BT British Urban Film Festival reveals September Schedule

Urban independent cinema arrives at the BT Tower this September as festival director Addie Akinrinade announced this year’s selections and schedule for 2017, sponsored by BT.

Akinrinade confirmed that the London premiere of Free In Deed will open this year’s film festival at the BT Tower on Wednesday the 6th of September and will feature a live Q&A with actor David Harewood who stars in the lead role as a pastor with healing powers set in an American black church.

The premiere will be hosted by Metro film editor Larushka Ivan-Zadeh.

Also to be screened at the world famous venue will be the London premiere of Chapter and Verse on Friday the 8th of September. The movie centres around a reformed gang leader from Harlem, played by Daniel Beaty, and also stars Omari Hardwick and Emmy award-winning actress Loretta Devine. Both Beaty and director Jamal Joseph (a former black panther) will feature in the Q&A.

The premiere will be hosted by Paulette Harris-German.

Akinrinade also announced that the 5th annual renewal of the Live Script Readings is to take place on Thursday the 7th of September. The readings will be hosted by actor Wil Johnson.

The festival programme will also feature the London premieres of Blue Hollywood (directed by Francesco Gabriele), hair documentary Back to Natural, and Stay Woke (a documentary from B.E.T about the Black Lives Matter movement).

On Saturday 9 September, Africa features heavily in the line-up with the documentary Black Stars of Highlife and African rom-com Potato Potahto (starring O.C Ukeje & Joselyn Dumas).

The premiere will be hosted by Capital Xtra’s Abrantee Boateng.

Other festival highlights include an acting masterclass with Ashley Walters on Monday the 11th of September.

Actress Kim Vithana features on the panel of an agents masterclass with Sandra Thompson-Quartey, Shakyra Dowling and Nina Lee on Tuesday the 12th of September.

This years shorts include:

STREETS PAVED WITH GOLD – directed by Victor Richards
SEE YOU YESTERDAY – directed by Stefon Bristol
JOCELYN – directed by Rachel Wang and Mark Currie
CREAM – directed by Palesa Lebona
BLACKLAND – directed by John Sailsman
JUNIOR – directed by Pearl Gluck
STAY WOKE – directed by Laurens Grant
IN HUMANS WE TRUST – directed by Tim Kent
ADAM AND EVE – directed by Jermaine Wong
CATFORD JESUS – directed by Dan Jones and Chris Michael Fretwell
NEON – directed by Mark J Blackman
LEROY – directed by Marley Morrison
PARALLEL UNIVERSES – directed by Liran Nathan
WHEN KIDS GROW UP -directed by Shahaub Roudbari
AMBER – directed by Andi Osho
THE DEAL – directed by Johann Myers and Mark Oliver
ART OF LOVE – directed by Quason Matthews
BROKEN – directed by Daniel Alexander
REMEMBRANCE DAY – directed by Rob Woods
HUM – directed by Stefano Nurra
PADLOCK MEN – directed by Lewis T Powell
DEIRDRE – directed by Jo Southwell
WE LOVE MOSES – directed by Dionne Edwards
NEW NEIGHBORS – directed by E.G Bailey
MORNING GLORY – directed by Robert Bertrand
5 X 5 – directed by Kate Herron
THIS IS MY STORY – directed by Vicki Kisner
BLOOM – directed by Jesse Gassongo-Alexander
ARCADE GIRL – directed by Tze Hao Wong
THE DATE – directed by John Dunn


THE BT BUFF AWARDS

The nominees for the 2017 BUFF Awards were announced by actors Sam Benjamin & Kyla Frye who will be hosting the ceremony at BT Tower on Sunday the 10th of September.

Amma Asante’s A United Kingdom picked up 3 nominations along with critically acclaimed boyhood drama To Dream plus crime thrillers The Intent & Residential.

A United Kingdom received nods for best film, best actor and best actress for director Amma Asante, David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike.

To Dream picked up nods including best film, best actor and best male emerging talent for Nicole Albarelli, Ed Hayter and Freddie Thorp.

The Intent received nods including best film, best actor and best actress for co-directors Femi Oyeniran & Kalvadour Petersen, Dylan Duffus and Jade Asha.

Residential also picked up nods for best film, best actor and best actress for director KD Pascal, Aubrey Whyte and Juanita Ingram.

Noir thriller Panic picked up 2 nods including best actor and best actress for David Gyasi and Pippa Nixon respectively.

In the best short film category, Cover Me (directed by Jo Southwell) is up against Hush (directed by Alex Campbell), Signs of Silence (directed by RM Moses) and Lifeline (directed by Sam Jones).

