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| Century 21 Films lockdown phenomenon Nebula-75 is due to air early next year in Japan and via cinemas too. To celebrate, the Century 21 Films team have made a free preview episode available on Youtube that you can watch HERE. However, without the coronavirus situation of the past 20 months the series may never have been. Intended to evoke a 1960s Supermarionation series that never actually existed, Nebula-75 began its life during the UK Coronavirus lockdown of 2020. When the team at Century 21 Films found their planned projects cancelled as a result of the global pandemic, they made the decision to attempt to produce something worthwhile using the resources they had to hand in the London flat where a number of them lived. Fortunately, thanks to their work on productions such as Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes, Endeavour, and UK television advertisements, they had numerous puppets, props and models to hand. Nebula-75 was filmed by a crew of three who happened to already live together during a time when travel was made impossible, with other members of the Century 21 Films team lending their talents remotely. It was originally intended as a one-off production and premiered as a ten minute short, but the resulting film was received so warmly and passionately by online viewers that plans for further instalments were soon made. A full length series of half hour episodes were produced throughout the course of 2020, introducing new vehicles and guest characters. Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, the team have also been able to leave their flat in order to continue production in more suitable studio premises. The result has been a second series of episodes that expand upon the scope and ambition of the original run. Transcending its lockdown origins, Nebula-75 has evolved into a fully fledged Supermarionation production in its own right. You can watch Season 1 of Neubula-75 on Amazon now and watch the first episode of Season 2 via Amazon Prime. |
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| Nebula-75 Trivia – Nebula-75 was created during the first UK lockdown and is intended to nostalgically evoke a 1960s series that never actually existed. It takes inspiration from the Gerry and Sylvia Anderson “Supermarionation” series of that era (Thunderbirds, Stingray, Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlet etc), while remaining its own unique entity. – The series was created by Stephen La Rivière and Andrew T. Smith. – Stephen and his two flatmates (his girlfriend Géraldine Donaldson and colleague Elliot Pavelin) filmed and puppeteered the first short film themselves in their small living room and used existing puppets from previous Century 21 Films Supermarionation productions. – A couple of friends helped from outside – such as making the model of the Nebula-75 remotely and posting it to the flat. – The voices of Commander Neptune and Lieutenant Solstice were delivered remotely from Canada. The rest were recorded in the UK. – The sets were initially built onto the back of bookcases and dressed in vinyl and ordinary objects the team had laying around. – The initial short film went live on YouTube and Facebook in May 2020 and received a huge response – at least a million views across different platforms – The team produced a second episode due to viewer demand and in response received an enquiry about buying from the Tohokushinsha Film Corporation in Japan. TFC have controlled Japanese rights to Thunderbirds and other Supermarionation shows for 50 years. – BBC Front Row interviewed the team within the first three weeks which increased the series’ following. The team then turned Samira Ahmed into a puppet and she did the voice for the series’ Christmas episode. She later promoted the series on Channel 4’s Countdown. – In a year Century 21 Films produced 8 episodes in the flat (by the second lockdown, Andrew was able to come to stay so the crew expanded to four). – The initial 8, plus a further 4 episodes produced recently outside of the flat, have been bought by Tohokushinsha Film Corporation to broadcast on Star Channel in Japan in Q1 of 2022. – This is part of an overall campaign in Japan that showcases all of Century 21 Films’ new Supermarionation work including a theatrical release of Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes, and a broadcast of the documentary Century 21 Slough. – The first episode of Nebula-75 will be shown at the cinema, along with three new 50th anniversary episodes of Thunderbirds that Century 21 Films produced in 2015. – One of the four recently produced episodes has been directed by 90-year-old David Elliott, who directed on the original Thunderbirds series. – David Graham – the 96-year-old voice of Parker in Thunderbirds – also provided a voice for Nebula-75. He played a character modelled on Thunderbirds director David Elliott to celebrate his 90th birthday. – The series has spurned merchandise, including a DVD and Blu-Ray of the first series, and “Solar Smacks” badges. |
