The 3rd bfm International Film Festival will take place at the Soho Curzon cinema in London's West End from 7 - 13 September, and continues from the 14 - 18 September at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, east London. Showcasing more than 60 films by black filmmakers from around the world, including the USA, UK, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Linked to the New York Diaspora Film Festival and the Acapulco Film Festival, London's own international black film festival has become the premiere UK festival of its kind and continues to grow every year.

Organised by bfm (black filmmaker) magazine and officially supported by Ken Livingstone and the Mayors Office, this unique London film festival profiles the new wave of Black British filmmaking talent, which includes the eagerly anticipated screenings of two British world premieres plus the Nu-Wave Shorts programmes. This 12-day event provides a unique occasion to enjoy a range of films rarely seen in the UK that express a vast range of black cultural and aesthetic views of the world. A high quality programme of award winning features, documentaries, animation, and short films by established international talent alongside black British filmmakers will make for essential viewing.

Screenings include:

The Huey P. Newton Story - EUROPEAN PREMIER
(dir. Spike Lee)

Once in the Life - EUROPEAN PREMIER
(dir. debut & starring Laurence Fishburne)

Love Come Down - EUROPEAN PREMIER
(starring Larenz Tate and Deborah Cox)

Dog Eat Dog - WORLD PREMIER
(FilmFour movie, with ex Radio 1 jock Mark Tonderai)

Otomo
(based on a true story and starring Isaac de Bankole)

Injustice - SPECIAL SCREENING
(hard hitting Brit. doc on deaths in custody)

Documentary screenings include:

Look for me in the Whirlwind, the most profound documentary ever made on the life of Marcus Garvey. Femi Kuti: What 's Going On, featuring the music of the son of the enigmatic Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and Backstage, a no holds barred rapumentary featuring DMX, Method Man and Jay Z on tour.

There will also be a special programme of films from Canada and Ghana, and a number of films dealing with the eternal theme of Love.

The highlight of the festival is the annual award ceremony to be held at BAFTA, where the Lifetime Achievement Award will go to Harry Belafonte, one of the most charming and enduring Hollywood actors of the last century.

At the heart of the festival is the serious business of filmmaking. A dynamic series of talks and seminars will give filmmakers the chance to gain new insights into the industry. The programme will cover Animation, Soundtracks and an Actors Boot Camp as well as seeing the launch of the first ever bfm Screenwriters Competition.

Festival goers will get the opportunity to meet invited guests such as Billy Dee Williams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Larenz Tate, Chuck D, Roger Guenveur Smith, Eammon Walker and Clement Virgo, whilst mingling amongst others involved in the international movie business at the venues and our parties.

As part of the festival's commitment to supporting emerging black British short filmmaking talent, the BAFTA award winning cinematographer Remi Adefarasin BSC, (Elizabeth, Sliding Doors), will once again be judging the Best Cinematography Award. In addition, the public will get the chance to be part of the audience which will choose the winner of The bfm Best Short Film Award. This unique competition also rewards excellence in Screenwriting and Male & Female Performance in the short film arena. For film enthusiasts nationwide, the Festival is set to tour the UK, visiting Cardiff, Newport, Manchester and Birmingham, screening highlights from the London festival alongside regional shorts.

For further information on screenings/seminars call bfm direct on 020 8531 9199. For tickets call: Soho Curzon 020 7734 2255 : The Rio Cinema - 020 7254 6677 : The Lux Cinema - 0207 684 0201 : The Soho Theatre - 0207 478 0100 : The Tricycle Cinema - 020 7328 1000/1900 : Cine Lumiere - 020 7838 2144/46 or check out our new festival web site at http://www.bfmfilmfestival.com.