How Did We Get Here? Migration, colonialism & the rise of the far-right

Join Hekayyatna for a thought-provoking town hall thinking about “How Did We Get Here?” In this gathering, we invite you to journey through the history and current state of immigration to the UK, with a particular focus on the SWANA South West Asia and North Africa region.

As we explore the deep roots of British colonialism and its lasting impact, we’ll examine how the British Empire treated its subjects and the complex question of citizenship that has drawn so many to the UK. We’ll also reflect on the reverberations of Enoch Powell’s infamous speech and how it has shaped modern anti-immigration sentiment and rising xenophobia.

Please arrive 15mins early for a prompt start

Hosted by Hekayyatna

The London Migration Film Festival, which is holding its 10th annual edition from 27 November-3 December 2025, aims to challenge the narrow rhetoric on migration that often sees migration, and people on the move, framed in reductive and dehumanising binaries.