Brighton & Hove Doc Club Screening: 'Black is Beautiful': The Kwame Brathwaite Story plus Q & A

Brighton & Hove Doc Club is a new monthly screening series presented by TARA Films in collaboration with POST. The first six-film season, Photography Meets Film, will explore the relationship between still and moving image through feature documentaries directed by, or about photographers. The season runs from September 2026 - February 2027.

The next film in the series is Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story, screened as part of the Photoworks Festival 2026, linked to the theme Un/stable: Lands, Anxieties, Dreams.

The screening commences at 6.30pm. We will be holding a 30 min Q & A with Director Yemi Bamiro and Producer Joanna Boateng at 8.15pm

Everyone knows the phrase 'Black is Beautiful', but few know of the man who helped popularise it. Little known Harlem-based photographer, freedom fighter and activist, Kwame Brathwaite took 500,000 photos across his 70-year career, devoted to celebrating the joy and beauty of African-American life. This feature documentary tells the story of Kwame and the 'Black is Beautiful' movement.

Kwame Brathwaite’s impact on Black culture is impressive. Yet his achievements went unrecognised for many years. Bringing his story to screen, this film honours his creativity, and features insights from Gabrielle Union, Alicia Keys and Jesse Williams.

Directed by Yemi Bamiro, co-written by Otto Burnham & Yemi Bamiro, produced by Joanna Boateng, Lizzie Gillett, Ian Bonhôte, Andrew Calof.

Images courtesy of the Kwame Brathwaite Archive.

“To be free and Black is political. To capture for all eternity the beauty and the freedom of Blackness is the most radical act there is.” Gabrielle Union

We look forward to seeing all film and photography buffs at the Brighton & Hove Doc Club screenings!

Refreshments will be available.