Big Creative Education college recently welcomed Adjani Salmon, the BAFTA-winning writer, director, and actor behind Dreaming Whilst Black, for an inspiring guest speaker session that left students motivated and creatively charged.
Empowering Young Creatives Through Storytelling
Adjani Salmon’s visit to BCE was part of the college’s mission to provide real-world industry exposure to students pursuing careers in film, media, and creative arts. Known for his authentic storytelling and sharp humour, Adjani shared his journey from Jamaica to the UK, and how he transformed a web series into a critically acclaimed BBC3 show.
He encouraged students to focus on their creative voice, asking them to reflect on:
- What message they want to share
- How to stay true to their story and be authentic to themselves
- Who they are creating for
These insights aligned perfectly with BCE’s ethos of nurturing diverse creative talent and promoting inclusive storytelling. He praised the college’s values of integrity and authenticity and was also impressed that young people have the opportunity in lessons to reflect on their well-being and plan their careers as freelance creatives.
Breaking Into the UK Film Industry
Adjani spoke candidly about the challenges faced by Black creatives and working-class filmmakers in the UK. He highlighted the importance of resilience, community support, and self-belief in overcoming industry barriers. His advice to BCE students was clear: “Publish your work. Let the audience see it. That’s how you grow.”
This message resonated strongly with students studying film production, screenwriting, and digital media, many of whom are preparing to enter the competitive creative industries.
Interactive Q&A with Aspiring Filmmakers
The session included a dynamic Q&A where students asked Adjani about:
- Pitching ideas to producers
- Handling creative feedback
- Building a career in film and television
Adjani told students to “just make it”, whatever it is. Do it and get it out there. He spoke about the 24 short films he has produced before Dreaming Whilst Black made it big. This echoed
his BAFTA acceptance speech where he challenged the TV and Film Industry to seek out untapped talent on YouTube.
A Day to Remember at BCE College
Adjani Salmon’s visit was more than a guest lecture—it was a masterclass in creative courage, authentic storytelling, and career development in the film industry. His presence reinforced BCE’s commitment to providing students with access to leading voices in media and entertainment. And lots of students left with a selfie! Adjani was very generous in talking individually to our young people and we thank him enormously for his time.
Much love to our governor Amani Simpson for organising the guest lecture.