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| NEBULA-75 CHARACTER PROFILES: COMMANDER NEPTUNE A lone man in uniform responsible for a crew of lively civilian recruits, Commander Neptune’s overriding desire is to get his shipmates home. In a vast and isolated patch of space, he grapples with the loneliness of command at the same time wondering if his destiny might actually lie amongst the stars. DOCTOR ASTEROID Fastidious and knowledgeable, German Doctor Asteroid can sometimes care a little too much about the well-being of his patients. Even when distracted by his favourite snack, Solar Supremes, the Doctor’s heart is in the right place and whenever the situation calls for it, he bravely rises to the occasion. ATHENA A mysterious telepath from a race known as the Space Maidens, Athena is an unexpected arrival aboard the Nebula-75 and a guiding light in a dark corner of the universe. Kindly and enigmatic in nature, she uses her extraordinary powers to assist the crew when she can. CIRCUIT Ramshackle, rusty, and feisty, Circuit is nevertheless a valuable member of the Nebula-75 crew. Always at the ready, he is an all purpose robot capable of piloting the ship, combatting intruders and making the tea. LIEUTENANT SOLSTICE Organized, positive, and a little playful, Lt. Solstice multi-tasks to keep the ship running. A calming influence, she uses her knowledge of the crew to bring out the best in them whenever she is able. LIEUTENANT MERCURY Whatever the job, the crew of the Nebula-75 know they can turn to the dutiful Lieutenant Mercury for help. Wide eyed and enthusiastic, Mercury is equally at home on the bridge or in engineering and he aspires to some day be as capable an astronaut as his Commander. |
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| FILMMAKER PROFILES: Stephen La Rivière (Co-Creator, Writer, Director, Voice Actor), Andrew T. Smith (Co-Creator, Writer, Producer), Geraldine Donaldson (Voice Actor, Writer), Elliot Pavelin (Editor, Post Production Supervisor) STEPHEN LA RIVIERE Stephen La Rivière is a co-founder of Century 21 Films Ltd and the co-creator and co-writer of Nebula-75. He serves as the series’ lead director and co-producer in addition to providing the English language voices of Doctor Asteroid, Lieutenant Mercury and other guest characters. He has written numerous publications both for England and Japan, including his book Filmed in Supermarionation, which offers a comprehensive history of the puppet productions of the team led by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. This in turn led to his 2014 feature documentary of the same name. In 2015, he oversaw Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes – creating three new episodes of classic-style Thunderbirds using the techniques employed during the 1960s. ANDREW T. SMITH Andrew is a co-founder of Century 21 Films and the co-creator and co-writer of Nebula-75. Andrew has acted as co-producer for the series in addition to overseeing the recording and editing of the English language dialogue tracks. His most recent documentary film, Cartoon Carnival, was released in 2021 and outside of production he has authored and co-authored books on film and television history. GERALDINE DONALDSON A puppeteer, script-writer, actress and costume designer, Swiss-born Géraldine Donaldson moved to England to join the crew of Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes. For Nebula-75 Géraldine was responsible for the dressing, stringing and styling of the puppets, as well as lip-sync operating. She also oversaw all elements of the set design. In addition to puppet-wrangling and set-design, she performs the English language voice of Athena. ELLIOT PAVELIN A puppeteer and post-production supervisor, Elliot Pavelin’s first job with Century 21 Films was on Thunderbirds: The Anniversary Episodes and he has since worked on all their subsequent Supermarionation productions, including a Thunderbirds advert for the Halifax bank and the Endeavour TV series. He has turned his hand to many roles and for Nebula-75 he multi-tasked as the lead puppeteer, picture and sound editor as well as finding time to do visual effects work. |
| WEBSITE: www.nebula-75.com CENTURY 21 FILMS WEBSITE: www.century21films.co.uk TWITTER: www.twitter.com/nebula_75 FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nebula75series INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/century21films |
Category Archives: News
Experience12 tests your pop-culture knowledge this Christmas!
