BFM International Film Festival 2009

Posted: 1st Nov 2009

The bfm International Film Festival has announced the line-up for its 2009 program. The festival - which runs from runs from 6-10th November is the UK's premier film festival dedicated to celebrating black world cinema. Funded by ACP Films, Film London and the UK Film Council, the bfm International Film Festival, will provide audiences with abundant opportunities to view a diverse range of some of the most innovative films of either black content or directed and written by black filmmakers.

The five day festival will present over 60 films - dramatic and feature length documentaries - which will be screened across four venues in London. The program is divided into five distinct categories; Made in UK, Caribbean Tales, Contemporary, Africa Calling and Political Thought, and includes films from; the UK, USA, South Africa, Ethiopia, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Tanzania, Congo, Canada and Senegal.

The festival opens on the 6th November with the European premiere of Good Hair (Dir: Jeff Stilson), the award-winning film co-written and produced by Chris Rock. Something is Killing Tate; (Dir: Leon Lozano); Good Day to be Black and Sexy (Dir: Dennis Dortch) and The Story of Lovers Rock; (Dir: Menelik Shabazz); are just a few of the acclaimed films which will also be showcased. Other festival highlights include; the opportunity to discuss and debate an array of issues addressed in the films in a selection of post-screening Q&A's with filmmakers, industry seminars and workshops facilitated by the UK Film Council Channel 4 and Skillset, DJ evenings and the Shorts Awards on closing night.

"This year will see the strongest bfm International Film Festival program to date,"says Nadia Denton, festival director."The line-up is daring, engaging and inclusive and covers a range of subjects. In addition to the ACP Films funded Caribbean strand - which will see all the participating Trinidadian and Jamaican filmmakers in attendance - the festival will also feature world and European premieres of award-winning films. 50% of the program represents films made in the UK, and we are thrilled to be offering a US based scholarship on behalf of the Legacy Media Institute. The 11th bfm International film festival has something for everyone".

For all you lovers of soca/pan we have 3 showings

 Soca Power in Trinidad and Tobago + Q&A
Monday 9thNov / 19.00 / Rich Mix Cinema 2
 
A dazzling documentary that follows four of soca's most influential local
talents throughout one Carnival season, moving from behind the scenes at large
concerts to the heat and heart of Carnival. The film's main characters are
Machel Montano, considered the most powerful man in soca; Bunji Garlin, revered,
even feared, for his biting lyrics and bold, outspoken personality; Fay-Ann
Lyons, soca royalty and one of the genre's brightest young stars; and Isaac
Blackman, son of soca 's creator Ras Shorty I. Through the interwoven portraits
of these four stars, Soca Poweris an energetic immersion into the world of soca.
[Dir: Claude Santiago - Trinidad & Tobago 2008 - 60min - European Premiere]
 

Mas Man + Q&A
Saturday 7th Nov / 12.00 / Rich Mix Cinema 2
 
A sparkling documentary that examines the life of Trinidadian Carnival "Masman"
Peter Minshall, whose lifelong ambition was to prove that Mas (the Carnival
stage) can be high art. Minshall began revisiting carnival traditions in the
1970s in Trinidad with the iconic costume "From the Land of the Hummingbird". He
then went on to dazzle the crowds at the London's Notting Hill Carnival with his
extravagant costume bands. Minshall's work transcended Carnival and he was asked
to work on high profile performance projects such as the opening ceremonies of
the Olympic Games in 1992, 1996 and 2002.
[Dir: Dalton Narine - Trinidad & Tobago 2009 - 87min European Premiere]
 
+ Russ Henderson "The Pan Man"
 
Pan Mantells the story of renowned jazz pianist and steel pan player Russ
Henderson from his days as a struggling musician in the 1950s to receiving
recognition in the form of an MBE from HRH Prince of Wales for long standing
services to the music industry.
[Dir: Mike McKenzie - UK 2009 -15min]

If you would like a chance to win yourself  tickets tune in to tempo radio on thursday 5th november between 8pm and midnight 

For the complete festival program visit: www.bfmmedia.com/festival
Public booking for tickets to the 2009 bfm International Film Festival will commence on Thursday 8th October.

To find out more information about the festival and view trailer clips of some of the films featured, please visit the official website at www.bfmmedia.com/festival