The symposium also heard repeated calls for radical changes to hiring practices in the British film industry, particularly among executives and commissioners.
Concern was also expressed at the lack of opportunities for black British actors to work in the UK film industry.
Selma and A United Kingdom actor David Oyelowo called for more black-oriented historical and period films to help Britain understand “how it became what it is”.
Speaking at a symposium organised by the BFI Southbank on Thursday to mark the start of its three-month long Black Star season celebrating black acting, Oyelowo said: “People of colour have been expunged from Britain’s history.