bfm - NADIA DENTON
Role: Festival Director & Programmer
Profile: Since 2003, Nadia has been the Co-ordinator and Programmer of the bfm Film Club, a monthly platform for Black World Cinema at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. In this time she has partnered and held screenings in association with organizations such as The American Embassy, the British Museum, Camden Council, The University of the West Indies (Jamaica), 100 Black Men, Images of Black Women Film Festival, The Hip Hop Association and Friends of Mali. 2008 saw her presiding over the 10th Anniversary bfm International Film Festival as its Director. For the first time in bfm IFF history, the festival opened at the BFI Southbank and also held a programme at The British Museum, amongst other venues. It was the most successful festival to date with 61% of new audiences in attendance. Nadia Denton studied Modern History at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford graduating in 2000. She is the daughter of Menelik Shabazz, the pioneering Black British filmmaker and Director of the ground-breaking film Burning An Illusion.
Role: Festival Director & Programmer Profile: Since 2003, Nadia has been the Co-ordinator and Programmer of the bfm Film Club, a monthly platform for Black World Cinema at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. In this time she has partnered and held screenings in association with organizations such as The American Embassy, the British Museum, Camden Council, The University of the West Indies (Jamaica), 100 Black Men, Images of Black Women Film Festival, The Hip Hop Association and Friends of Mali. 2008 saw her presiding over the 10th Anniversary bfm International Film Festival as its Director. For the first time in bfm IFF history, the festival opened at the BFI Southbank and also held a programme at The British Museum, amongst other venues. It was the most successful festival to date with 61% of new audiences in attendance. Nadia Denton studied Modern History at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford graduating in 2000. She is the daughter of Menelik Shabazz, the pioneering Black British filmmaker and Director of the ground-breaking film Burning An Illusion.
bfm - AMINATA DIABY
Role: Festival Programmer
Profile: Aminata Diaby : A Project Manager during the day, Aminata is passionate about cinema from the African diaspora. After attending FESPACO 2009 (the bi-annual African Film Festival in Burkina Faso) where she made contact with many film makers, she joined the bfm film festival as Programmer.
Role: Festival ProgrammerProfile: Aminata Diaby : A Project Manager during the day, Aminata is passionate about cinema from the African diaspora. After attending FESPACO 2009 (the bi-annual African Film Festival in Burkina Faso) where she made contact with many film makers, she joined the bfm film festival as Programmer.
bfm - BUKOLA (BUKKY) ADEBIYI
Role: Festival Administrator
Profile: This is my second year working with the festival and it has been a joy, the bfm are here to give opportunities and it has definitely done that for me. I am originally from a music industry background but working with the festival I have found a new love for film I am very passionate to contributing to the festival success.... my roles and responsibilities with the festival keep me very busy and as we draw nearer to the festival it has become very exciting planning, organising and doing everything else inbetween while leading up to the big weak.... I am very pleases and honerd to be able to be part of the festival and I know that it will be nothing less than a a great event. Film is very powerful and moving andi truelly hope that people today ae able to support and take a keen intrest in what we are trying to achieve.
Role: Festival AdministratorProfile: This is my second year working with the festival and it has been a joy, the bfm are here to give opportunities and it has definitely done that for me. I am originally from a music industry background but working with the festival I have found a new love for film I am very passionate to contributing to the festival success.... my roles and responsibilities with the festival keep me very busy and as we draw nearer to the festival it has become very exciting planning, organising and doing everything else inbetween while leading up to the big weak.... I am very pleases and honerd to be able to be part of the festival and I know that it will be nothing less than a a great event. Film is very powerful and moving andi truelly hope that people today ae able to support and take a keen intrest in what we are trying to achieve.
bfm - MADINA ATTA-APAU
Role: Festival Marketeers
Profile: Business Economics Graduate, Madina Atta-Apau is the Marketing Assistant for the bfm International Film Festival. After gaining marketing experience in IT, retail and non-profit organisations, Madina will be contributing to the promotion of the bfm International Film Festival online, as well as coordinating and supporting other marketing activities. Madina has past experience in coordinating and marketing product launches, events, promotional projects, and creating marketing collateral and online presence to raise awareness and increase interest. Madina has a huge passion for marketing and communications, and looks forward to using her skills and experience to help make the BFM International Film Festival a great success this year.
Role: Festival MarketeersProfile: Business Economics Graduate, Madina Atta-Apau is the Marketing Assistant for the bfm International Film Festival. After gaining marketing experience in IT, retail and non-profit organisations, Madina will be contributing to the promotion of the bfm International Film Festival online, as well as coordinating and supporting other marketing activities. Madina has past experience in coordinating and marketing product launches, events, promotional projects, and creating marketing collateral and online presence to raise awareness and increase interest. Madina has a huge passion for marketing and communications, and looks forward to using her skills and experience to help make the BFM International Film Festival a great success this year.
bfm - JOSEPHINE ASANTE
Role: Festival Marketeers
Profile: Josephine Asante graduated from the University of Essex with a degree in American Studies. As part of her degree she studied abroad at the University of California, Davis for a year and it is during this time that her interest in African American film and television began. She has completed internships in a variety of media and arts companies including MTV, Relentless Records, Resonate Communications, Zebra PR , CNN International and Youth Dance England. She has recently joined the festival team as a Marketing Assistant and is currently working as a programming intern for Turner Broadcasting.
