Black Women in Cinema

Launch of a Life Time Achievement Award

We are proud to present the third edition of the Images of Black Women Film
Festival (IBW) which will take place at the Tricycle Cinema (London, Kilburn)
from the 2nd to the 4th of March 2007. The festival spans three inspirational days where amazing work by and about Black women will be showcased to increase knowledge of their role in cinema.

The most exciting feature of this year festival is the launch of a Life Time
Achievement Award, which this year is to be presented to Julie Dash, a prominent award-winning US film director. The Life Time Achievement Award includes the screening of the breathtaking “Daughters of the Dust”, Julie Dash’s cult film which has been placed in the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress. The film is regarded by many as being one of the most important cinematic achievements in Black Cinema in the 20th century.
The ceremony will end with a Q & A’s session with the director.

“Following the success of the festival and from the audience’s feedback of the
first two IBW Film Festival, we have decided to take the 2007 Festival one step further by introducing a symbolic award. It is, the first of such award in the UK film industry, recognising that Black women need special attention in order to overcome many of the barriers that they encounter to enter and sustain a presence in the film industry” said Sylviane Rano, one of the founders of the IBW film festival.

In addition, the IBW 2007 programme has an amazing spread of exciting
innovations including the commemoration of the abolition of the British Slave
Trade Act and a special Caribbean category, with particular focus on the themes of cultural identity. This year’s event promises to be an inspiring celebration of black female talent with an exotic festival after-show party.
Amma Asante, IBW 2005 UK patron said: "IBW is a wonderful organisation
because it seeks to acknowledge, celebrate and inspire! I believe that the entire movie industry benefits when the contributing voices are diverse and rich. It makes sense that black women should be included."

Special events include the Emerging Filmmaker Award showcasing winners of the short film competition; a fantastic line up of animations, story telling and a 3D animated workshop with the Children’s Corner. There is an exclusive selection of UK premieres of both films and documentaries from the Black Diaspora, Q & A’s, seminars and workshops by black women directors.

IMAGES OF BLACK WOMEN FILM FESTIVAL 2007: PROGRAMME
March 2007 will mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the English Slave Trade Act, this subject has been handpicked to open the festival, and features “Daughters of the Dust”, a masterpiece with remarkable scenes that shows the connection between the West African and African-American cultural and spiritual experience. A further commemoration with Remember & Reflect, includes a short film “Legacy” by Inge Blackman (UK), where the effects of slavery on intimate relationships in Black families is carefully explored; followed by a feature “Shared History“ by Felicia Furman (US), here we will witness whether it is possible for a group of African American families (slaves descents) and a white family (slave owner descent) to have an open and honest dialogue on the realities of their relationship forged through slavery. Inge Blackman will take part in a Q & A’s sessions after screenings.

The special Caribbean category, Caribbean Cousins features two cinematic
pieces embracing the traditions, language, lifestyle and culture of two Caribbean islands, Trinidad “Joebell & America” and Martinique “French wedding Caribbean style aka Zouk Mariage et Ouélé”. French Caribbean director Julius Amédé Laou as well as main actress Brigitte Damiens will take part in a Q & A’s. Special Caribbean will close with a French Caribbean Zouk Party organised in partnership with MBMB, a French Caribbean Charity based in London.

UK premieres include “Antonia” the third in a trilogy dedicated to feminine
archetypes by Tata Amaral one of Brazil most awarded filmmaker. Antonia
follows Um Céu de Estrelas (A Sky of Stars) (1997) and Através da Janela
(Through the Window) (2000). Critics elected Um Céu de Estrelas, her first
feature length film, as one of the three most important Brazilian’s films in the
90’s. Further screenings includes the awards winning “Tanayaradzwa” by
Tawanda Gunda Mupengo for Best Cinematography and Best Upcoming Actress at the African Oscars (African Academy Movie Awards). “Tanayaradzwa” is produced by filmmaker Dorothy Meck, the first Zimbabwean feature film in six years.

For the 2nd consecutive year children will have a special place with the Children’s corner, an explosion of short animated films that include “The Spacefish” by Alexandros Konstantaras a juxtaposition of animation and live-action techniques.

The director is one of the co-winners of Images of Black Women Best
International Short Film Award 2006 for “Light in Shadow”. IBW cash prize
contributed to the production of ”The Spacefihs” his latest film. Children will also have a fun 3D animation workshop by award winning director Rachel Wang (Best Romantic Short Film Award at International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival, Phoenix AZ & Best International Short Film Award at Images of Black Women Film Festival for “Heyday”). The Children’s Corner will close with Grace Quanah’s (aka Akuba) African-centred storytelling performance. Julie Dash will present this year’s The Emerging Filmmaker Award, along with several prizes to be made to the short film competition winners.

WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES: TRAINING FOR WOMEN FILMAKERS

The Images of Black Women (IBW) Film Festival will host two seminars conducted by established black women directors. Dami Akinnusi from Darkling TV, director of “Bleach my Skin White”, will share her triumphs and challenges of working behind the camera on Prime TV for ITV. Dami Akinnusi will also give a preview of her next film project to aspiring filmmakers.

There is a chance to join as part of a selected audience with Julie Dash, a
seminar, which will reveal the secret of her creativity.