0| Featuring the best of TV, Gaming and Film from the past year |
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| To view the full image & take part in the challenge please visit: www.experience12.com/xmas |
| We have finally made it to the end of the year and if there is something we can all agree on, it’s that we have had some amazing entertainment to help us get through it! As is tradition, the incredible team at Experience12 are back at it again with their pop-culture Christmas challenge, and this year it is back bigger & better than before! As the world opened up following the pandemic, 2021 proved itself to be a bumper year for entertainment. October alone saw 16.4 million cinema admissions – the biggest October since 2012. Consumers are watching nearly 4 hours of TV a day, which although down on 2020 during lockdown, it’s still 50% more than 2019. Also now 93% of 16-24-year-olds are playing video games, which is also up from 73% in 2020. To celebrate our love for pop culture Experience12 have created their largest pop culture Christmas challenge yet. Hidden in their IP isometric illustration is a total of 47 references across film, TV and video games – some more overt than others, but a true pop culture aficionado will spot them all. We’ve included a tease of the full image above, but head to www.experience12.com/xmas for the full experience! |
Icelandic psychological mystery Quake to have World Premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
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108 MEDIA BOARDS MORAYO AKANDÉ’S UK-JAPAN COMEDY-HORROR’KONBINI ZOMBIES’
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Riot Games, Netflix and Disney to attend Lucca Comics and Games 2021
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| Some of pop cultures biggest brands, stars and companies will be attending Europe’s largest pop culture festival Lucca Comics and Games 2021 from October 29th – Nov 1st. The master of comics Frank Miller, creator of ‘300’, ‘Sin City’ and ‘The Dark Knight Returns’, will be in Lucca for the presentation of the documentary dedicated to him, Frank Miller – American Genius, by director Silenn Thomas. The film explores half-century-long career of the author, who became a point of reference for the art of storytelling, pop culture and politics thanks to his work. From complicated personal affairs to worldwide success in print and film, the documentary is an epic journey into the mind and heart of one of the most prolific and iconic authors of our time. Roberto Saviano, the author of Gomorrah, a best-selling exposé of the Camorra Mafia in Naples. will be attending to promote is first graphic novel called Sono Ancora Vivo (I’m Still Alive) with drawings by Tel Aviv-based illustrator Asaf Hanuka. In gaming, Riot Games will be showcasing Arcane. The exhibition will include a series of original sketches artwork and two very special collaborative handmade pieces, the boots of Jinx and the hextech glove of Vi, the two sisters protagonists of the series, on display. The exhibition will be held at the ex-Museo del Fumetto (Comics Museum) and include works dedicated to the cities of Zaun and Piltover for a unique and perfect experience to await the imminent release of the TV series Arcane, available on Nexflix from November 7th. Netflix will be hosting a special event dedicated to The Witcher with a special panel. Kim Bodnia, who joins the cast for series two as Vesemir, will be joined by Joey Batey, who plays Jaskier. Series creator Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, costume designer Lucinda Wright and production designer Andrew Laws will be in attendance. The Walt Disney Company Italia will be present at Lucca Comics & Games 2021 to present some new titles coming to the cinema and on Disney+. The new Disney animated film Encanto and Disney+ will also present the Italian premiere of the first two episodes of Dopesick – Declaration of Addiction, starring Michael Keaton. Searchlight Pictures films The Dark House and Antlers – Insatiable Spirit will be shown at Lucca Comics & Games 2021 with special screenings. Finally, Italian Gothic Band Lacuna Coil will be present at the festival’s Rock ‘n’ Comics. Emanuele Vietina, Director of Lucca Comics & Games says “Lucca Comics & Games is the biggest comic convention in Europe, a cultural festival dedicated to storytelling and modern forms of art. Lucca is a also a community event merging the modern mythology of comics, movies and rock with the Italian monumental heritage of a historic Tuscan town. This year, we offer a unique program which presents Frank Miller alongside Roberto Saviano and brings back major film studios such as Disney and Netflix to Lucca. Bringing this festival to life after a difficult pandemic year is our own way of celebrating Pop Culture.” Official site www.luccacomicsandgames.com FB & IG: @luccacomicsandgames; TW: @LuccaCandG |
Lucca Comics & Games festival takes place from October 29th to November 1st in Lucca, Italy