Role: Festival MarketeersProfile: Josephine Asante graduated from the University of Essex with a degree in American Studies. As part of her degree she studied abroad at the University of California, Davis for a year and it is during this time that her interest in African American film and television began. She has completed internships in a variety of media and arts companies including MTV, Relentless Records, Resonate Communications, Zebra PR , CNN International and Youth Dance England. She has recently joined the festival team as a Marketing Assistant and is currently working as a programming intern for Turner Broadcasting.
bfm - ALICE GBELIA
Role: Film Reviews
Profile: Founder & Editor of online magazine catchavibe.co.uk, a one-stop shop for anyone interested in black culture and going out in London. Catch a Vibe is fast becoming the ultimate reference in the coverage of alternative arts in the capital.
Role: Film ReviewsProfile: Founder & Editor of online magazine catchavibe.co.uk, a one-stop shop for anyone interested in black culture and going out in London. Catch a Vibe is fast becoming the ultimate reference in the coverage of alternative arts in the capital.
bfm - NATALIE McFARLANE
Role: Film Reviews
Profile: Natalie is a creative arts marketing professional with a background in sponsorship marketing, advertising, brand approvals, event logistics, and cultural marketing. She is passionate about developing creative partnerships between businesses and the arts. For this year's festival, she was involved in sponsorship prospecting, advertising sales, securing goody bag content and writing film reviews.
Role: Film ReviewsProfile: Natalie is a creative arts marketing professional with a background in sponsorship marketing, advertising, brand approvals, event logistics, and cultural marketing. She is passionate about developing creative partnerships between businesses and the arts. For this year's festival, she was involved in sponsorship prospecting, advertising sales, securing goody bag content and writing film reviews.
bfm - SOPHIA JACKSON
Role: Newsletter Editor
Profile: Sophia Jackson is a communications professional with an MA in Journalism Studies. She is a freelance entertainment journalist and editor who has written for Blink, Pride Magazine, bfm magazine, the Situation and was a listings editor for New Nation. Now, she is editor of the annual Screen Nation awards magazine and web editor for bfmmedia.com. In September 2008 she launched afridiziak.com/theatrenews - a website celebrating African-Caribbean theatre. In summer 2009 she started working as editor or Lime magazine - a multi-cultural listings guide: gotmedialive.co.uk/lime. Sophia is looking forward to working on the 2009 bfm festival website and e-newsletters. To contact, Sophia, email: sophia@afridiziak.com.
Role: Newsletter EditorProfile: Sophia Jackson is a communications professional with an MA in Journalism Studies. She is a freelance entertainment journalist and editor who has written for Blink, Pride Magazine, bfm magazine, the Situation and was a listings editor for New Nation. Now, she is editor of the annual Screen Nation awards magazine and web editor for bfmmedia.com. In September 2008 she launched afridiziak.com/theatrenews - a website celebrating African-Caribbean theatre. In summer 2009 she started working as editor or Lime magazine - a multi-cultural listings guide: gotmedialive.co.uk/lime. Sophia is looking forward to working on the 2009 bfm festival website and e-newsletters. To contact, Sophia, email: sophia@afridiziak.com.
bfm - BASIL LUMSDEN
Role: Web Manager
Profile: Basil is a Business Studies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) graduate with real enthusiasm to pursue his career in Website Design, Graphic Design and Technical Support. He has been at bfm media since beginning of the year where he maintains and update bfmmedia.com website. For the bfm International Festival (IFF) he will be designing and maintaining IFF website.
Role: Web ManagerProfile: Basil is a Business Studies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) graduate with real enthusiasm to pursue his career in Website Design, Graphic Design and Technical Support. He has been at bfm media since beginning of the year where he maintains and update bfmmedia.com website. For the bfm International Festival (IFF) he will be designing and maintaining IFF website.
bfm - LISA BENT
Title: Host and Facilitator of Q&A Sessions
Profile: Lisa Bent is a TV Presenter, Journalist and Producer and has been working for bfm since 2006. She began co-presenting Rollin’, a movie review and entertainment show highlighting new and established individuals of ethnic origin, within the media industry, to the mainstream audience whilst celebrating all. As a result she has interviewed an amalgamation of directors, actors, actress and artists on and off the red carpet. Lisa has written for the bfm magazine and website and today is the host and facilitator of Q&A sessions within the bfm festival
Title: Host and Facilitator of Q&A SessionsProfile: Lisa Bent is a TV Presenter, Journalist and Producer and has been working for bfm since 2006. She began co-presenting Rollin’, a movie review and entertainment show highlighting new and established individuals of ethnic origin, within the media industry, to the mainstream audience whilst celebrating all. As a result she has interviewed an amalgamation of directors, actors, actress and artists on and off the red carpet. Lisa has written for the bfm magazine and website and today is the host and facilitator of Q&A sessions within the bfm festival
bfm - BEVERLEY WILLIE
Title: House Manager
Profile: Beverley has been with the film festival since its conception and has witnessed how film-goers wants and needs have changed over the years. With a background in administration and organising events around the UK, one of the aspects she enjoys most about her role as House Manager, are the audience reactions after each screening. 'Laughter, elation, or just sheer indignation. If you want to be entertained, challenged or see the world in a different light, this is the festival for you.'
Title: House Manager Profile: Beverley has been with the film festival since its conception and has witnessed how film-goers wants and needs have changed over the years. With a background in administration and organising events around the UK, one of the aspects she enjoys most about her role as House Manager, are the audience reactions after each screening. 'Laughter, elation, or just sheer indignation. If you want to be entertained, challenged or see the world in a different light, this is the festival for you.'