This project then led him to produce and direct more iconic works including his first feature “Burning an Illusion (1981)” which called “one of the most important feature films ever made in Britain”. It was only the second feature film to be directed by a Black director. His other films include Blood Ah Go Mad,  Time and Judgement (1988), and Looking for Love (2015) amongst others. One of his other memorable works, The Story of Lovers Rock, which will be showcased at the September edition of Cinema for the Culture, explores this sub-genre of reggae,  black love, and social activism.

Menelik will forever be remembered as a giant of culture and film. Mojisola Sonoiki, the founder and executive director of the African Film and Arts Foundation said the following about Menelik:

“I started my film festival life with Menelik huddled up in a room in his office in East London as he was launching his film festival, the Black Filmmakers Magazine (BFM) International Film Festival which I was a founding member of . Over the years I stayed in touch with Menelik and even wrote a piece for his magzine. Being a part of the global Black Indie film circuit, it was almost impossible not to come across someone who knew him or at least knew about his work. That showed the depth of his influence. The last time I reached out to Menelik was last year and I reminded him of the massive impact he left on me and how he was one of my inspirations to continue producing film festivals.

Menelik understood from an early age, that the only way our narrative as Black people globally could change, was only if we were in control of telling our own stories, from our own perspective.

Rest in peace Menelik and thank you for the great work you left us. Your legacy is set in stone”