JOURNALIST TURNED film director Jesse Quinones has said it was an ‘honour’ to be asked to be a patron for the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF).
Quinones, 35, formerly a news writer at the Voice Newspaper, was revealed as the festival’s choice last month.
Established in 2005, BUFF was initially formed to showcase urban independent cinema in the absence of any such state-sponsored activity in the UK. According the organisations website they are now officially the leading film festival for diversity in the world.
Having taken to documentary making and film production, Quinones says BUFF were one of the first organisations to support his move in to directing films.
“For me it was an incredible honour because that festival has been one of the most supportive through my career up to this point,” said Quinones.
He added: “Last year my feature film Calloused Hands won best feature film and best director. They have given me so much exposure that its nice to be a part of the BUFF family, selecting films for future festivals coming up next year. Its just an incredible honour.”
As well as directing films Quinones is a lecturer at the Metropolitan film school where he runs the documentary course. The Miami born Londoner is excited about his role as patron as it gives him the platform to ‘grow the next generation’ of budding film directors and documentary makers.
Earlier this year Addie Akinrinade was appointed as the second festival director in BUFF’s history, succeeding the founder, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, who was at the helm for 10 years.
In May 2016, Metro.co.uk ranked the British Urban Film Festival as the number one film festival for diversity to attend in the world in 2016, coming above the Urbanworld Film Festival, the New Orleans Film Festival, The Hollywood Black Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival.
Quinones said it was a great time to be a part of a growing market place and the future was bright for those producing diverse and vibrant content.
“Emmanuel is the main man at BUFF and he champions all types of films and gives people a chance to shine.
“I’d like to really help in the process to identify others who could benefit from that.”