21/06/2013
For immediate release
Organisers of the British Urban
Film Festival have today announced that ‘Calloused Hands’ (based on a true
story) and directed by former print journalist Jesse Quinones, will be the
opening feature film for its’ annual showpiece later this summer. In doing so,
the film will be having its European and International premiere as it was first
screened at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival.
The
film stars Andre Royo from HBO’s ‘The Wire’ and centres on a 12-year-old mixed
race boy from Miami (Luca Oriel) with aspirations to be a baseball player. He
is abused by his mother's boyfriend Byrd (played by Royo), and neglected by his
mother Debbie (Daisy Haggard). He manages to forge his own path in life when
his long-lost grandfather Solomon (Hans Howes) insists he study for his Bar
Mitzvah.
It’s also been announced today
that ‘Hoorah’, the latest short film directed by actor Aml Ameen, will be
premiering as the curtain raiser to ‘Calloused Hands’ on the opening night of
the festival, to be staged at Odeon West End in Leicester Square on Friday 6
September. The gala screening marks a busy end to the year for the former ‘Kidulthood’
star who is also to feature in upcoming titles ‘The Butler’, ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘Evidence’.
BUFF 2013 starts with a day of
free events at broadcaster Channel 4 on Thursday 5 September including panel
discussions on film distribution and entrepreneurship plus the inaugural BUFF
live script readings.
Commenting on today’s
announcements, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, director of the British Urban Film
Festival said: “We’re excited to give audiences the first opportunity to
experience the changing face of urban independent cinema from the heart of
London’s West End. Year on year, the festival strives to bring audiences the
films that they deserve which continue to embrace and champion diversity in all
its forms”.
Full details about this year’s
festival programme will be unveiled at a press conference at Channel 4 in early
July. Tickets go on sale later next month.
#BUFF2013
Follow @buffenterprises @AmlAmeen
@JesseQuinones81 @CallousedHands1 on Twitter
The 2013 British Urban Film
Festival runs from 5-9 September.
For more information contact pressoffice@buffenterprises.co.uk
