EXCLUSIVE: The New Black Film Collective’s annual XPO has moved its 2026 event from March to April 17-19 due to the threat of strike action on the London Underground.
The event was set to take place this week at London’s Rich Mix cinema in East London, where it has been based since its second edition in 2023.
However, it was called off last week just ahead of the news the proposed transport strike had been cancelled.
The April event will now take place for the first time at East London’s BLOC cinema, which is part of Queen Mary University of London.
The XPO’s launch event is going ahead tonight as planned tonight (March 23) with a screening of Black Is Beautiful: Kwame Brathwaite Story, at the headquarters of broadcaster Channel 4.
Film London, Warner Bros, the Film and TV Charity and Channel 4 are among the organisations backing the free-to-attend event.
“It is with deep regret that we have postponed TNB XPO due to the anticipated tube strike action, which would have directly impacted the live events programme,” explained Priscilla Igwe, founder and CEO of The New Black Film Collective.
“We made the decision ahead of confirmation to avoid the risk of significant disruption to attendance. We have put significant work into curating an inspiring and ambitious programme, and accessibility remains at the heart of everything we do, including ensuring people are able to get to us."
Previous editions of the convention, which aims to bolster Black-led film production, distribution and exhibition, have featured speakers including BFI’s director of inclusion Melanie Hoyes, BFI Filmmaking Fund director Mia Bays, Film and TV Charity CEO Marcus Ryder and Warner Bros Discovery’s CrewHQ training and skills director Rico Johnson-Sinclair.
"It is vital that we continue our mission to create a space where commissioners, studios, creatives and industry leaders can connect with Black talent, helping to shape the future of film, television and gaming," said Igwe.
Organisers said the programme will be unveiled soon.
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