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The BFM IFF was established in 1998 to fill a void within the UK, on the film exhibition scene. At the time, there was a complete absence of Black World Cinema in independent cinemas and multiplexes. There were audiences within the African and Caribbean community for films that reflected their cultural experience and a lack of screening opportunities for Black British UK filmmakers who were marginalized. The festival was therefore established to make a difference.

BFM IFF is an annual week long event in London. It has now been moved from its former position in September to November (2008). The festival has attracted up to 4000 people at its events. Between 30 - 60 films (fiction, shorts, documentaries, animation and experimental) depicting the experience and culture of people of African origin from across the world are screened. Many of the titles shown are premiers, without distribution in the UK or are followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. Programming priority is also given to UK made films which reflect Black British themes. An important feature of the Festival is the Short Film Awards. Kodak, Equity and Soho Images support these awards. Another feature of the programme are seminars and workshops aimed at enhancing the awareness, skills and networking opportunities of those seeking to enter the broadcast and film industry. These events are held in partnership with ITV, the BBC, Skillset, the UK Film Council and Channel Four. In addition, the festival has hosted several other events in the past including a formal and informal networking events for filmmakers and industry professionals and DJ nights.

The first festival was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA). Since then the festival has been held at other West End venues such as the Metro (The Other Cinema), Curzon Soho, Odeon Covent Garden, and Prince Charles Cinema.

Over the years the festival has been able to attract Hollywood actors such as Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars, Lady Sings the Blues) Sheryl Lee Ralph (Moesha, Mighty Quinn) in addition to TV star Eriq La Salle (Coming to America, ER). Additionally, it has received international filmmakers from the US, Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

Supporters and sponsors of the festival in past years have included the UK Film Council, US Embassy, BBC, ITV, Skillset, Moneygram, London Development Agency (LDA), Film London, The Independent and Greater London Authority (GLA). The festival has attracted supporting statements from former Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Bfm International Film Festival has been significant in introducing UK audiences to otherwise unknown cinema from across the African Diaspora. The festival has collaborated with regionally based organizations to host mini festivals in Birmingham and Bristol; and has helped to establish other events such as the Black Film Festival in Liverpool, Positive Negative Festival (Sheffield), Welsh Black Film Festival, Blue Sky (Reading). In 2000 it toured a collection of UK work at the Brooklyn Museum of Arts.

The Festival has become a resource for international festivals in Europe like the Milano African Film Festival, Black Film Festival (Amsterdam) and the African Diaspora Film Festival (NY) Pan African Film Festival (LA) in the US.

On a local level, the Festival has been a key resource for community groups, organisations and educational institutions especially during Black History Month. We have worked with Citibank, Camden Council, the British Museum, Southwark Council and Waltham Forest College. In this way, the festival continues to build and create new opportunities and audiences.

Now in its 10th year, the festival is an established part of the cultural landscape of London.