FFISH 2007

© FFISH 07 is a new Film Festival for Schools taking place during Black History Season.  The event contributes to black film and television whilst supporting and maintaining links to the British Film Industry by working with and showcasing film content produced by individuals of diverse backgrounds.

The concept was born out of a need to stage an event within the season that was educational, fun but informative that brings children together in a safe environment.  The Film Festival for Schools aka FFISH 07 is the brainchild of female Business Entrepreneur Lorraine Gabriel of Gabriel Media International – a PR, Marketing and Event Management and Production specializing in the Creative Industries.

The event needed to be interactive whilst being both entertaining and able to provide an opportunity for new audiences to voice their opinions about topical and often controversial issues that impact them on a day to day basis like bullying and gun crime.

A fundamental element of the objective is being to use film as a medium to produce a multi-faceted venture for children from Primary through to Secondary Schools and College.  It had to be one that could be used to give them a voice on the one hand, and portray the imagery of black actors positively to a mass audience on the other, says Ms. Gabriel.

In addition the use of broad film content within this arena significantly needed to bridge the gap between the shortages of black history content (such as the film about the THREE DUMAS.  This set of films tells the story of General Dumas in the 1700’s who fought alongside Napoleon and his Son also Alexander Dumas who wrote the play The Three Musketeers), available within the school curriculum, and the lack of positive role models by firstly screening footage of a historical nature (Mary Seacole – The Real Angel of the Crimea) and others depicting the beauty of Africa and the Caribbean (One Love, starring British actor Vaz Blackwood and written by British filmmakers).  

Secondly it was important to utilise the services of ordinary men (Barrister - David Neita, Chocolatier – Paul Wayne Gregory whose bespoke range can be found on the fifth floor at Harvey Nichols and former US Basketball player Cory McGee whose Life Skills Education Programme helps to change attitudes by applying the discipline within the game) and women (Doirean Wilson – Programme leader of the Executive MBA course at Middlesex University Business School, Hendon Campus and others such Marcia Williams – Head of Diversity at the UK Film Council, Lois Acton – an ITV Producer who established Urban Unlimited to provide support for children through a network of businesses across the UK and Susan Jackman who started work as a cleaner for London Underground and is the current Performance Manager for the Metropolitan Line) within the community to address young minds, share experiences, inspire through achievements in their careers and give them something to aspire to above the norm.

Contributors to the Film Festival include Lionsgate Films (Akeelah and the Bees – starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne) and Hat Trick Productions (That Summer Day – a story about the London terrorist attacks on July 7th.  The film portrays the day from the perspective of children and teachers going to, at and from School.  This screening is supported by members of TFL) to name a few.  Other supporters include the Black and Asian film festival BUFFALO (Battersea Power Station, October 21st) as well as the Screen Nation Awards Founder, Charles Thompson being held this year on October 15th, at the Hilton Metropole, Edgware Road.

Poignantly Ambassadors of the government fund for 13-19year olds: Mediabox will also speak at most screenings to explain to children and educators how they can apply for up to £80,000.00 to make Media related projects.

© FFISH 07 The festival will tour five Odeon locations across London until November 16th.

Further information: www.ffish.tv Bookings: info@ffish.tv
… PRESS RELEASE ENDS ….

FFISH 2007
SCREENING SCHEDULE
Doors: 10.00am   Screening: 10.30am    

                                          BOOKINGS info@ffish.tv  SCHOOLS ONLY
                                   
October 8th – 11th                                                                  STREATHAM
WEST THURROCK
October 15th – 18th                                                                 PUTNEY
HALF TERM
October 29th – 1st November                                                 LEE VALLEY
November 5th – 8th                                                                 SURREY QUAYS