11/03/2014 - BAFTA-winning director’s Belle to screen in Los Angeles and New York

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will profile BAFTA-winning director Amma Asante (A Way of Life [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Belle [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) in April at the first of this year’s ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’. Asante’s second feature will screen on April 1 in New York and April 3 in Los Angeles ahead of its May 2 US release and June 13 UK release. Belle is inspired by the true story of a mixed race girl raised as an aristocratic Lady in England around the time of the abolition of slavery.

In 2005, BAFTA awarded Asante the Carl Foreman Award for the Most Promising Newcomer for her debut film A Way of Life. She was also named Best Director - Drama at the BAFTA Cymru Awards.

At each ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ event, a British actor, director, writer or producer who shows great promise presents a sample of recent work to an audience of film industry professionals. BAFTA also arranges a number of follow-up meetings for the individuals to meet with key industry figures in both cities.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “I am delighted that we are continuing our ‘Brits to Watch’ activity in 2014. Three years ago, with the support of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, we launched our very first ‘Brits to Watch’ event in Los Angeles. Since then, we’ve introduced a range of activity to support up-and-coming British talent and, now in its second year, ‘Brits to Watch: The Screenings’ – a strand that BAFTA is uniquely placed to deliver – introduces British rising stars to the US film industry. I am thrilled that Amma Asante – a very talented film maker, and a BAFTA winner – is our next ‘Brit to Watch’.”