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For Immediate Release: 20^th August 2003

Celebrating 5 years of Black World Cinema
- bfm festival LAUNCH PARTY
2^nd September 2003 at GLA’s City Hall.

The 5th Annual bfm International film festival launches on September 2nd at GLA's City Hall. Marking 5 years of bfm’s annual celebration. The festival continues to grow as the UK No 1 film event celebrating the work of black independent filmmakers worldwide. Estelle Morris the Minister of Film will attend the event. The launch party takes place between 6:30-9:30pm. The event, which will kick start the festival activities will be an evening of entertainment, with live PAs. More guests for the night tbc. The host for the night will also be confirmed.

This year’s festival will include events taking place at the BBC as well as the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts), Prince Charles Cinema, The Rio Cinema and LWT

The festival is the UK's premier celebration of black world cinema, and continues to attract the elite of black British and international talent each year.

Since its inception the festival has proved to be an ideal networking forum as well as being a competitive showcase for independent films from around the Diaspora.

In addition, the festival has to played host to well known celebrities such as Eriq La Salle, Eamonn Walker, Horace Ove, Angela Griffin, Will Johnson, Angie Le Mar, Alrick Riley and Billy Dee Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph - to name but a few.

The festival has provided numerous industry-led seminars, workshops and master classes at LWT, BBC and The Soho Writers Theatre.

This year’s event commemorates five years of the festival and will consist of our usual showcase of black world cinema, screening the best in black themed cinema drawing on features, documentaries and short films from the USA, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

The festival continues to be important in building audiences for black cinema and the work of director’s not normally available In the UK. Alongside our international programme we will be showcasing the work of local talent in our UK Short Awards Competition and Uncovered strand. The Uncovered strand will incorporate films from Nigeria and the Caribbean. The festival is the only London event that promotes black British talent in this way. The event has gained recognition within the film industry via ongoing sponsors like The Film Council, Kodak, Soho Images, and the film union BECTU.

The Short Film programme provides the film industry and broadcasters with the opportunity to view new talent. In addition to the film events there will be a seminar and workshop programme. Our seminar programme brings together people from within the industry with new writers, directors and producers. It offers the opportunity to benefit from the experience and advice of those in the field as well as providing network opportunities. This year’s seminar programme will include creative topics such as producing content for the Internet, meeting the commissioners, writing for comedy, pitching for a film, and a special debate on Babyfather.

The Workshops provide those more focused on the technical aspects to benefit from interaction with new technology and with experience technicians who are able to demonstrate the practical aspects of the filmmaking craft. This year we are planning workshops in a number of areas including Animation and Cinematography. This year will also see the inaugural bfm festival lecture.

Black filmmakers and audiences rarely have the opportunity to connect with the film industry in this way. Hence, the festival is an important event not only for audiences who get to view films not readily available to them but for filmmakers as well who can meet and network with some of the key players in the world of film making.

Press Notes:

Actors, directors and filmmakers available for interview to be confirmed. Press Accreditation for Festival Launch at GLA launch is limited.

Hollywood Actor Tim Reid is available for interview and will be in the UK 4^th ­ 8^th of September.

For further information regarding attendance of Festival Launch Party on September 2^nd 2003.
film synopsis, film reviews and press interviews please contact:

That’s Entertainment Publicity and Events: Joy Coker
Email: thatsentertainment@email.com.
Tel: 07951 533 511
Fax: +44 8701258 389
www.bfmmedia.com or
www.bfmfilmfestival.com