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| To re-behold the stars: light is the claim of the 55th year of Lucca Comics & Games festival happening in person from 29th October to 1st of November 2021 in Italy. This year Italy is honouring Dante Alighieri, the poet and philospher, by celebrating the 700th anniversary of his death and Dante’s Divine Comedy sets the tone for the returning festival – a community event that not only produced culture but creates a place where people can share experiences by occupying and interacting with and within a unique and monumental city. Light is the synthesis of this new Lucca Comics & Games, which signals a passage from dark to light, and paves a road to a new kind of normal. Visitors will go back to meeting creators of universes that have been an integral part of the festival – comics, games, storytelling, modern mythologies and big and small industries represented in these worlds. “Lucca Comics & Games is a unique cross-media event dedicated to pop culture, cosplay and comics held in a medieval Tuscan town. Before the pandemic, each year more than 250,000 fans walked through our city walls to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy. Our organisation has worked very close with government to implement safety rules. We are delighted to be able to open our gates again after a year of darkness. “Thence we came forth to re-behold the stars” is the last line in Dante’s Inferno. To me it means a new beginning and the hope that we will again be able to embrace our imagination and experience an unforgettable live event.” says Emanuele Vietina, Director of Lucca Comics & Games. THE FESTIVAL RECONQUERS THE CITY Lucca Comics & Games returns to the heart of Lucca, Italy, offering the public the chance to find the most beloved publishers and exhibitors in historical areas and in places to (re)discover: the central core of comics will remain Piazza Napoleone. The iconic pavilion has is coming back together with Palazzo Ducale and the historical spaces of the Palazzetto dello Sport, where the festival was held until 2005 and returns this year for the first time in 15 years. The world of gaming will be housed in the Real Collegio and in the Cavallerizza area Japan World will conquer the large spaces of the Polo Fiere di Lucca. The Music & Cosplay area will be hosted in the San Francesco complex. All these worlds will be increasingly interconnected within the Festival: visitors will be invited to travel from one to the other, to enrich their passions and rediscover the pleasure of being in Lucca. LIGHT The theme of Light will visually accompany the Festival experience with contemporary Italian illustrator Paolo Barbieri, creating the distinctive image of Lucca Comics & Games poster. In the year of Dante’s celebrations, he creates the poetic vision that links Lucca Comics & Games to Dante’s journey with Virgil through the darkness of Hell. The artist visually tells the story of the Festival’s adventurous journey, with its colourful paraphernalia of cosplayers, dragons and spaceships married to the literary and mythological forces that live in Dante’s poetry. Paolo Barbieri says “I decided to draw a road suspended in the sky that leads us towards Dante who, opening his red robe, reveals a fantastic Lucca opening up to receive the Festival. This grassy road, suspended in the midst of other flying rocks leads to the realm of fantasy with Lucca understood as a true door of the Imagination which I have tried to recreate in my own way to convey the sense of wonder in Dante’s myth.” COSPLAY WITHIN VILLA BOTTINI Suspended between theatrical performance and costume craftsmanship, the cosplay world finds its home within the evocative Villa Bottini, an architectural masterpiece of Lucca. The frescoed rooms and the garden will host some of the most interesting communities, including Assassin’s Creed Cosplay, Terre di Mezzo Cosplayer, Ghostbuster Italia, Avengers / X-Men and 501 Italica Rebel/Legion Empisa. There will also be space for medieval fantasy, steampunk, the post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead, the universe of Harry Potter and the magic of Disney. Dozens of characters will come to life, animating Villa Cosplay, with professional photoshoots, workshops and wardrobe services, to enjoy the Festival in complete safety. The San Francesco Auditorium will host the long-awaited Cosplay Competition on Saturday 30 October: backstage interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and lots of fun for what has always been considered one of the unmissable events of Lucca Comics and Games. INFORMATION: Official site www.luccacomicsandgames.com FB & IG: @luccacomicsandgames; TW: @LuccaCandG |
Pop Up Screens, the outdoor cinema experience, returns this summer
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| Pop Up Screens are delighted to announce their return to London with an enormous season of outdoor cinema packed with feel good movies, guilty pleasures, and cult classics that will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Pop Up Screens invites you and your family to indulge in an evening that you won’t forget with your loved ones. Its ‘relaxed atmosphere and friendly vibe’, praised by critics across the country will have you coming back year after year. This year, Pop Up Screens will span across eight london parks and open spaces over three months, launching on 9th July at Coram’s Fields with the fan favourite, The Craft. Pop Up Screens offers films for fans of all genres; including smash hit musical dramas such as The Greatest Showman, A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman. For audiences wanting nostalgia, fans will be able to revisit fan favourites Back To The Future, The Goonies and Dirty Dancing and many more. Join us for a movie or two and you’ll find a great environment, along with a bar, and