The UK Film Council is sponsoring the film category for the Commission
for Racial Equality's Race in the Media Awards (RIMA). Now in its
second year, the film category is hoping to attract entries from the
widest possible talent spectrum. Applicants have until the 17
March to submit their work.
Winners of last year's film award were Paul Morrison's Wondrous
Oblivion (Apt Films) for best film feature; Jonathan Jones's Who Killed
PC Blakelock (Films of Record Ltd) for best film documentary and Martin
Friend's Other (Screen East) for film shorts. All, in the
opinion of independent judges, made a significant contribution to
raising our collective understanding of the many communities that now
make up our nation.
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the CRE said:
"I'm delighted that the UK Film Council has joined forces with RIMA for
this year's event. RIMA's goal is to make integration in our
society a reality. The film industry has a leading role to play in
helping us achieve this by challenging old stereotypes about race,
ethnicity and culture and in some cases increasing understanding to
huge audiences about extremely complex issues. The more voices
from more diverse backgrounds we have contributing to these debates,
the better. Last year, the judges of the film category said that the
quality of all the submissions was extremely high - but without
these awards, it's questionable whether those entering would ever
receive recognition for their work."
The RIMA awards ceremony will be held on 14 June 2006 at the Royal Opera House, London.