The highlights and winners who took home the gold on the big night…
The 12th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards, dubbed as ‘the black Bafta’s’, returned for its annual celebratory ceremony on Sunday 7 May 2017 at the plush Park Plaza Riverbank hotel. Recognised as the only event of its kind that acknowledges the achievements of diverse talent on the big and small screen, this year’s awards bought together the best Black-British actors and public figures, in true Screen Nation style. Kicking off with a string of talented musical acts, as guests indulged in a delicious three-course meal, the room was buzzing, in anticipation of the main event.
Hosted by BBC London News and Arts Correspondent Brenda Emmanus and Capital Xtra’s drivetime radio presenter, DJ Abrantee, attendees on the night including film and TV actors, directors, writers, musicians and other industry insiders. Stars on the night included actors Babou Ceesay, Aml Ameen, Charles Venn, Susan Wokoma, Wunmi Mosaku and Malachi Kirby, but to name a handful. The Voice UK’s singer Michelle John was also in the building and performed a powerful rendition of Rihanna’s hit track, Diamonds, in tribute to the award winners who no doubt shone bright in the limelight.
The awards ceremony commenced with the highly prized Edric Connor Trailblazer Award, that was presented by Gayle Gould, BFI Southbank’s new Head of Cinemas and Events. Following a short clip that featured notable stars such as Idris Elba and Lenny Henry, who each paid tribute to the influential works of legendary director, Horace Ove. Amongst roars from the crowd and a standing ovation, Horace Ove was invited to the stage alongside his son and filmmaker Zack Ove, to accept this prestigious award, for his contributions to the industry, as the first African-Caribbean to make a feature film in the UK. The Screen Nation Legacy Award was devoted to the deceased screenwriter and playwright, Michael Abbensetts, who passed away in late 2016. Stephen Bourne also received the third-ever Screen Nation Special Award for his iconic book Black in the British Frame: The Black Experience in Television & Film, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Meanwhile, cricket comedy Playing Away was honoured for its 40th year on TV with the Screen Nation Classic TV Award.
The highly anticipated Screen Nation Male in Performance award saw nominees Adrian Lester, Babou Ceesay, and Noel Clarke, overthrown by winning actor Malachi Kirby for his role in the BBC series, Roots. Noel Clarke who was nominated for a total of three awards across different categories scored a big win for his final instalment of his British Film trilogy (previous Kidadulthood and Adulthood), Brotherhood, with the Screen Achievement in Film Production Award. Damilola, Our Loved Boy bagged the Screen Nation Diversity in Drama Production award presented with an emotional speech by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, the mother of Steven Lawrence. The ladies who stole the show on the night included the likes of Arinze Kene, Judith Shekoni, Michaela Cole and Ruth Negga, who each won in their nominated categories, and were championed for their contributions to Black-British TV and Film.
– Noel Clarke won the Screen Achievement in Film Production Award for Brotherhood.
Winners and guests a-like, celebrated in style at the official Screen Nation after-party, hosted by top DJ’s, DJ Neptizzle, Mr Play, DJ Dave B and more. Elsewhere, ‘locs legend and salon owner Morris Roots got the crowd in the party groove with his #tearsmascarnival band who paraded through the ceremony, post-performance, leading us right to the cocktails bar after the ceremony.
– Morris Roots’ #tearsmascarnival band
What an inspiring evening to say the least. Read on to get clued up on the full list of winners from the sensational soiree. We had a ball!
Full List Of Winners
Honorary & Major Awards
Outstanding Contribution: ISAACH DE BANKOLE
Edric Connor Trailblazer: HORACE OVE CBE
Special Award: STEPHEN BOURNE
Classic Movie (Intl.): LOVE JONES
Legacy Award: MICHAEL ABBENSETTS
Classic TV (UK): PLAYING AWAY
UK Screen Achievement Awards
Emerging Talent: DAMSON IDRIS – CITY OF TINY LIGHTS, SNOWFALL, CASUALTY (ACTOR)
Rising Star: SOPE DIRISU – UNDERCOVER, BLACK MIRROR (ACTOR)
Female Performance in Film: RUTH NEGGA – LOVING
Male Performance in Film: ARINZE KENE – THE PASS
Female Performance in TV: JUDITH SHEKONI – ICE, ORDINARY LIES, HEROES REBORN
Male Performance in TV: MALACHI KIRBY – ROOTS
Favourite Female TV Personality: SANDRA MARTIN & SANDI BOGLE – GOGGLEBOX
Favourite Male TV Personality: ORE ODUBA – STRICTLY COME DANCING
Favourite Comedy Talent: SELASIE GBORMITTAH – THE GREAT BRITISH BAKEOFF
UK Screencraft Achievement Awards
Diversity in Factual Production: BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK (BBC2)
Diversity in Drama Production: DAMILOLA, OUR LOVED BOY (BBC1)
Independent Spirit Film Production: A MOVING IMAGE – SHOLA AMOO
Achievement in Film Production: BROTHERHOOD – NOEL CLARKE
Favourite African UK Movie: OXFORD GARDENS – OBI EMELONYE
Favourite Black Broadcaster: ABN TV
Photographs by Gabriela Badard (copyright Melanmag.com)
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