S.O.U.L. Film
Black film, taken seriously.
Screening Our Unseen Lives
We have been screening Black British film and connecting the people who make it since 2014 — quarterly at first, then annually as S.O.U.L. Fest. We also advise the organisations that say they want to find, develop and keep Black talent, and we do it with the receipts from having actually done it.
What we do
Three ways to work with us
Consultancy
Inclusion and talent development for the screen industries. Programme design, hiring and commissioning review, retention — plus one-to-one coaching for filmmakers.
See the workChairing
Q&As, panels, industry days and post-screening conversations. Rooms where the questions are better than the usual ones.
Book a chairS.O.U.L. Cast
Conversations with the people making Black British film and television — and with the ones deciding what gets made.
ListenWho runs this
Iyare Igiehon
Co-founder, Director & Executive Producer
Two decades in the UK screen industries, on both sides of the institutional wall.
Most recently Creative Diversity Partner at the BBC, working on the delivery of the corporation's £112m diverse programming commitment and its 20% production inclusion target — measures since taken up across UK broadcasting. Before that, an executive role at the BFI covering inclusion events strategy and national access funding, having first programmed the BFI's Future Film sessions at BFI Southbank for three years.
Better known to some as a broadcaster: presenter and producer for BBC 1Xtra, 6 Music and Radio 2.
In 2014 I co-founded S.O.U.L. to advocate for Black practitioners in British film and television. In 2019 it led a consortium of Black film organisations in launching S.O.U.L. Fest.
That combination is the offer: I have designed and delivered inclusion strategy inside two of the country's largest screen institutions, and built the independent alternative from nothing.
In their words
What it does for people
I first met Iyare when I was a student studying animation, twelve years ago, wandering the corridors of the BFI. He got me involved in S.O.U.L., where I met a huge number of filmmakers and got exposed to the industry in an immersive way. Over the years he has introduced me to people who have massively helped my career and who I have since collaborated with. Now, as I enter my tenth year working in the industry, I still learn so much every time we talk.
Nathan WilkesLead Creative Producer, Blue Zoo AnimationIyare's gift is this: to break down doors. He never forgets a face and never fails to advise. With his help I was recommended for a job that was utterly impossible to be considered for, let alone acquire. He turns you from a faceless CV into someone worth calling, talking to, and working with.
Edwin LerewService Co-ordinator & Academic Board Member, King's College LondonIyare has had a tremendous positive influence on my career. His support has been invaluable, and his advice and feedback have consistently been essential to the success of my projects. I'm grateful for his guidance and mentorship.
Corey BovellActor, Writer, Producer & Production ManagerThe festival
S.O.U.L. Fest 2026
5–13 September 2026 · London · Newcastle · Birmingham
The eighth edition, BAFTA and BIFA qualifying. Founded by S.O.U.L. Film with The British Blacklist and We Are Parable, and programmed each year with organisations serving Black communities and the film and television industries.
The programme drops this summer. The mailing list sees it first.
Writing
The work, as it happens
Notes from running an independent festival and building careers without institutional backing — the decisions, the trade-offs and what they cost. Written while it's still undecided rather than tidied up afterwards.
Get in touch
Start a conversation
Consultancy, chairing, festival partnerships and press. We reply to everything within two working days.