The bfm International Film Festival was established in 1998 by Menelik Shabazz, an award-winning filmmaker (Step Forward Youth and Burning an Illusion). It began with his vision to raise the profile of black cinema locally and internationally in front and behind the camera.

bfm International Film Festival

BFM International Film Festival 2009 line-up announced

The bfm International Film Festival has announced the line-up for its 2009 program. The festival - which runs from runs from 6-10th November is the UK's premier film festival dedicated to celebrating black world cinema. Funded by ACP Films, Film London and the UK Film Council, the bfm International Film Festival, will provide audiences with abundant opportunities to view a diverse range of some of the most innovative films of either black content or directed and written by black filmmakers.

The five day festival will present over 60 films - dramatic and feature length documentaries - which will be screened across four venues in London. The program is divided into five distinct categories; Made in UK, Caribbean Tales, Contemporary, Africa Calling and Political Thought, and includes films from; the UK, USA, South Africa, Ethiopia, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Tanzania, Congo, Canada and Senegal.

The festival opens on the 6th November with the European premiere of Good Hair (Dir: Jeff Stilson), the award-winning film co-written and produced by Chris Rock. Something is Killing Tate; (Dir: Leon Lozano); Good Day to be Black and Sexy (Dir: Dennis Dortch) and The Story of Lovers Rock; (Dir: Menelik Shabazz); are just a few of the acclaimed films which will also be showcased. Other festival highlights include; the opportunity to discuss and debate an array of issues addressed in the films in a selection of post-screening Q&A's with filmmakers, industry seminars and workshops facilitated by the UK Film Council Channel 4 and Skillset, DJ evenings and the Shorts Awards on closing night.

"This year will see the strongest bfm International Film Festival program to date,"says Nadia Denton, festival director."The line-up is daring, engaging and inclusive and covers a range of subjects. In addition to the ACP Films funded Caribbean strand - which will see all the participating Trinidadian and Jamaican filmmakers in attendance - the festival will also feature world and European premieres of award-winning films. 50% of the program represents films made in the UK, and we are thrilled to be offering a US based scholarship on behalf of the Legacy Media Institute. The 11th bfm International film festival has something for everyone".

2009 Festival Sponsors The 2009 bfm International Film Festival is sponsored by; the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, Jamaica Trade and Invest, ilab, Women in Film and Television, Goldrush Entertainment, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Kodak and Tim Reid New Millennium Studios.

Festival Partners Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Trinidad and Tobago Film Company, Trinidad and Tobago High Commission, Jamaican Ministry of Culture, Channel 4 , Visit London, Skillset, Colourful Radio and the Voice of Africa Radio and Lime Magazine. Festival Venues The festival screenings will take place at: the BFI Southbank, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Rich Mix and Shortwave Cinema.

For the complete festival program visit: www.bfmmedia.com/festival
Public booking for tickets to the 2009 bfm International Film Festival will commence on Thursday 8th October.

In the run up to the festival, a special FREE Black History Month showcase will also take place every Tuesday throughout October. This will feature the Great Africans series with Wole Soyinka, Nelson Mandela and Wangari Mathaai.

bfm IFF is proud to be sponsored by the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Film Fund, Film London and the UK Film Council, Price Associates, Trinidad & Tobago High Commission, Jamaica Trade and Invest, ilab, Kodak, Women in Film and Television, The Script Factory, Film Four, Legacy Media Institute, Goldrush Entertainment and the Jamaican Tourist Board.

Festival partners include Visit London, Skillset, Channel 4, 100 Black Men, Voice of Africa, Colourful Radio, Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Trinidad & Tobago Film Company, and the Canadian Black Film Festival.

To find out more information about the festival and view trailer clips of some of the films featured, please visit the official website at www.bfmmedia.com/festival