Cover Me is also represented in the female emerging talent category picking up a nomination for lead actress Isis Davis who goes up against Maia Watkins (Soldier), Kate Lassman Long (The Backseat) and Krystine Atti (The Tinder Problem).

In the male emerging talent category, Aubrey Whyte (Residential), Freddie Thorp (To Dream), Elijah Baker (Signs of Silence) and Louis Chandler-Joseph (Questionable Prejudice) received nominations.

10 awards will be handed out on the night including 3 script awards and the BUFF honorary award which will be presented to actor Ashley Walters. Live music comes from Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Kele Le Roc.

The full list of nominations

Best Short Film

Cover Me (directed by Jo Southwell), Hush (directed by Alex Campbell),
Signs of Silence (directed by RM Moses), Lifeline (directed by Sam Jones)

Blessing Anyiam-Osigwe Award for Best Actress

Pippa Nixon ('Panic'), Rosamund Pike ('A United Kingdom'), Jade Asha ('The Intent'),
Juanita Ingram ('Residential')

Best Actor

Dylan Duffus ('The Intent'), David Oyelowo ('A United Kingdom'), David Gyasi ('Panic'),
Ed Hayter ('To Dream')

Best Film

A United Kingdom (directed by Amma Asante), The Intent (co-directed by Femi Oyeniran & Kalvadour Petersen), To Dream (directed by Nicole Albarelli), Residential (directed by KD Pascal)

Best Live Script (winners)
'Draw' (written by Isis Davis), 'Joe Pair' (written by Adriel Leff),
'Sara White and the Seven Socialities' (written by Sinitta Monero)

Best Female Emerging Talent

Isis Davis ('Cover Me'), Maia Watkins ('Soldier'), Kate Lassman Long ('The Backseat'),
Krystine Atti ('The Tinder Problem')

Best Male Emerging Talent

Elijah Baker ('Signs of Silence'), Louis Chandler-Joseph ('Questionable Prejudice'),
Aubrey Whyte ('Residential'), Freddie Thorp ('To Dream')

BUFF Honorary Award: Ashley Walters

Most festival events will be charged at £15 and £20 with tickets for the BUFF Awards starting at £125. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk/tickets 

BT partners with BUFF to sponsor the British Urban Film Festival

London, 26/05/17

BUFF – the leading film festival for diversity in the world – has found a new home for its annual showpiece after BT agreed to sponsor the seven day event for 2017.

Under the terms of the deal, from September this year, BT will host every film festival event (including the BUFF Awards) at the iconic BT Tower in London, a venue which isn’t usually open to the public. BT will also share the awards ceremony on BT.com and will also have the opportunity to screen films acquired from BUFF on the BT TV store platform.

For BUFF, it is a major coup and comes just 12 months after coming top in a global list of diverse film festivals to attend.

BUFF founder and CEO Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe said: “There’s nothing quite like going to the cinema to experience film though we can now safely say that come September there will be nothing quite like going to the BT Tower to experience film. The BT British Urban Film Festival will enable BT to showcase the breadth of great creative talent from the leading film festival for diversity in the world”.

Tony Singh, Business Affairs and Business Development Director, BT TV said: “We are delighted to be working with the British Urban Film Festival. It is leading the way in celebrating diversity in film, and as the UK’s fastest growing TV platform, this is a great festival we are proud to support. Our famous BT Tower, which has long been a part of TV broadcasting in the UK, will be the home of BUFF, and will allow film fans to enjoy the movies and experience the unique views across London.”

Audiences will be required to pay a minimum of £15 to attend a festival event when tickets go on sale at the end of June. Tickets for the BUFF Awards will be charged at £125 per person.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About BUFF

The British Urban Film Festival was founded by award-winning film exhibitor Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe in July 2005. To date, the festival has screened over 500 films, securing broadcast platforms for BAME and urban independent writers, actors, actresses, producers and directors on the BBC i-player, Channel 4, Community Channel and London Live. In September 2015, BUFF launched its’ own awards and honours system to showcase creative talent that has been championed by the festival.

For more information, visit www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk

About BT

BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services.  BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group’s reported revenue was £24,062m with reported profit before taxation of £2,354m. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe announced as new Friday night film host on Colourful Radio

Watch promo trailer HERE:

Meet The Critics will launch on 2 June and will be fronted by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, the award-winning founder of the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF).

The show’s target audience will be family-oriented millenials, mainly of African Caribbean descent aged between 25- to 54-years-old. Anyiam-Osigwe will host Meet The Critics from 21.00-22.00 pm on Friday evenings. Joining him on each show will be 4 pundits from the world of film as they debate a range of topics circulating the film business and the business of film.

