Black History Month is an annual global event observed in the UK in October to celebrate the culture, history and achievements of Black communities.
To mark and celebrate 2021 Black History Month, Women in Film and TV are sharing events celebrating the achievements of female Black talent and teams available to watch on the WFTV Catch Up Hub all year round.
Marking a moment in time with three of the 2021 BAFTA Lead Actress nominees
The 2021 BAFTA Nominations were a moment of celebration for women of colour in the Lead Actress category, with four out of the six nominations going to Black women.
WFTV and the British Blacklist brought together three of these actors, Bukky Bakray (Rocks) - winner of the BAFTA Rising Star Award, Radha Blank (The Forty-Year-Old Version) and Wunmi Mosaku (His House) with host, Akua Gyamfi (British Blacklist) to mark this historic year with the nominations and discuss keeping the momentum going for the future. We heard how they felt about being a part of history, celebrating this important moment in their careers and their hopes for true representation both onscreen and behind the scenes.
Behind the Docuseries: Uprising
Directed by Academy Award winner Steve McQueen and James Rogan, Uprising is a new three-part documentary series examining three events from 1981 - in January, the New Cross Fire which killed 13 Black teenagers; in March, Black People’s Day of Action, which saw more than 20,000 people join the first organised mass protest by Black British people; and the Brixton riots in April.
In this panel discussion the female executive team behind the series, Rogan MD Soleta Rogan, lead Executive Producer Nancy Bornat and senior series producer Helen Bart, with host Akua Gyamfi, discussed the development process, sharing an insight to the making of the documentary which brings together testimonials from those who were there to explore race relations and reflect on the legacy of these historic events.
WFTV Q&A: In Conversation with the team behind Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power
Leigh-Anne Pinnock burst into the world of pop music after winning X-Factor with Little Mix in 2011. Now they are one of the world’s biggest girl bands. Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power is a one-off documentary that follows Leigh-Anne as she confronts her experience as the only Black member of Little Mix and as a Black woman in the music industry.
Watch the Director, Natasha Gaunt, Producer Kandise Abiola and Executive Producer Sam Bickley discuss the making of the documentary, exploring the key themes and working with Leigh-Anne to film frank conversations on Black representation in the music industry.
On the Record, In Conversation with Amy Ziering and Drew Dixon
Watch the interview with On The Record’s co-director, Amy Ziering and music executive Drew Dixon as they discussed the making of the documentary with host, Akua Gyamfi.
On The Record documents allegations of sexual assault made against one of the most powerful men in the music industry. It follows the story of former Def Jam A&R executive, Drew Dixon as she wrestles with her decision to go public and share her story with the New York Times, as one of the first women of colour to come forward in the wake of #MeToo.
WFTV Q&A: Sorry, i didn't know - breaking the diversity barrier in tv
Watch back the interview with some of the team from a classic comedy panel show but altogether new: Sorry, I Didn’t Know; airing during Black History Month 2020 and part of a slate of specially commissioned shows on the channel and promises to be bold and tongue-in-cheek viewing. Sorry, I Didn’t Know launched on ITV on Tuesday 6 October 2020, 22.45.
In this event, host Claire Bueno spoke to the show’s Team Captains: Chizzy Akudolu and Judi Love along with the show’s Executive Producer and TriForce Creative Network, Director of Operations: Minnie Ayres about how the show came about, how it is unique to other comedy panel shows, and why it was back for ITV’s Black History Month.
WFTV in conversation with Nadia Hallgren, director & dop, Becoming
In celebration of Black History Month 2020, we were pleased to join a conversation with Nadia Hallgren, Director and Cinematographer of the Michelle Obama documentary, Becoming, hosted by Anna Hall.
Becoming, available to watch on Netflix, offers a unique insight into the life and work of former First Lady Michelle Obama. This feature length film goes behind the scenes with her, as she embarks on a 34-city book tour. It features footage from her travels, appearances on talk shows and her time in the White House as First Lady. The documentary is partly based on her memoir of the same name.
WFTV Online: In conversation with Jocelyn Jee Esien
An exclusive talk with Jocelyn Jee Esien, comedian, actor and writer and star of 3 Non-Blondes, Little Miss Jocelyn, The Upstart Crow and many more.
Born to Nigerian parents in Hackney, she was the first black woman in the UK and US to be given her own comedy show. Since then she has written and appeared on film (AbFab, Hustle), television (Turn up Charlie, The Midnight Gang) and on stage as the title role in Dr Faustus and Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.
Hear as she talks about what drives her creativity, what she thinks about diversity on screen today and the role of women creatives in the content
WFTV Q&A: In Conversation with Channing Godfrey Peoples, Director and Nicole Beharie, Actor – Miss Juneteenth
Watch back an exclusive interview with director Channing Godfrey Peoples about her feature film debut Miss Juneteenth.
In this event, host Tracy Forsyth will be speaking to the filmmaker about how growing up in Fort Worth Texas inspired the story, the significance of the Miss Juneteenth pageant which takes place annually on Juneteenth - a holiday in recognition of slaves in Texas being freed - and her experiences of making the film.
You can find the full selection of Women in Film and Television's events in the Catch Up Hub here.