Beautiful Futures Festival

In a world teetering on the brink, rife with divisions and grappling with unparalleled challenges, the time is ripe for unity, understanding, and transformation. 

This urgency gave birth to the Beautiful Futures Festival 2023.

Beautiful Futures is a 3-day celebration and rallying cry, spotlighting fresh creations by Black artists in the West Midlands. This festival is poised to shape the future of culture and creativity in the 21st century, amplifying our voices, our journeys, and our stories, all in the name of a world that leaves no one behind.

From mesmerising music to powerful spoken word, captivating film, and side-splitting comedy, there's something here for everyone.

Born amidst the surging movements for racial equality and justice, the MTAM Pledge has grown from a promise into an awakening, and now, a full-fledged movement.

Together, we'll embark on a journey of exploration, seeking innovation, justice, and imagination, united through intersectionality and solidarity.

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Thu 19 October, 12 - 5pm

The Heartbeat of Black Creativity in the Region

Black artists, creatives and those working in the arts and cultural sector are invited to an afternoon of talks, workshops and networking, designed to nurture the Black creative ecosystem within the arts industry.

This session is open to Black artists and creatives working in all areas of the arts and creative industries. 

We have adopted the Black Ticket Project‘s definition of ‘Black’: as of Black African, Caribbean, Afro-Latinx and African-American heritage, including those of mixed-Black heritage who identify as such.

Free - click here to register.

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Fri 20 October

9.30am -  5.30pm 

The Beautiful Futures Summit – A Loom of Interconnected Stories
In partnership with Culture Central

Day two is a rallying point for the sector. The annual summit unites MTAM pledge organisations and those who are interested in assessing progress over the past year. We acknowledge the pioneering groundwork laid by the Black creative workforce in initiating the MTAM pledge, and we are going deeper. Derived from the insights of Radical Listening Week, which elevated underrepresented voices, we will move beyond discourse to actionable plans.

The day's agenda will focus on exploring the data from the MTAM pledge from progress to learnings, we will explore the impact of the legacy of colonialism, social and climate justice, new ways of gathering resources, re-imagining a future that enables us all to thrive.

This session is for collaborative problem-solving. What are the pragmatic tools and strategies that will redefine our sector for the better? How can we cultivate an industry landscape that is not merely inclusive but also innovative and transformative?

We invite you to bring your expertise, insights, and readiness for action. The objective is clear: to co-create a roadmap for a culture sector that is forward-thinking, inclusive, and leaves no one behind. 

It’s a day for examining our journey, holding ourselves accountable, and dreaming and planning the future.

Expect networking opportunities, stalls, and positive vibes throughout the event.

Free - click here to register for the Summit.

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Fri 20 October

7pm - 9.30pm

Cassie’s Comedy Corner

Tickets £5 in advance, £8 on the door.

A brand new comedy show, set to put the best of the UK’s underground and established comedians at the forefront. This uproarious showcase of wit and humour, hosted by the incomparable Cassandra Maria, took the city by storm in June 2023 with its first sell-out show.

Click here to book now on the Hippodrome website.

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Sat 21 October

12 - 9pm 

Our Region, Our Talent
The final day belongs to the artists, the creators, the visionaries of our region who started this movement. We’ll be showcasing some of the amazing Black creative talent from our region featuring original film, poetry, music, drama and conversations. Expect performances, networking, stalls, and positive vibes throughout the event.

Tickets £5 in advance, £8 on the door.

Buy three sessions and get two additional sessions free. Buy all six sessions for £19.98

Click here to book now on the Hippodrome website.