I WILL TELL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The I Will Tell International Film Festival celebrates powerful, authentic stories that have been hidden, forgotten or ignored. These are stories that challenge perspectives and catalyse change. Many of our films have gone on to be nominated (and sometimes to win) in various categories at the BAFTAs and the OSCARS. The name of the festival was inspired by a young girl, called Anel, from an impoverished area in Mozambique who wanted the world to know her story in all its simplicity, authenticity, imperfection and power. Today I Will Tell gathers stories from around the world that contribute to a more complete global narrative, challenging perspectives and inspiring and motivating in ways that are truly transformative. Our festivals in the UK, US and the Caribbean premiere high quality dramas, documentaries, short films and animation. Each screening is followed by an inspirational post-screening discussion with filmmakers, community leaders, country ambassadors, subject matter experts and an engaged, culturally diverse and socially- conscious public. These discussions create a space for connecting filmmakers, change pioneers and the wider audience. Together we uncover deeper truths, enhance global empathy and catalyze change at an individual and societal level. Our jury has included Bart Gavigan (Filmmaker and Hollywood script doctor), Max Oginni (Animator, Mr Bean Series), Lashana Lynch (007, Fast Girls), Prof Robert Beckford (BBC and Channel 4), Dionne Walker (Producer, THE HARD STOP), Oris Erhuero (Sometimes in April) . Martin Kiszko (Academic and Storyteller). Our guests have included Lily James (Mama Mia), Raymond Santana (Exonerated Five) and we have premiered films by award-winning filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay as well as upcoming talents such as the Oscar nominate Kang Quintus. The festival was founded by Trinidadian born Jenny Lee who was inspired by her Christian faith to tackle some of life’s big questions and shine a light of hope on those of every gender, race, age, creed and ethic who have been overlooked, under-served and misrepresented. We showcase the most innovative and unforgettable films addressing issues such as race, social justice, relationship, faith, war and peace, business, government, gender issues, global politics and community cohesiveness. Our mission is to host, encourage and support the best of the world’s established and emerging filmmaking talent creating story-telling masterpieces. They are stories that empower the people whose voices would not otherwise be heard or whose stories have been hidden in distant memories, ignored or deliberately withheld from us. They are stories that provoke awe and wonder. 2021 will be our 15th year showcasing award-winning films from over 50 countries of a variety of genres from micro animations to epic feature-length dramas followed by thought-provoking and inspirational post-screening discussions. Our theme for this year is WHAT'S NEXT? The 2021 festival will be a hybrid event of virtual and in-person screenings. We love stories that challenge, awe us, shake us to the core of our beings and open up our minds to other possibilities. We love stories that encourage, empower, equip us and inspire us. And we love stories that remind us who we truly are. 2020 Festival Winners included The Fisherman's Diary (Kang Quintus and JEnah Johnscott) Dolapo is Fine (Ethosheia Hylton) The Salt of the Earth, Gunpei Yamamuro) (Ryû Morioka ) The full list of winners is here: https://iwilltell.tv/pages/press-release Recent (2019) festival winners included: Marzieh Riahi (Driving Lessons) Alex Blum and Noman Robin (A Modern Genocide) Tomislav Zaja (Neighbors) Emiliano Sette (Anacronte) 2018 Winners were: Tedy Necula - Beside Me Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson - Children of the Snowland Stephen Gray - Discovering Heaven Mohammed Bakshi - Are You Volleyball?! 2017 Winners were Mischa Marcus - I AM STILL HERE (Best Drama) Jonas Schaul & Oliver Becker - KINGSTON CROSSROADS (Best Documentary) Samantha Babboni - ORDINARY MAN (Best Short Film) Ya-Yu Lin - KEEP GOING (Special Mention) At our 10th anniversary in 2016, Director KEN LOACH was given our DIAMOND AWARD Special Screenings have included: WHEN THEY SEE US (Ava DuVernay) 13TH (Ava DuVernay) BIRTH OF A NATION (Nate Parker) QUEEN OF KATWE (Mira Nair) THE HELP (Tate Taylor) I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS (Fielder Cook) Other winners/outstanding films through the years have included: A BOLD PEACE (NDINADSAWAPANGA AWARD) PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL BURMA VJ INNOCENT VOICES WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED Could you be in this list next year? We look forward to welcoming you to the 14th I Will Tell International Film Festival! 2020 Theme: #DefiningMoments