Meet The Critics will launch with its’ own Twitter page (@_MeetTheCritics) plus on-air advertising on Colourful Radio which is available to listeners around the world at colourfulradio.com and also via the Colourful App and the Tunein App. Listeners across London, Manchester and Birmingham will also be able to tune in via DAB digital radio.

Ends


Notes:

About Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe

The British Urban Film Festival was founded by award-winning film programmer Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe in July 2005. To date, the festival has exhibited over 500 films, securing broadcast platforms for BAME and urban independent writers, actors, actresses, producers and directors on the BBC i-player, Channel 4, Community Channel and London Live. In September 2015, BUFF launched its’ own awards and honours system to showcase creative talent that has been championed by the festival.

About Colourful Radio

Voted “Best Radio Station” at the Urban Music Awards (2015), Colourful Radio is a unique family-friendly digital radio station for lovers of music and conversation. The conversation strand provides a platform for news and information, views and stories reflecting an increasingly diverse demographic, while the comprehensive music mix stretches numerous genres. Listen in at colourfulradio.com or get the Colourful App.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BUFF YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!

www.youtube.com/buffenterprises

Diversity is in the business of making news every single day. And so are we. Starting this month – we’re getting social with the launch of our #BigBUFFGoal - 100,000 YouTube subscribers. Why 100,000? Well why not? 
 

As part of our #BigBUFFGoal we’re asking everybody in our networks to subscribe to our YouTube channel. And we mean everybody. Writers, Producers, Directors, Companies, Actors, Actresses, Agents, Patrons and other personalities who have been part of the British Urban Film Festival past and present since 2005.

Writers, Producers and Directors who have already submitted for this year’s British Urban Film Festival, we’re asking you to subscribe to the leading film festival for diversity in the world.

When we reach our big goal of 100,000 subscribers, the big reward for those who have submitted is a money back guarantee on their entry fee.

We repeat – for those who have already paid their £17 entry fee, you will get your money back once we have reached the total of 100,000 YouTube subscribers. For everyone else who wishes to enter BUFF 2017 after the goal has been reached, submission will be absolutely free of charge.

To our 15,000 Twitter followers, 1800 newsletter subscribers and 1500 Instagram followers – we invite you to take part in our Big BUFF Goal. Every subscription counts.

Even if you’re not a film BUFF (no pun intended), be part of something big, become immortal and do your bit for the film industry. Find our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/buffenterprises

Click on Subscribe. Job Done. Tell Someone Else.
 

You’ll find thousands of hours of video content from the 12 year BUFF archive including festival Q&A’s, script readings, ident videos, short film selections, movie trailers, music videos, panel discussions, red carpet interviews and broadcasts of the BUFF Awards.
 

The more subscribers we get, the more content we share – and it’s all absolutely free.

If it’s diversity that you’re after, there’s only one destination – www.youtube.com/buffenterprises
 

Subscribe NOW.

BUFF AWARDS 2016: REPLAY (first broadcast on Showcase TV, 21/11/2016)

And that was the awards that was the BUFF Awards 2016 - for those of you who can't live without catch-up TV here is a full edit of the highlights which went out on Sky and Freeview. Thanks to all of you who tuned in on the 21st of November and thanks to all the boys and girls who made the buffness happen behind the scenes!

Watch this year's BUFF Awards in all it's glory - HERE: https://youtu.be/fr72ykR_BPw

‘Emerging Talent’ shortlist for the BUFF Awards 2016 Announced

Winner to be announced at the BUFF Awards ceremony on 18 September.

Laya Lewis, Abrantee Boateng, Johnny Sachon and Joseph Marshall have been shortlisted for the British Urban Film Festival Best Emerging Talent Award, sponsored by BBC Films.

The award, celebrating the work of emerging talent in urban independent film, is in its’ second year having been won in 2015 by writer/director Vicki Kisner.

This year’s winner will be announced on 18 September at London’s Hilton Hotel in Tower Bridge, the setting for the BUFF Awards 2016, hosted by Adam Deacon and Femi Oyeniran.

Speaking at this year’s BUFF media day, Deacon (who himself won a BAFTA rising star award back in 2012) said: “I’m looking forward to being part of this year’s BUFF Awards. It’s important to support the up and coming urban British talent as they don’t always get the support that’s needed from the mainstream”.

Laya Lewis has been nominated for her lead role in ‘Beverley’, a short film set in 1980’s Leicester with a cast also including Vicky McClure (‘The Secret Agent’).

