Team BUFF

The shortest month of the year is far from short on the movies front as news emerges with regards to the recent BAFTA nominations. Ahead of the big buff bash on Sunday February 21, the marmite film Avatar – so called because you either love it or you hate it – has been nominated for 8 awards including best film and best director. And having picked up the big one at the recent Golden Globes, Avatar looks set to sweep up much in the same way that Slumdog Millionaire did 12 months ago. Precious has also been nominated for best film. It remains to be seen whether Mariah Carey’s star turn will give social services a PR shot in the arm (goodness knows it needs one at the moment). That aside, the die has been cast and come Oscars night on March 7, either Precious or Avatar will walk away with the best film – the daddy of them all. It’s a tough one to call: director James Cameron has been here before of course having swept the board at the 1997 Oscars with Titanic. And whilst it can be widely assumed that Cameron has cornered the feel-good/escapist market, Precious is a film that tugs at the heart strings and despite the downbeat themes, its’ based on a true story (usually a good Oscar indicator) and there are some impressive acting performances. The head says Avatar, the heart says Precious, the safe money is on Avatar... Congratulations also to Fish Tank, nominated for outstanding British Film. The highly acclaimed urban independent film is written and directed by Andrea Arnold – a previous Bafta and Oscar winner no less with Red Road and Wasp respectively. Those of you of a certain age will hazily recall the name that goes with the face – indeed it is the same Andrea Arnold (the ginger one) who, in a previous life, rollerskated around one of the most famous TV houses in the UK – No. 73. The film Nowhere Boy is also nominated for outstanding British Film, an impressive effort from debutante director Sam Taylor-Wood, albeit an artist by trade. Also nominated for outstanding debut are Eran Creevy for Shifty and Duncan Jones (otherwise known as David Bowie’s son) for Moon. Other than that there were no UK directors nominated in the best director category. One is reminded of the comment made years ago by a journalist from the Independent newspaper who said that because the British Urban Film Festival was almost exclusively showing UK films that it missed a trick by not showing films from outside the UK. One noticeable absentee from the nominations list is the film Harry Brown... In fact, when all is said and done, why is there a great fuss over award ceremonies? What is it all worth? Does Harry Brown need to be validated to show that its’ a worthy film? Are award ceremonies an opportunity for films to make even more money? Are award ceremonies pretentious ego-fests? Or are they simply just easy places to look buff and get laid? Who knows, who cares... well actually quite a lot people do judging by the blanket red carpet coverage pioneered by the likes of the E channel. Some would say that Dennis Pennis (aka actor Paul Kaye) was the catalyst for cocking a snoot at the buffness as well as those who purport to be buff... The nominations for the Brit Awards were released in the same week as the Bafta nominations and Taio Cruz wasn’t nominated for any awards. And whilst that alone shouldn’t warrant any news, word has it that our man Taio is related to a UK filmmaker who is extremely well-known to the BUFF glitterati and who recently signed a deal with a distributor for his award-winning short films – answers on a postcard (apologies for the tenuous link)...  Staying with the Brits theme and legend has it that actor Aml Ameen performed on stage with the late Michael Jackson at the 1996 Brits, the one everyone remembers for Jarvis Cocker’s famous invasion. Aml, who may now want to be known more than just Trife or PC Hardy (depends on whether you’re a fan of Kidulthood or The Bill), has just embarked on his first film for his new production company AmeenDream Entertainment.  Entitled ‘The Pick Up’, the short film is set in a trendy London nightclub and focuses on two socialite’s 20-somethings Jay (Introducing Najan Ward) and Adrian (Aml Ameen) and their quest to win the attention, and possible one night-stand bed posts of feisty university club queens Roxanne and Hannah. The adventure turns sour, when the boy’s squeaky clean mate David (Jason Maza) sticks his nose in... Aml rates himself 9 out of 10 “...cos there’s always room for improvement...” – and if you don’t believe him then standby for the launch of BUFF TV, a chance to delve into the BUFF archives from 2005 to the present day – including the interview we had with Aml Ameen where he indeed uttered those very words at the world premiere of Adulthood back in 2008... Has the British Urban Film Festival call for submissions not been mentioned yet? Another reminder that we welcome your film entries to BUFF 2010. The entries continue to come in and a big thank you already to those who believe that they have something to say to the legions of film buffs out there.   Submissions are already open for the 2010 British Urban Film Festival. Entries must be accompanied with a DVD and a cheque for £25 (made payable to Buff Enterprises Limited). The address is BUFF 2010, Buff Enterprises c/o 4front Films, 27 Ithica House, Romford Road, London E15 4LJ. 2010 is a big year for Buff Enterprises and a big thank you is due not only to all the filmmakers who have screened their films with Buff, but also all those individuals and organisations who participated in its first five years. The progress Buff has made wouldn't be possible without the contribution and the continued support.  In the 5 years since its inception, the company has been vindicated in its approach to showcase films from a cross-section of society, defined by so-called sub classes. The way that cinema and media in general is being consumed will continue to diversify. The Buff mantra demonstrates the company's mission to deliver to fans of film from far and wide. It's quite some promise though notwithstanding, it will be a privilege to deliver it.