The annual British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) comes to town again this September and film lovers looking to embrace the contributions and achievements of women and people of colour, are in for a treat as, unlike many main stream bodies in the film industry, BUFF set out to, and succeeds in showing diversity in action.
Sponsored by BT this year, BUFF continues to foster and champion talent from all facets of Society since its launch in 2005. This year’s festival will showcase hugely talented female filmmakers taking on roles both on and off screen, and the number of female-led productions, script writers and directors that are working to readdress the balance when it comes to women in film.
To help you plan what you want to see, we bring you some excellent production that you can choose to book in advance.
Irish director, Jo Southwell leads Deirdre of the Sorrows folklore, a fascinating coming of age drama exploring a darker Irish version of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale, with clan wars, passionate portrayals of emotions against the breathtaking backdrop of the Irish countryside in the 70s.
[Book Here]
This Is My Story
Vicky Kisner, South African-born, London-based filmmaker and winner of BUFF’s first Emerging Talent award for her film, Sheila, directs her latest project. Chelsea (14) is impulsive. She finds it hard to concentrate and is easily distracted in class. She is referred to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Initially, rejecting that anything is wrong, Chelsea eventually realizes that help is at hand.
[Book Here]
Potato Potahto
A beautifully executed romantic comedy, directed by Ghanaian filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong Manso, the story is about a newly divorced couple who decide to continue living together in their former matrimonial home. They soon realise that the ingenious idea is easier said than done. Bent on flexing their egos and scoring points, the two embark on a series of hilarious tactics that stirs emotions and turns an already complicated situation into a roller coaster ride.
Back To Natural
Directed by New York City based Clinical Psychologist, Gillian Scott-Ward, this is a 69-minute documentary film that reveals the shocking truth about hair politics, and racial identity in Black communities and beyond. The film was inspired by her clinical practice work and her own desire to go natural. “I struggled because I was encouraging young people of colour to live authentically despite the consequences, yet I wasn’t living fully authentically myself,” she says.
Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement
An American television documentary film directed by Laurens Grant. The phrase “stay woke” refers to a continuing awareness of issues concerning social justice and racial justice, made popular by the Black Lives Matter movement.
[Book Here]
Cream
South African born Director/Producer/Writer, Palesa Lebona, aims to provoke thought and drive dialogue about human issues that are ignored and overlooked.
Her film, Cream, is set in the 1960s and exposes the sorrowful tale of a little dark-skinned girl, torn between her own personal identity and seeking the love and affection from her grandmother. Taking place in Oakland, the day after Martin Luther King’s death, the film centres around the twisted, brutal relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and how everything unfolds when her runaway sister, who is part of the Black Panthers, returns home, seeking refuge after committing a heinous crime.
[Book Here]
Jocelyn
This is a film about Dame Jocelyn Barrow who was knighted for her achievements in race relations, as one of the founders of the Commission for Racial Equality. Her story is brought to life by co-director, Rachel Wang, who is also co-founder of Chocolate Films.
[Book Here]
Meet the Agents
![Celebrating women of colour at BUFF Festival The annual British Urban Film Festival (BUFF) comes to town again this September and film lovers looking to embrace the contributions and achievements of women and people of colour, are in for a treat as, unlike many main stream bodies in the film industry, BUFF set out to, and succeeds in showing diversity in action. Sponsored by BT this year, BUFF continues to foster and champion talent from all facets of Society since its launch in 2005. This year’s festival will showcase hugely talented female filmmakers taking on roles both on and off screen, and the number of female-led productions, script writers and directors that are working to readdress the balance when it comes to women in film. To help you plan what you want to see, we bring you some excellent production that you can choose to book in advance. Deidre Irish director, Jo Southwell leads Deirdre of the Sorrows folklore, a fascinating coming of age drama exploring a darker Irish version of the classic Romeo and Juliet tale, with clan wars, passionate portrayals of emotions against the breathtaking backdrop of the Irish countryside in the 70s. [Book Here] This Is My Story Vicky Kisner, South African-born, London-based filmmaker and winner of BUFF’s first Emerging Talent award for her film, Sheila, directs her latest project. Chelsea (14) is impulsive. She finds it hard to concentrate and is easily distracted in class. She is referred to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Initially, rejecting that anything is wrong, Chelsea eventually realizes that help is at hand. [Book Here] Potato Potahto A beautifully executed romantic comedy, directed by Ghanaian filmmaker, Shirley Frimpong Manso, the story is about a newly divorced couple who decide to continue living together in their former matrimonial home. They soon realise that the ingenious idea is easier said than done. Bent on flexing their egos and scoring points, the two embark on a series of hilarious tactics that stirs emotions and turns an already complicated situation into a roller coaster ride. [Book Here] Back To Natural Directed by New York City based Clinical Psychologist, Gillian Scott-Ward, this is a 69-minute documentary film that reveals the shocking truth about hair politics, and racial identity in Black communities and beyond. The film was inspired by her clinical practice work and her own desire to go natural. “I struggled because I was encouraging young people of colour to live authentically despite the consequences, yet I wasn’t living fully authentically myself,” she says. [Book Here] Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement An American television documentary film directed by Laurens Grant. The phrase “stay woke” refers to a continuing awareness of issues concerning social justice and racial justice, made popular by the Black Lives Matter movement. [Book Here] Cream South African born Director/Producer/Writer, Palesa Lebona, aims to provoke thought and drive dialogue about human issues that are ignored and overlooked. Her film, Cream, is set in the 1960s and exposes the sorrowful tale of a little dark-skinned girl, torn between her own personal identity and seeking the love and affection from her grandmother. Taking place in Oakland, the day after Martin Luther King’s death, the film centres around the twisted, brutal relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and how everything unfolds when her runaway sister, who is part of the Black Panthers, returns home, seeking refuge after committing a heinous crime. [Book Here] Jocelyn This is a film about Dame Jocelyn Barrow who was knighted for her achievements in race relations, as one of the founders of the Commission for Racial Equality. Her story is brought to life by co-director, Rachel Wang, who is also co-founder of Chocolate Films. [Book Here] Meet the Agents A special ‘Meet The agents’ masterclass panel, is taking place on Tuesday 12 September 2017, at 1.30pm. The panel will include four prominent talent, literary and casting agents: Kim Vithana (Holby City), Nina Lee (agent to Isis Davis who has two nominations at BUFF Awards 2017), Sandra Thompson-Quartey (Founder of The Avenue) and Shakrya Dowling (Casting agent recently honoured by the Casting Directors Awards 2017). Topics covered will be colour-blind casting and positive discrimination. [Book Here] The venue for all events is: BT Tower, 45 Maple street, W1T 4JZ For more information, visit: ww.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk](http://melanmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Sandra-Thompson-Quartey-artistic-director-of-Writers-Avenue-700x455.jpg)
Topics covered will be colour-blind casting and positive discrimination.
[Book Here]
For more information, visit: ww.britishurbanfilmfestival.co.uk