Abrantee Boateng has been shortlisted for his debut acting role in ‘Invisible Men’, the closing night movie at last year’s British Urban Film Festival which has since been acquired by Amazon Prime.

Johnny Sachon is in the running for the award for ‘Shadows’ a sci-fi short film which he wrote, produced and starred in.

Joseph Marshall has been nominated for his debut acting role in ‘Stealing Moses’, a short film which premiered at last year’s British Urban Film Festival and has since been acquired by London Live.

Christine Langan, Head of BBC Films, said: “It is important to recognise and celebrate emerging British talent across the urban independent film industry. BBC Films is proud to be part of the ‘Best Emerging Talent Award’ and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of all the incredible people involved.”

BUFF founder & CEO, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe said: “The British Urban Film Festival has long been a champion of new talent, showcasing the likes of Destiny Ekaragha, Jesse Quinones and James Webber, and we are delighted to be partnering with BBC Films on this award to introduce a new emerging talent to the industry.”

For more information: 

Jo Clare PR 

07930 897 028

hello@joclarepr.com
 

@joclarepr 

About BBC Films

BBC Films is at the forefront of independent filmmaking in the UK, developing and co-producing around twelve films a year. Headed up by Christine Langan, BBC Films was awarded the Michael Balcon BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2015.

Recent releases include Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, currently in cinemas, Louise Osmond’s documentary Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach, Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins, John Crowley’s BAFTA and Academy Award nominated romantic drama Brooklyn and Nicholas Hytner’s BAFTA nominated comedy drama The Lady in the Van.

Upcoming releases include Ricky Gervais' David Brent: Life on the Road (in cinemas on 19^th August), and Philippa Lowthorpe’s Swallows and Amazons(also in cinemas on 19^th August). Films currently in production include Amma Asante’s A United Kingdom. 

bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms 

Twitter @BBCFilms

www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk 

Twitter @buffawards 

@buffenterprises 

British Urban Film Festival unveils 2016 line-up

The 7-day event features its’ biggest ever line-up of selections with 43 screenings.

BUFF 2016 begins on Wednesday 14 September with the World Premiere of “To Dream” (starring Adam Deacon, Diana Vickers, Ed Hayter & Freddie Thorp) at Odeon Camden Town, directed by newcomer Nicole Albarelli. Other highlights include:

The 2nd annual British Urban Film Festival awards from Hilton London Tower Bridge on Sunday 18 September hosted by Adam Deacon & Femi Oyeniran with live music from Heather Small (Sponsored by BBC Films).

3 Nights of Short Film Screenings on Friday 16 September (Love Shorts at Odeon Camden Town), Saturday 17 September (Saturday Night Shorts at Odeon Camden Town) and Monday 19 September (Monday Night Shorts at Odeon Swiss Cottage).

2 Days of Free events at Channel 4 in Westminster: Live Script Readings on Thursday 15 September & the Actors Bootcamp with Wil Johnson (King Lear) on Friday 16 September.

Another first time director Kenneth ‘Demus’ Pascall makes his official debut in the festival with the closing night film ‘Residential’ (Odeon Swiss Cottage, Tuesday 20 September), a London based drama about Jamaicans and the world of crime and consequences. Former BBC Radio 1 DJ, Chris Goldfinger, is amongst the films’ producers.

BUFF’s stellar line-up of presenters include Larushka Ivan-Zadeh (Metro), Chizzy Akudolu (Holby City), Danny Leigh (Film 2016), Clare Anyiam-Osigwe, Andrew Castle (Broadcaster), Paulette Harris-German, Kingpin, Shay D, Jacqueline Shepherd (Sky), Travis Jay, Akua Gyamfi (The British Blacklist) and Abrantee Boateng (Capital Xtra).

The festival runs from 14-20 September.  Here’s the full schedule:

ALL FILMS ARE RATED 15. ADULT DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER: 

“TO DREAM” (UK & WORLD PREMIERE)

(OPENING NIGHT GALA HOSTED BY LARUSHKA IVAN-ZADEH WITH Q&A)

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 7.00 – 10.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER: 

THE BUFF 2016 LIVE SCRIPT READINGS (AT CHANNEL 4)

“IMAGINE THIS” BY SADE ADENIRAN

“LIVERPOOL 81” BY SAM BENJAMIN

“ADAPT OR DIE” BY ADRIEL LEFF

3 X 20 MINUTE PERFORMANCES HOSTED BY JACQUELINE SHEPHERD WITH Q&A

(FREE VIA ONLINE BOOKING)

CHANNEL 4 HEADQUARTERS, 124-126 HORSEFERRY ROAD, SW1P 2TX. 1.00 – 3.00PM

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER:

