A film inspired by Luton’s viral moment with Coldplay took the top prize at the final Bute Street Festival, as the town’s much-loved celebration of film, music, art and performance wrapped its last edition before a two-year hiatus.
The Orange Weekend, by Jasbir and Jaspal Nangla, won Best Film for its joyful documenting of Luton hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2024. The three-day music festival in Stockwood Park culminated when Chris Martin performed a specially-written song called ‘Orange’ in honour of the town and Luton Town Football Club — a cheeky nod to a local campaign to get Coldplay to change the lyrics of their smash-hit ‘Yellow’, due to its association with rival football club Watford.
The win capped off a packed weekend of screenings, live performances and exhibitions that drew crowds to The Hat Factory and Luton Library Theatre from 31 July to 2 August, as Bute Street Festival signed off after seven years at the heart of the town’s cultural calendar.
Since launching in 2018, Bute Street Festival has earned British Independent Film Awards-qualifying status, spotlighted underrepresented voices and platformed emerging talent while turning Luton into a summer hub for creative exchange. This year’s farewell edition stayed true to that mission — and culminated in a lively awards ceremony recognising the outstanding work showcased across the 2025 programme.
Other winners included Beyond the Rush by Niya Taylor, which was awarded Best Breakthrough Film for its exploration of the decline in Luton’s Caribbean culture and the impact of defunded community spaces. Best Artist went to Garry Young, Best Music to Toria Akin, and Joke Amusan took home the Thameslink Art Award for visual storytelling. Lost Dog by Simon and Paul Wade received the Justin John Doherty Award for cinematic innovation, and Ruby Phelan won the Director’s Choice Award for The Woman in the Wardrobe.
“This final edition is a thank you to everyone who’s been part of it — artists, volunteers, audiences and the wider Luton community,” said festival founder and creative director Benjamin Cyrus-Clark. “What began as a small, scrappy idea has grown into something that’s connected people, challenged assumptions and celebrated the beauty of difference.”
The 2025 programme put local voices centre stage. Highlights included A Winter of Luton Wildlife, a short film made with nine local schools using hidden cameras to capture the town’s urban nature; Whatever They’ll Hate You For, Be Proud, a music video by Luton-born Ryan Prazer that champions individuality and belonging; and Home Sweet Home, an illustration and storytelling project by Srea Repospolo, which explored food, identity and cultural roots through community workshops.
Netflix filmmaker and Luton local Declan Burley also returned to his roots for a live talk about his creative journey from Barnfield College to international streaming success, sharing insights alongside his manager Luke Lamontagne-Dwyer.
Throughout the weekend, exhibitions by artists Silvia Lerin, Ana-Maria Vaduva, Victor Buehring, Louise Lahive and more transformed The Hat Factory into a buzzing creative space. A standout moment came on Saturday with the unveiling of Silvia Lerin’s Colourful Curtains, a new installation following her recent commission on the Silver Street exterior of the Luton Point shopping centre.
Although this edition marks the final Bute Street Festival until 2028, organisers say the spirit of the event is far from over. Plans are underway to explore new forms of cultural organising that remain rooted in the festival’s mission: to amplify marginalised voices, foster connection and build an inclusive creative culture from the ground up.
