Stars attend Black Women Film Festival
Thestars were out for the opening night of the Images of Black Women Film Festival in London which takes place in London this weekend.
The 7th Edition of the International Black Womens Festival (IBW) spans across March and April for a double celebration; the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Month & the United Nations’ announcement of 2011 International Year for African Descent people.
More than ever the programme will be an eclectic mix incorporating foreign independent and classic films, such as I Will Follow & For Coloured Girls; a beautiful animation – Chico & Rita – about Afro-Cuban jazz. Also includes an Animation Forum for 6 to 60 yrs as well as a Filmmaker’s Forum. The festival celebrates the global black experience by focussing on women’s talent and representation. By covering a wide range of genres, and issues, the Festival seeks to present and honour women’s survival wisdom and power while promoting race and gender equality.
Sylviane Rano, Co-founder and festival Director of the three day film festival said: “The funding cuts to the film and arts programmes have impacted severely on our industry and have created new challenges. I’m positively encouraged by the support from the community and the public at large who have understood the legacy, significance, cultural impact and the contribution that black women have made across the television and film industry.”
Introducing the festival Lisa Bent television presenter said: “The seventh annual Images of Black Women Film Festival profiles women in front and behind the camera lens and the advances that have been made culturally throughout the African Diaspora.”
The Images of African Film Festival encouraged open feedback through a series of forums in which the speakers and the public got to share their views, experiences of merits of each film profiled. ‘I Will Follow’, the opening film at the Trycicle Theatre has caused huge debates across America.
Some of the talent who attended the opening nights screenings included: Tameka Empson who plays Kim Fox in Eastenders and mother and daughter duo from Gisella Boutique. Gisella Boutique is currently considered to be amongst the UK’s top fashion labels. Not only have their designs graced the red carpets at European movie premiers, held seminars at the Institute of contemporary Arts (ICA) but more recently Nollywood greats such as Fatima Jabbe have been photographed wearing Gisella creations at the Mirror Boy European movie premier.
Taking place Friday the 9th April to Sunday the 11th, Images of Black Women Film Festival welcomes people of all backgrounds and faith. Pre booking is advised as there is limited space available. FLYER has given this event a Five Star rating as one of the must important cultural events of the year and a unique opportunity to network with some of the UK’s leading and aspiring creatives.
Images of Black Women Film Festival, 8th to 10th April at the Tricycle Cinema, London, Kilburn.