“QUESTIONABLE PREJUDICE” + “ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS”

(DOUBLE HEADER HOSTED BY ABRANTEE BOATENG WITH Q&A)

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 5.00 – 7.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER:

“PANIC” (HOSTED BY ABRANTEE BOATENG WITH Q&A)

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 8.00 – 10.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER: THE BUFF 2016 ACTORS BOOTCAMP (WITH WIL JOHNSON)

TALK + MASTERCLASS HOSTED BY CLARE ANYIAM-OSIGWE WITH Q&A

(FREE VIA ONLINE BOOKING)

CHANNEL 4 HEADQUARTERS, 124-126 HORSEFERRY ROAD, SW1P 2TX. 11.00AM – 2.00PM

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER: LOVE SHORTS 

(HOSTED BY CLARE & EMMANUEL ANYIAM-OSIGWE WITH Q&A)

1. “ROOM MATES”

2. “THE TINDER PROBLEM”

3. “AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING”

4. “NEW MESSAGE”

5. “BLIGHTY BFF”

6. “NO GUARANTEE”

7. “SWIPING MR RIGHT”

8. “SIGNS OF SILENCE”

9. “A MANNER OF SPEAKING”

10. “LOVE AND MORE IMPORTANT THINGS”

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 4.00 – 6.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

“EMOTIONAL BACKGAMMON” + “LOVESWAG”

(DOUBLE HEADER HOSTED BY CHIZZY AKUDOLU WITH Q&A)

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 6.30 – 11.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

“THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI”

(ENCORE TRIBUTE SCREENING HOSTED BY DANNY LEIGH WITH Q&A)

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 2.00 – 4.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

“TAKING THE PLUNGE” + “DIVIDED TIME” + “BUT NOT FOR ME”

(TRIPLE HEADER OF AMERICAN FILMS HOSTED BY PAULETTE HARRIS-GERMAN WITH Q&A) ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 4.00 – 7.30PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER: SATURDAY NIGHT SHORTS

(HOSTED BY EMMANUEL ANYIAM-OSIGWE & PAULETTE HARRIS-GERMAN WITH Q&A)

1. SOLDIER

2. TOWN VS GOWN

3. CATFACE

4. DIEMBE

5. LUCID

6. COVER ME

7. AMUKTA

8.THE BACKSEAT

9. THE LIGHTS

10. THE KING

11. AWOL

ODEON CAMDEN TOWN, PARKWAY, NW1. 8.00 – 11.00PM (£15)

ALSO INCLUDES AFTERPARTY AT THE JAZZ CAFE

SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER: THE BUFF AWARDS 2016 (SPONSORED BY BBC FILMS)

HOSTED BY ADAM DEACON & FEMI OYENIRAN

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS HEATHER SMALL & WIL JOHNSON

HILTON HOTEL TOWER BRIDGE, TOOLEY STREET, SE1. 4.00PM – 1.00AM

(£139 PER PERSON)

MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER:

MONDAY NIGHT SHORTS (HOSTED BY KINGPIN & SHAY D WITH Q&A)

1. “CHILD IN THEIR EYES”
2. “5 MINUTES”
3. “GUN IN A TRAINER BOX”
4. “GHOSTS IN TIME”
5. “HYSTERIA”
6. “HUSH”
7. “LIFELINE”
8. “THE FIGHTING IRISH”
9. “THREE MINUTE WARNING”
10. “LAST LEG”

ODEON SWISS COTTAGE, FINCHLEY ROAD, NW3, 7.00 – 10.00PM (£15)

TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER: ALTHEA + RESIDENTIAL (DOUBLE HEADER)

“ALTHEA” – HOSTED BY ANDREW CASTLE

“RESIDENTIAL” (UK & WORLD PREMIERE)

CLOSING NIGHT GALA HOSTED BY AKUA GYAMFI & TRAVIS JAY WITH Q&A

ODEON SWISS COTTAGE, FINCHLEY ROAD, NW3. 7.00 – 11.00PM (£15)

Booking information can be found on the homepage at www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk

BBC Films on board for the BUFF Awards 2016

BBC Films on board for The BUFF Awards 2016 

British Urban Film Festival (BUFF), the leading BAME film festival in the UK, today announce BBC Films is set to sponsor its showpiece film awards in September. 

The deal marks the first time that the two organisations have worked together. Previously, the festival has had on-air partnerships with Channel 4, London Live (ESTV), Community Channel (Media Trust) and Showcase TV on Sky. The second annual British Urban Film Festival awards will take place at Hilton Tower Bridge on 18th September in London.

