Happy Mothers Day! What a week for women. What a week for African women!
As the world zooms in on the triumphant feat of Black Panther reaching its $1 Billion goal to become Marvel’s 5th biggest grossing film of all time, we can not help but notice the African talent that played a major part in the success of the hit movie.
Lupita Nyongo set the trend of buying theatre tickets to enable hundreds of black girlsto see the movie, which encouraged other celebrities and local communities to do the same.
The striking presence of Danai Gurira and Florence Kasumba on screen, with their decorated bold bald crowns demonstrated the indigenous, traditional and majestic essence of African hair and beauty styling for a modern audience. Women everywhere have been sharing the meme and gif of Danai throwing her wig into the face of a white man, taken from the infamous fight scene in the casino.
And this week in London, on International womens day, our team was at the British Urban Film Festival, the only African-owned film festival in Great Britain to witness the announcement and trailers of phenomenal female filmmakers being awarded, nominated and championed with the honour of screening their films at the festival.
Here’s the highlights:
Amma Asante was announced as the Honorary Award recipient at this years BUFF Awards. The Honorary Award is bestowed onto an individual that has served over 15 years in the film and TV business and has made an outstanding contribution to the industry. Amma exemplifies this. Her thought provoking, often racially-charged movies bring audiences to tears (often of joy) in a bid to acknowledge history and create a space to explore socially change. Asante is the director of ‘A way of life’, ‘Belle’ and ‘A United Kindgom’ which stars Nigerian actor, David Oyelowo.
BUFF’s Best Actress nominee Joselyn Dumas is no stranger to the spotlight. A formidable activist for womens issues and a talented self-taught actress, Dumas starred in ‘Potato Potahto‘ directed by Shirley F Manso, screened at the festival last september, which is also up for Best Feature film.
Tickets for the awards can be found here
The opening night film premiere for the 2018 festival is from newcomer, Clare Anyiam-Osigwe. The Writer/Director/ Actor debuts her feature film ‘No Shade‘ a romantic drama that explores love and marriage with colourism as the central heartbeat starring breakout actress, Nigerian born Adele Oni. The film marks a first for the festival, as a BUFF Originals production. The founder of the festival, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe produced the flick. Watch the film on Tuesday 5 June at Rio Cinema 8pm and Saturday 9 June at Curzon Soho 3.30pm. Tickets can be booked here
Destiny Ekaragha‘s short film ‘Mumatar‘ dubbed ‘a comedy about a kick-ass sypermom’ and Tayo Odesanya’s ‘Wireless‘ features in the Women In Film screening on Thursday 7 June Curzon Soho 6pm. Tickets can be booked here
Tracy Kiryango short film ‘Colour Blind‘ is an official selection for the Black Film Matters screening on Thursday 7 June 12-4pm at Black Cultural Achives in Brixton. Joining her is Ndrika Anyika‘s ‘Young, Gifted and Grinding‘ documentary highlighting Black british female entrepreneurs. Tickets can be booked here
The Life and Death short film screenings on Wednesday 6 June welcomes Christiana Ebohon-Green‘s ‘Support‘ which stars two Nigerian actors Adelawo Adedawo and David Ajala. Tickets can be booked here
It’s fair to say that Disney has profited tremendously from the global support for Black Panther. We hope the same level of enthusiasm is afforded to up and coming and established black filmmakers from the diaspora and with such an exciting programme championing African artists this summer, the only place to be in London is at BUFF!
For more information visit www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk