100 Black Screen Icons: Who is the greatest?
- By News Hound
- Published 04/11/2007
- Film
- Unrated
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View all articles by News Hound100 Black Screen Icons: Who is the greatest?
Who are the leading personalities who have shaped the world of black film? Which black directors, actors, writers, and technical innovators have been most influential in shaping film and television? 100 Black Screen Icons is a unique website that sheds light on 100 of the most significant black personalities in film and television and asks visitors to vote on their favourite in four different categories.
Launched today by Every Generation Media and the BFI, and sponsored by the UK Film Council and the BBC, 100 Black Screen Icons promotes and celebrates black creative screen talent from the African Diaspora and aims to educate and engage audiences from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
In the first-ever online poll of its kind, 100 Black Screen Icons features international personalities ranging from bankable stars such as Denzel Washington and Halle Berry to the critically heralded, like Ousmane Sembene and Oscar Michieux, as well as developing talent exemplified by British actors Ashley Walters, Sophie Okenodo, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Adrian Lester. Recognising those who have broken ground in terms of innovation, craftsmanship and style, the website is interactive, highly educational and entertaining.
Every Generation Media has an impressive track record in putting similar online polls together, including 100 Great Black Britons – launched in response to a poll of 100 Great Britons which failed to include a single black nominee. The poll is a continuation of the BFI’s earlier and tremendously influential Black World project that organised over 40 national projects and events such as local and national film seasons, film and DVD releases, education projects, workshops, and mixed-media music and film events.
Amanda Nevill, BFI Director, said: ‘We believe the 100 Black Screen Icons website will not only promote the cultural and creative importance of black professionals in film and television, but will also inspire young people globally in the future to pursue a career in film and television.
‘It is our hope that the website will become a definitive guide to black film, as well as an educational learning resource and entertaining medium which can reach a huge range of audiences all over the world.’
The nominations list has been compiled with the help of an expert panel of film practitioners, and includes directors, actors, writers and technical innovators, and covers film and television genres and eras from the past 100 years. The nominees come from UK, Europe, North America, Africa and the Caribbean.
Over a three-month voting period, the public will be asked to choose their favourite Black Screen Icon, as well as other categories including Best All Time film and Best Black British talent. There will also be a category for People’s Choice where icons outside the main 100 list can be nominated by members of the public.
Patrick Vernon, Publisher of Every Generation Media, said: ‘Black actors and directors have contributed enormously to film and television in the UK and globally. We are proud to have a significant number of elder statespeople from the world of film, such as Hattie McDaniel, Angela Bassett and Paul Robeson as well as representation from the increasing number of black British actors who are now breaking through in Hollywood, and directors and actors who have made a significant mark in the UK, such as John Akomfrah, Cathy Tyson and Lennie James.
‘Recognising those who have broken ground in terms of innovation, craftsmanship and style, 100 Black Screen Icons is a landmark in celebrating the achievements of this important and culturally significant group of nominees.’
www.100blackscreenicons.com
www.bfi.org.uk
www.everygeneration.co.uk
Launched today by Every Generation Media and the BFI, and sponsored by the UK Film Council and the BBC, 100 Black Screen Icons promotes and celebrates black creative screen talent from the African Diaspora and aims to educate and engage audiences from all backgrounds and ethnicities.
In the first-ever online poll of its kind, 100 Black Screen Icons features international personalities ranging from bankable stars such as Denzel Washington and Halle Berry to the critically heralded, like Ousmane Sembene and Oscar Michieux, as well as developing talent exemplified by British actors Ashley Walters, Sophie Okenodo, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Adrian Lester. Recognising those who have broken ground in terms of innovation, craftsmanship and style, the website is interactive, highly educational and entertaining.
Every Generation Media has an impressive track record in putting similar online polls together, including 100 Great Black Britons – launched in response to a poll of 100 Great Britons which failed to include a single black nominee. The poll is a continuation of the BFI’s earlier and tremendously influential Black World project that organised over 40 national projects and events such as local and national film seasons, film and DVD releases, education projects, workshops, and mixed-media music and film events.
Amanda Nevill, BFI Director, said: ‘We believe the 100 Black Screen Icons website will not only promote the cultural and creative importance of black professionals in film and television, but will also inspire young people globally in the future to pursue a career in film and television.
‘It is our hope that the website will become a definitive guide to black film, as well as an educational learning resource and entertaining medium which can reach a huge range of audiences all over the world.’
The nominations list has been compiled with the help of an expert panel of film practitioners, and includes directors, actors, writers and technical innovators, and covers film and television genres and eras from the past 100 years. The nominees come from UK, Europe, North America, Africa and the Caribbean.
Over a three-month voting period, the public will be asked to choose their favourite Black Screen Icon, as well as other categories including Best All Time film and Best Black British talent. There will also be a category for People’s Choice where icons outside the main 100 list can be nominated by members of the public.
Patrick Vernon, Publisher of Every Generation Media, said: ‘Black actors and directors have contributed enormously to film and television in the UK and globally. We are proud to have a significant number of elder statespeople from the world of film, such as Hattie McDaniel, Angela Bassett and Paul Robeson as well as representation from the increasing number of black British actors who are now breaking through in Hollywood, and directors and actors who have made a significant mark in the UK, such as John Akomfrah, Cathy Tyson and Lennie James.
‘Recognising those who have broken ground in terms of innovation, craftsmanship and style, 100 Black Screen Icons is a landmark in celebrating the achievements of this important and culturally significant group of nominees.’
www.100blackscreenicons.com
www.bfi.org.uk
www.everygeneration.co.uk