The ceremony (to be hosted by Adam Deacon and Femi Oyeniran) will award writers, producers and directors whose work has been showcased by BUFF over the past 12 months. 

“We are proud to be part of the British Urban Festival and look forward to celebrating all of the fantastic talent involved." said head of BBC Films Christine Langan.

Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, the founder and CEO of BUFF, added "This deal signals the start of an exciting new era. In 2015 we celebrated our 10th anniversary with the first ever BUFF awards. That event plus the long and illustrious history of the festival shows how far we have come in championing diversity. The BBC has an integral role to play in showcasing talent within the diversity spectrum and we are delighted by their passion and their commitment to the British Urban Film Festival."

For more information: 

Jo Clare PR 

07930 897 028

hello@joclarepr.com

About BBC Films

BBC Films is at the forefront of independent filmmaking in the UK, developing and co-producing around twelve films a year. Headed up by Christine Langan, BBC Films was awarded the Michael Balcon BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2015.

Recent releases include Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, currently in cinemas, Louise Osmond’s documentary Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach, Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins, John Crowley’s BAFTA and Academy Award nominated romantic drama Brooklyn and Nicholas Hytner’s BAFTA nominated comedy drama The Lady in the Van.

Upcoming releases include Ricky Gervais' David Brent: Life on the Road (in cinemas on 19^th August), and Philippa Lowthorpe’s Swallows and Amazons (also in cinemas on 19^th August). Films currently in production include Amma Asante’s A United Kingdom, Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, winner of the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or 2016, Ritesh Batra’s The Sense of an Ending, Gurinder Chadha’s Viceroy’s House, Lone Scherfig's We Happy Few, Mick Jackson's Denial and James Marsh’s The Mercy.

BBC Films’ eclectic back catalogue includes Mr Holmes, Far from the Madding Crowd, Pride, Saving Mr. Banks, Philomena, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, My Week with Marilyn, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Jane Eyre, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Made in Dagenham, An Education, In the Loop, Fish Tank, My Summer of Love, Truly Madly Deeply, and Billy Elliot.

bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms 

Twitter @BBCFilms

'To Dream' to open 2016 British Urban Film Festival

Nicole Albarelli’s debut feature - starring Ed Hayter, Freddie Thorp, Adam Deacon and Diana Vickers will premiere at the British Urban Film Festival in September.

To Dream - the London based drama from Anomaly Cinema is to open this year's British Urban Film Festival (14-20 Sep). 

Ed Hayter and Freddie Thorp star as two self-destructive teenagers who won’t let anything come between their friendship and their ultimate plan, but when dysfunctional family life becomes intolerable, loyalty leads one to make a choice that will change their lives forever.

Adam Deacon (Anuvahood) and previous X-Factor finalist Diana Vickers also star in the Neo-noir drama from first-time director Nicole Albarelli, born in Baltimore but now residing in London. The movie marks the screen debut of Freddie Thorp who has just completed filming for upcoming Hollywood blockbuster Overdrive, starring alongside Sean Eastwood, son of actor Clint Eastwood. To Dream also marks Adam Deacon's return to the big screen after a 2 year hiatus. Deacon won the BAFTA rising star award in 2012. 

The full festival programme for BUFF 2016 (including over 40 selections) will be released on 21 July. To Dream will receive its' UK premiere at Odeon Camden Town on 14 September. 

Festival director, Addie Akinrinade said: "To Dream is one of those urban, English, drugs, sex, rave, drink, gritty films. It's well written, very natural and real. Adam Deacon is brilliant as usual, the two leads are fantastic and Diana Vickers does amazingly". 

British Urban Film Festival tunes in with Colourful Radio Broadcast Deal

Colourful Radio has signed a deal with the British Urban Film Festival to broadcast live and exclusive coverage of BUFF's flagship events from the headquarters of Channel 4.

Voted by the public as “Best Radio Station” at the 2015 Urban Music Awards, Colourful Radio will be sending a team of presenters to Channel 4’s headquarters in Westminster, the host venue for BUFF media day on Thursday 21 July. From there, the station will broadcast live coverage of the BUFF 2016 press conference including interviews with writers, producers, directors and special guests.

The broadcast deal also includes coverage of the festival’s script reading competition - now in its’ 4th year and supported by Channel 4. This year will see the first time that the annual script readings will be broadcast live on Thursday 15 September.

Throughout August and September, Colourful Radio will also host live interviews across a number of its’ regular shows with some of the key personalities who will be featuring in this year’s festival and awards.

