping them with the skills to film, conduct interviews with local community members and play a vital role in shaping the documentary, capturing powerful conversations with elders and children of the Windrush generation from Leeds’s Caribbean community. 

The Leeds premiere will be presented alongside two additional short films curated by We Are Parable, including the screening of David Oluwale – His Life and His Legacy, a short film reflecting on the enduring impact of David Oluwale’s story on the city and the nation. Together, the films explore resilience, history, and future visions of Black British identity.

Following the screenings, audiences will be invited to an engaging Q&A session, offering space for reflection and dialogue. The evening will also feature Maestro Still Rising, a conversation with Michelle Gayle (CEO, The World Reimagined) and singer Kele Le Roc (Basement Jaxx) who will perform as well as take us on a journey from her origins through to her ups, downs and remarkable resilience. Tickets are Pay What You Can and available via the Hyde Park Picture House website.