Screen Nation Awards 2007

Thandie Newton

Don Cheadle

Ainsley Harriott & Ray Fearon

Black actors and actresses have wowed audiences for years, but have not always received the critical plaudits they deserved. The Screen Nation Awards were set up to celebrate their achievement in film and television, and to nurture the gifts of future legends.

The Oscars have traditionally been viewed as the cultural barometer for cinematic talent, but since their inception, they have functioned as an exclusive members’ club, to which black actors and actresses were not always welcomed. The Screen Nation Awards were set up for the express purpose to celebrating the crème de la crème of black film stars, and to open pathways that inspire future legends.

Five years ago, Charles Thompson, CEO of Screen Nation set about transforming the TV and Film industry with the introduction of the annual screen awards – Europe’s only international celebration of black achievement in film and TV.

The evening promises to be a star studded event, with Hollywood icon, Morgan Freeman being presented with the outstanding contribution to film and TV award, whilst Moira Stewart, the first black woman to front the news, is to receive the Eric Conner Inspiration Award.

Roots, the 1977 landmark TV series, which was credited with having a positive impact on race relations and expanded the nation’s sense of history, is to be presented with the Classic TV Award in what is its 30th anniversary year.

There is competition between Thandie Newton (The Pursuit of Happyness), Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean), Sophie Okenodo (Scenes of a Sexual Nature) and Claire – Hope Ashitey (Children of Men) for the female performance in Film Award.

Ashley Walters (Life & Lyrics), Adrian Lester (Scenes of a Sexual Nature), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Inside Man) and David Oyelowo (The Last King of Scotland) have all been nominated in the male performance in film category.

June Sarpong, Trisha Goddard, Jocelyn Jee – Esienn and Freema Agyeman will battle it out in the favourite Female TV Star category. US stars Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Jamie Foxx (Dreamgirls), Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness) and Djimon Honsou (Blood Diamond have also received nominations.

Charles Thompson, the creator of the awards says, “I am very proud to be able to showcase in our fifth year, the extraordinary pool of outstanding talent that we have here in the UK. Their work is being seen globally and their achievements make them exemplary role models for our community. Screen Nation celebrates the achievements of all the winners and nominees and joins with the industry in wishing them all the best of luck.”

The Screen Nation Film Awards takes place on 15th October at Hilton London Metropole. For info: www.screennation.co.uk

By Diriye Osman

Black to the Future

Black British film has been gathering momentum over the last few years, with recent critical darlings like Bullet Boy and Wondrous Oblivion creating a heady platform and paving the way for film-makers to step up to the challenge and create engaging narratives.

With that in mind Cinnamon Films in association with BAFTA have dedicated a weekend celebrating black achievement in film and television. Black to the Future, an event boasting the crème de la crème of black British talent, will bring together a weekend's worth of screenings, seminars, Q & As, tributes and workshops.

Contributors throughout the weekend will include successful actors, film and television practitioners; creatives, executives as well as broadcasters. Confirmed contributors include David Harewood, Eamonn Walker, Colin Salmon, Rudolph Walker OBE, Donna Croll, Mona Hammond OBE, Earl Cameron, Wil Johnson, Fraser James, Don Gilet, Cathy Tyson, George Harris, Hugh Quarshie as well as Oral Norrie Ottey, Andrei Austin, Roy Williams, Sharon Foster, June Sarpong and Alrick Riley.

"I am both delighted and honored to be involved in such an important event that will celebrate the contribution of talented individuals who are the forefront of their profession," says Alrick Riley, director. "Having this event at BAFTA will help inspire the next generation of black creative talent to create a greater and more diverse presence in the British film and television industry."

Black to the Future is aimed at young professionals, recent graduates, BAFTA members, production companies, television executives and organizations that have the responsibility to ensure diverse communities are represented on and behind the screen. Cinnamon Films gratefully acknowledges support for Black to the Future from BAFTA, BBC, BFI Mediatheque, Channel 4, the Cultural Leadership Programme and 4 the Record Initiative.

Black to the Future is being held from 27-29 Sept at Bafta, Piccadilly, London. Eamonn is giving a talk / tribute to the senior actors on the evening of Friday 28th.

By Diriye Osman