Listeners in the UK and around the world will be able to tune in live via the Colourful Radio website (colourfulradio.com). In addition, the station will provide its own automatic listener catch-up service delivered within 15 minutes of the end of each broadcast and accessible in just two clicks; a customised and unique mobile App allowing access to live stream, catch-up and podcasts, plus 24/7 social media engagement.

Officially ranked as the world’s leading film festival for diversity (by Metro.co.uk) BUFF 2016 will launch at Odeon Cinemas in Camden Town on Wednesday 14 September and run for 7 days with screenings also taking place at Odeon Cinemas in Swiss Cottage. The festival’s annual awards ceremony will be taking place at Hilton Tower Bridge on Sunday 18 September.

“We are very pleased that Colourful Radio will be broadcasting our key BUFF events at Channel 4, giving us the unique opportunity to introduce coverage of our event to listeners for the very first time,” said Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, founder and chief executive officer of the British Urban Film Festival.

“Our status as the leading BAME film festival in the world affords us the privilege of working with great brands synonymous with diversity like Channel 4 and Colourful Radio. Today’s deal is a great deal for audiences around the world and for the filmmakers and scriptwriters who will continue to be front and centrestage of BUFF’s urban film coverage”.

Kofi Kusitor MBE, the founder of Colourful Radio, said… "The most diverse radio station in London supporting the leading film festival for diversity? That's a no-brainer."

Adam Deacon & Femi Oyeniran to Host 2016 British Urban Film Festival Awards

London, 16 May 2016: 

The British Urban Film Festival has today announced that Adam Deacon and Femi Oyeniran will host the British Urban Film Festival Awards on 18 September 2016 at the Hilton Hotel in London's Tower Bridge. It will be the 1st time that Hilton Hotels are hosting the ceremony. It will also mark the presenting debuts of Deacon and Oyeniran. They are also BUFF film festival patrons.

Adam Deacon said: "I'm looking forward to being part of this year's BUFF Awards. It's important to support the up and coming urban British talent as they don't always get the support that's needed from the mainstream".

Femi Oyeniran said: "I am delighted to be presenting this year's BUFF Awards with my friend and long-term collaborator Adam Deacon. I hope I am able to bring wit and charisma to the evening's proceedings".

Organisers have also confirmed Heather Small, the former lead singer of M People, as this year's headline act. In 2000 Small released her debut solo album Proud along with a single of the same name, closely affiliated with the British Olympics team.

The British Urban Film Festival Awards will be broadcast in the autumn, exclusively on Sky Showcase in the UK and complimented by extended digital coverage from BUFF online.

The 2016 British Urban Film Festival Awards Nominations Announcement will take place on Wednesday 1 June.

The British Urban Film Festival Awards are the showpiece event in its' annual film festival. The event honours emerging and established film and writing talent whose work is synonymous with the festival and has been showcased in recent years. 

www.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk will feature red carpet highlights and exclusive photography and backstage interviews, as well as updates across its social networks including Twitter (@buffawards) Instagram (@buffenterprises), and Facebook (British Urban Film Festival.)

The official hashtag is #BUFFAWARDS2016.

Wil Johnson to be honoured with British Urban Film Festival award

London, 9 May 2016:

The British Urban Film Festival will honour actor of stage and screen Wil Johnson with the highest accolade at the British Urban Film Film Festival Awards on Sunday 18 September.

The BUFF honorary award is given to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or theatre.

Last year, the late American actor and comedian Richard Pryor was posthumously honoured for his work in film and television with daughter Rain Pryor receiving the accolade on his behalf. 

Wil Johnson said: "Wow... It is an honour to be a recipient of such a prestigious award. It means a lot to me and to all those who have chosen our glorious profession. I have been in this profession for 31 years and the fire is still burning bright, even more so as i get older. Thank you BUFF and i look forward to the main event later on this year. God Bless".

Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO of BUFF, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Wil Johnson is to receive the 2016 honorary award. Wil is an actor of great standing whose talent and significant work on stage, on screen and in cinema has made him one of the pre-eminent figures in my lifetime. His 3 decade career is an inspirational story for young actors starting out in the industry today.

By recognising Wil with the highest accolade at the British Urban Film Festival Awards on Sunday 18 September, BUFF will be honouring one of the UK's most respected actors.”

Johnson's first professional acting role came in the play Four Seasons at the 1985 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. For the rest of the 1980s he made minor appearances in television series such as Casualty and London's Burning.  From 1994 to 1995 he played the supporting role of Detective Constable Michael Skelton in Cracker. In 2000, he appeared in the BBC One television pilot Waking the Dead, as Detective Sergeant Spencer Jordan, a member of a specialised police unit tasked with investigating "cold cases". Waking the Dead returned for a complete series in 2001, and Johnson remained a main cast member until the series ended in 2011.

