BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, the genre-defying debut film from artist Kahlil Joseph, takes over 180 Studios in London, from 27th February to 27th March 2026 for a month-long cinema and exhibition residency — becoming the first film to launch the venue’s newly opened cinema space.
Presented by the culturally-led independent distribution company Rich Spirit, the residency is staged as a hybrid experience: part screening, part installation, inviting audiences to engage with the film and art, creating space for reflection, conversation and collective viewing within a gallery-cinema environment.
Adapted from Joseph’s acclaimed moving-image installation first shown at the Venice Biennale, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is a distinctive cinematic experience that mirrors the sonic textures of a record album. A debut feature that unfolds layered examination of the Black experience, blending archive, original footage and cultural reference points into what’s described as a “fugitive newscast.” It moves across Black history, humour, media and memory, interweaving fictional and historical figures to explore past, present, and future, in an immersive narrative that spans 247 years across land and sea.
The film currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Underground Cinema Presents: BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, 27 February – 27 March, 180 Studios
Screenings: Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays Tickets: From £12.50
BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions
Film Synopsis: Adapted from Kahlil Joseph’s renowned video art installation, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions is a distinctive cinematic experience that mirrors the sonic textures of a record album, weaving fiction and history in an immersive journey where the fictionalized figures of W. E. B Du Bois and Marcus Garvey join artists, musicians, Joseph’s family, and even Twitter chats, in a vision for black consciousness.
Director: Kahlil Joseph Writer: Kahlil Joseph, Saidiya Hartman, Irvin Hunt, Kristen Adele Calhoun, Elodie Saint-Louis, Sheba Anyanwu, Madebo Fatunde Producers: Kahlil Joseph, Amy Greenleaf, Nic Gonda, Onye Anyanwu, James Shani Cast: Shaunette Renée Wilson, Kaneza Schaal, Hope Giselle, Peter Jay Fernandez, Penny Johnson Jerald, Zora Casebere
About
Kahlil Joseph is an American filmmaker and video artist whose work stands out for its fusion of narrative cinema, music, and fine art, creating visually stunning explorations of Black culture, identity, and history. Born in Seattle in 1981, Joseph gained recognition for his innovative approach to storytelling, often using fragmented narratives, poetic imagery, and dreamlike sequences to evoke emotional depth and cultural resonance. His work blends the line between music video and art installation, making him a unique voice in contemporary visual culture.
Joseph first garnered widespread attention with his music videos for artists like Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar, FKA twigs, and for his significant contributions to Beyoncé’s visual album, Lemonade, where he developed a signature style that is lyrical, rhythmic, and visually experimental.
His direction of Kendrick Lamar’s m.A.A.d. (2014), a short film inspired by Lamar’s album good kid, m.A.A.d city, became a defining moment in his career, as it demonstrated his ability to fuse music with a compelling cinematic aesthetic that reflected the complexities of urban life, memory, and Black identity.In addition to music videos, Joseph has gained acclaim in the art world for his video installations, such as Double Conscience (2015) and BLKNWS (2019). Double Conscience, created for the installation of Kendrick Lamar’s m.A.A.d., was exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and was praised for its ability to layer cultural memory, personal experience, and the socio-political realities of Black life in America.
His installation BLKNWS, which reimagines the format of a news broadcast, was shown at the Venice Biennale and Tate Modern, and critiques the representation of Black culture in mainstream media while offering an alternative, empowering narrative. Joseph’s work often centers on the African-American experience, drawing from the rich history of Black music, cinema, and everyday life. His visual language incorporates slow-motion shots, intimate portraits, and surreal imagery that evoke a sense of both nostalgia and futurism. Through his films and installations, Joseph creates a multi-sensory experience that challenges traditional forms of representation and storytelling.Kahlil Joseph’s work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions around the world, including the Tate Modern, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Venice Biennale. His ability to craft deeply emotional, visually captivating narratives that push the boundaries of both film and fine art has solidified his position as one of the most exciting contemporary filmmakers and video artists today.
Rich Spirit is a curatorial film label amplifying voices from the global diaspora through cinema, culture, and community.
Launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, the label led the acquisition and rescue of The Apprentice — reclaiming Ali Abbasi’s political drama from a contentious lawsuit and shepherding it to release. Co-distributed with Briarcliff Entertainment, the film went on to receive Independent Spirit, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nominations for Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan.
Rich Spirit expanded its slate with Kahlil Joseph’s BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions, partnering with the artist to secure the film’s rights back from A24/Participant Media and bring his long-awaited debut feature to audiences worldwide.
The label will release up to four films a year while continuing to invest in original development and commissioned works.
