Festival puts spotlight on black stars
Published:Wednesday | October 26, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Poppy Brady, Voice Reporter
RISING STAR Jimmy Akingbola took centre stage to launch the fifth annual Black International Film Festival (BIFF) in Birmingham.
Akingbola, who plays Dr Antoine Malick in BBC drama Holby City, officially announced more than 30 nominations for this year's seven-day film, TV and video music extravaganza that is rapidly putting Birmingham on the international film and media map.
The popular actor, born in London to Nigerian parents, told the gathering at Malmaison hotel how he began his acting career at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He will return again to the city on Friday to co-host the festival's highlight, the Music Video and Screen Awards, with former GMTV presenter Jacqui Joseph at the prestigious International Convention Centre in Birmingham.
Showcasing the best
This year's event will be showcasing some of the best cutting-edge independent films, while also officially introducing Nollywood from Nigeria's burgeoning film industry. Today, Nollywood ranks second in the movie industry after Bollywood, but ahead of Hollywood in terms of the number of films released annually.
The official launch of BIFF took place Monday at the Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston. The rest of the week's events include the launch of African Film Week, a women's business conference, the premiere screening of Bullets over Brownsville, and a Nigerian music night.
BIF Festival director Dean Alexander said: "It's a great honour to be involved in the growth of such an exciting and innovative event. The BIF Festival is a film festival with a difference incorporating live acts, music and education. The team hopes everyone has as much fun taking part as we did putting it all together."
Nominations
This year's nominations, which are determined by a panel vote, are:
BEST ACTOR:
Idris Elba (Luther); Wil Johnson (Waking the Dead); Jimmy Akingbola (Holby City); John Boyega (Attack the Block).
BEST ACTRESS: Naomi Harris (First Grader); Angela Griffin (Mount Pleasant); Freema Agyeman (Law and Order); Nadine Marshall (Random).
BEST TV PRESENTER:
Miquita Oliver (T4); Clive Myrie (BBC One News); Charlene White (ITV London); Gillian Joseph (Sky TV).
BEST DRAMA:
Holby City, EastEnders, Luther, Casualty.
BEST TV LIVE COMEDIAN: Richard Blackwood, Slim, Cane Brown, Will E. Robo.
BEST UK VIDEO MUSIC:
Wretch 32 (Don't Go); Dappy (No Regrets); Dappy and Tinchy Stryder (Starship); Jessie J (Price Tag).
BEST BLACK THEATRE PRODUCTION:
Mr Soon Come (Lorna Laidlaw); The Rec Room; Lil Baby Jesus (Oval House Theatre); Fela! (Sadler's Wells Theatre).
BEST UK FILM:
Anuvahood, Random, Attack the Block.
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM:
Anchor Baby, Bullet Over Brownsville.
WESTMORE EZEKIEL AWARD: Hector Pinkney, for his continued dedication and work within the community; Wil Johnson, for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry through acting; Jim Kelly, head of events at Birmingham City Council, for his unwavering support for the festival and the Jamaican Olympic track and field team for 2012, who will stay in Birmingham.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
Jamaica-born actress Mona Hammond, who came to the UK in 1959 and has enjoyed a distinguished stage and TV career, playing Blossom Jackson in EastEnders and starring in many other TV dramas, including Softly Softly and The Sweeney, along with many Shakespearean stage roles. She was awarded the OBE in 2005.