From 2000 to 2002, he appeared as Steve Robinson in Paul Abbott's popular drama series Clocking Off From 2001 to 2002, he appeared as a main cast member in two series of the BBC's Babyfather. In 2004, Johnson played the title character in the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company's Othello. He also played Marcus Kirby in the BBC One school-based drama Waterloo Road.  In 2011, Johnson appeared as 'Sean Dolan' a Consultant paediatrician in BBC One's Holby City. From 2012 - 2014 Johnson he appeared as a main cast member in ITV's Emmerdale as single father Dominic "Dom" Andrews.  

He has also co-produced a film "Disorientated Generation" in which he plays a Nigerian man living in London. The film was partially funded by Enfield Council, with a small grant from the UK Film Council (now defunct). His numerous list of film credits include Babymother (1998), Emotional Backgammon (2003), Adulthood (2008) Colourblind (2009) In a Better World (2010) Pimp (2010) Anuvahood (2011) and Amina (2012).  

The 2016 British Urban Film Festival Awards take place in London on Sunday 18 September. The ceremony will be broadcast later in the Autumn, exclusively on Sky Showcase in the UK. 

ENDS


Follow the BUFF awards at our new Twitter handle HERE: 

BRITISH URBAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2016 DATES‏

The British Urban Film Festival has announced its 2016 dates in the UK’s Autumn festival event calendar.

 

The 11th edition of the UK’s leading BAME film festival will return on September 14-20. The festival will move from the Genesis Cinema in east London, which hosted the last three editions from 2013 to 2015, to the Odeon cinemas in Camden Town and Swiss Cottage. The festival recently signed a multi-year deal to screen films with the multiplex chain.

The festival has also appointed Adeyinka Akinrinade as its’ new festival director. Adeyinka becomes only the 2nd festival director in its’ 11 year history succeeding Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe who has been at the helm since July 2005. 

Ms Akinrinade said: “Independent films are the heart of the industry and it’s extremely important we are able to offer filmmakers a platform to showcase their work. This is why the British Urban Film Festival is key in supporting up and coming talent as well as being the home for urban film coverage in the UK. 

 

We have a very exciting programme of events this year, with some real BUFF talent. This year’s festival cannot be missed.”

The programme for the seven-day festival will be announced later this summer from Channel 4’s headquarters as part of the annual BUFF media day.

Previous festival premieres have included Montana, Calloused Hands, Melvin: Portrait of a Player, Lapse of Honour, The Ballad of Johnny Windows, David is Dying, That Daughter’s Crazy, Traveller, Invisible Men and The Trials of Muhammad Ali. 

The festival has been attended by filmmakers, patrons and guests including Clint Dyer, Aml Ameen, Femi Oyeniran, Zawe Ashton, Charlie Hanson, Andre Royo, Parminder Vir, Larushka Ivan-Zadeh, Brian Bovell, Mo Ali, Cass Pennant, Arnold Oceng, Ellen Thomas, Tamer Hassan, Mohammed George, Rain Pryor, Nicholas Pinnock, Cassam Looch, Shone Romulus and David Essex. 

British Urban Film Festival appoints Adeyinka Akinrinade as new festival director

With a CV including 2 stints at the Cans Short Film Festival in Luton, Akinrinade will oversee the day-to-day running of the annual BUFF showpiece. The British Urban Film Festival has appointed Adeyinka Akinrinade as its’ new festival director. Adeyinka becomes only the 2nd festival director in its’ 11 year history succeeding Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe who has been at the helm since July 2005. The former BUFF protege (who worked on the festival in 2013 and 2014) will take up the post on June 18. Adeyinka, who arrives at the company from her position as trainer producer at the Full House Theatre in Bedfordshire, will oversee BUFF’s communications strategy, working closely with the BUFF patrons, film producers and other key partners. She will report to Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe who becomes CEO. Also joining the festival team behind the scenes will be Chanice Hird and Semaicy Crabbe both of whom worked on the festival in 2015. Chanice will be working on her 3rd film festival having started out with BUFF in 2014.  Ms Akinrinade said: “Independent films are the heart of the industry and it’s extremely important we are able to offer filmmakers and scriptwriters a platform to showcase their work. This is why the British Urban Film Festival is key in supporting up and coming talent as well as being the home for urban film coverage in the UK.   We have a very exciting programme of events this year, with some real BUFF talent. This year’s festival cannot be missed.”  Ends Full terms and conditions about submissions for BUFF 2016 can be found HERE