Actress Jo Martin was honoured with the British Urban Film Festival’s highest accolade at the BUFF Awards 2026, held at Genesis Cinema in London, describing the recognition as “a great honour” in a career spanning more than four decades across film, television and theatre.
Martin, best known for making history as the first Black actor to portray the Doctor in Doctor Who, received the BUFF Honorary Award from longtime friend and collaborator Clint Dyer in recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen and stage.
Speaking on the red carpet, Martin said: “If I’m being really honest, I’m overwhelmed. I’ve been a big fan of BUFF and their work. They’ve been going for 21 years now, championing the culture and doing the kind of work that needs to be done. So to be a part of it is a joy.”
One of the night’s major winners was It Comes in Waves, which secured a double victory, winning Best UK Feature (The Victor Adebodun Award) and Best Actor in a Feature for Adrian Walters.
Directed by Fitch Jean, the film follows a Rwandan refugee who becomes the sole caretaker of his younger sister after fleeing genocide in search of a better life in Canada. It also earned acclaim for its ensemble cast and emotional storytelling centred on family, resilience and survival.
The ceremony also paid tribute to prolific producer Charles Thompson, founder of the Screennation Film and Television Awards, who passed away last year at the age of 65. Family members, including his sisters, were in attendance to honour his legacy.
The BUFF Awards 2026 brought together leading figures from film and television, including Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Che Walker and Brian Bovell, and was hosted by Linda E, underscoring the festival’s continued commitment to celebrating diverse storytelling across short films, features and documentary work.
BUFF Awards 2026 – Full Winners
Best Short Film
Authors of the Estate (Abdou Cissé) – Winner
Every Time I See a Yellow Car (Matt Chandler)
Weight of the Soul (Maria Springis)
Spooky (Adeola Lawal)
Best Actress in a Short
Dammy Saint Clare (Ugly, Afro Hair) – Winner
Jyothi Janath (Who Are You, Nanu?)
Jude Mack (Bury Your Gays)
Marie-Pierre Nouveau (A Young Sofiane)
Best Actress in a Feature (The Blessing Anyiam-Osigwe Award)
Cimpaye Florence Maris (Small Gods) – Winner
Nendia Lewars (It Comes in Waves)
Best Actor in a Short
Ty Tennant (Every Time I See a Yellow Car) – Winner
Eiiji Okuda (Smile Shines Wet)
Noah Valentine (Squeaky Bum)
Jordan Kouame (The Truth About Space)
Best Actor in a Feature (The Anthony Adjekum Award)
Adrian Walters (It Comes in Waves) – Winner
Bizimana Hussain (Small Gods)
Best Feature (The Victor Adebodun Award)
It Comes in Waves (Fitch Jean) – Winner
Small Gods (Asher Rosen)
Best Documentary
The Engineer (Sam Alexander Reynard) – Winner
The Bridge (Jimmy Hedger)
Rise of the Legion (Adrian S. Woodard II & Adrian S. Woodard Sr.)
The Dying Trade (Jack Hancock-Fairs)
Best Soundtrack
Emoni Escobar & Adrian S. Woodard II (Rise of the Legion) – Winner
Eliott Delafosse (A Young Sofiane)
Caroline-Jayne Gleave (It Comes in Waves)
Felicia Atkinson (Small Gods)
Best Live Scripts – Winning Recipients
Color (Michael H. Moore)
Ms Mandy (Sophia Leonie)
AILM (Steven Brumwell)
Honorary Award Recipient
Jo Martin
Photo credits: Takiyah Majidah