WINDRUSH CARIBBEAN FILM FESTIVAL

FEATURE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

WINDRUSH CARIBBEAN FILM FESTIVAL WILL SEE THE LAUNCH OF THE PAULETTE WILSON WINDRUSH AWARD

WORDS | DUNSTAN CREAVALLE

The UK’s first Windrush Caribbean Film of the men and women who paved the way for me Festival (WCFF) will run from 17 October and for all of us who are Black in Britain,” said festito 8 November, 2020. The six day digital val co-founder, Garry Stewart of ‘Recognize - Black festival of screenings, discussions and Heritage and Culture’. “Our partners from across the master classes aims to celebrate the contributions UK have worked tirelessly to turn a planned physiand impact of the Windrush generation on life in cal festival into a dynamic virtual event.“ the UK today. It is the brainchild of Frances-Anne The festival will also see the launch of the first Solomon, inspired by her award-winning film ‘Paulette Wilson Windrush Award’, to be given in HERO, a biopic of WW2 and Windrush hero Ulric memory of the prominent Windrush campaigner Cross that toured the UK to critical acclaim in 2019. who was wrongly detained by the Home Office, Awards and prizes at the festival will include: Best and who went on to become the face of the WinFeature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short drush Scandal campaign. The award will be preFilm and Best Short Documentary. sented to an individual who has been instrumental

“As a child of the Windrush generation, I am in advancing the narrative to achieve justice for the passionate about sharing the stories and struggles Windrush generation. “We’re thrilled, and I know

my mother would be too, to have this prestigious award named after her,” said Natalie Barnes, Paulette’s daughter. “My mother was a humble woman, but she was passionate about seeking justice for everyone caught up in the Windrush scandal. To see her honoured in this way is truly a wonderful legacy for her to have left.”

Over the six days of the festival, audiences will have the opportunity to watch films, engage in discussions and participate in master classes, all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Each screening will be coupled with Q&A with major filmmakers, activists and actors. Patrick Vernon OBE, Windrush campaigner and co-author of 100 Great Black Britons, said, “The timing of this festival in the context of the official recognition of Windrush Day and the ongoing plight of the victims of the Windrush Scandal is important to record, share and celebrate this history. The festival has the potential to promote this legacy.”

The full festival schedule and trailers is available at www.windrushfilmfestival.com