some of London’s best street food traders. Pop Up Screenings Full Listings 9 July – Corams Fields – The Craft 10 July – Corams Fields – The Greatest Showman 11 July – Corams Fields – Bill & Ted Face the Music 16 July – Bishops Park, Fulham – 10 Things I Hate About You 17 July – Bishops Park, Fulham – Dirty Dancing 18 July – Bishops Park, Fulham – The Goonies 23 July – North Greenwich – 500 Days of Summer 24 July – North Greenwich – Grease 25 July – North Greenwich – Back to the Future 30 July – Hillyfields, Brockley – The Goonies 31 July – Hillyfields, Brockley – Dirty Dancing 1 Aug – Hillyfields, Brockley – Greatest Showman 6 Aug – Corams Fields – JoJo Rabbit 6 Aug – Corams Fields – Pretty Woman 6 Aug – Corams Fields – Ghostbusters 13 Aug – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – Jaws 14 Aug – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – Bohemian Rhapsody 15 Aug – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – The Greatest Showman 16 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – The Greatest Showman 17 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – Moonlight 18 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – Philadelphia 19 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – The Beach 20 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – Dreamgirls 21 Aug – Guildhall, City of London – Priscilla Queen of the Desert 27 Aug – Manor House Gardens, Hither Green – Bohemian Rhapsody 28 Aug – Manor House Gardens, Hither Green – The Greatest Showman 29 Aug – Manor House Gardens, Hither Green – A Star is Born 3 Sept – Bishops Park, Fulham – Rocket Man 4 Sept – Bishops Park, Fulham – A Star is Born 5 Sept – Bishops Park, Fulham – The Greatest Showman 10 Sept – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – Dirty Dancing 11 Sept – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – Jurassic Park 12 Sept – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith – Rocket Man 17 Sept – Kennington Park, Oval – The Greatest Showman 18 Sept – Kennington Park, Oval – Notting Hill 19 Sept – Kennington Park, Oval – A Star is Born Tickets for Pop Up Screens can be bought at popupscreens.co.uk |
BAFTA: THE 2021 EE RISING STAR AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
0The five nominees for the renowned EE Rising Star Award, now in its 16th year, have been announced as part of a virtual event livestreamed from the elegant setting of The Savoy, London.
Hosted by BAFTA Chief-Executive Amanda Berry OBE and film broadcaster Edith Bowman, 2014 EE Rising Star nominee George MacKay (1917) announced the highly anticipated nominee shortlist for 2021 via livestream for the first time in the Award’s sixteen-year history.
The British line-up of five nominees have each demonstrated their phenomenal skills in film over the past year, allowing the public and film industry experts alike to escape the every day and explore the world of film. Public voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be revealed at the EE British Academy Film Awards on April 11th 2021.
The EE Rising Star Award nominees for 2021 are:
BUKKY BAKRAY is a multi-award-nominated actress who received critical acclaim for her debut lead performance in breakout hit Rocks, directed by Sarah Gavron. As well as her nomination for the EE Rising Star Award, she has received nominations from the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and London Critics Circle, and has been longlisted in BAFTA’s ‘Leading Actress’ category for 2021. She is part of this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough programme and has been named as a rising star to watch by Time Out and Dazed 100. Bukky’s passion for acting continues to grow having completed a year-long course as part of RADA Youth Company. She is currently enrolled on Theatre Peckham’s Originate Acting Course, where young performers receive specialist actor training with top-tier drama schools, Guildhall School and RADA, and industry professionals.
Bukky Bakray commenting on her nomination, said: “I honestly feel so blessed to be recognised so early on in my career. I still can’t believe this, I’m not sure I ever will either. All the warmth and love from BAFTA and EE is beautiful and I’m grateful. Thank you.”
CONRAD KHAN is best known for his highly acclaimed role as Tyler, in Henry Blake’s 2020 feature film, County Lines. A performance that has earnt him a BIFA nomination for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ as well as Screen International Star of Tomorrow. Conrad’s first role came in 2016 as a young Chris Hemsworth (Eric) in The Huntsman: Winter’s War, and he has most recently been cast as a lead in the final series of the BAFTA award-winning Peaky Blinders, opposite Cillian Murphy and Paul Anderson.
Conrad Khan, commenting on his nomination, said: “‘A huge thank you to BAFTA for this nomination! I am so excited and proud to be in such great company – the EE Rising Star Award is something I never would have even dreamt of at the start of my career. I am really looking forward to being part of this year’s awards. It is an honour.”
KINGSLEY BEN-ADIR is the breakout star of Regina’s King’s directorial debut film One Night in Miami and has been making headlines with his captivating portrayal of Malcolm X. The film has received three Golden Globe nominations, with Kingsley picking up the prestigious ‘Breakthrough Actor’ Award at the Gotham Independent Film Awards and the ‘Breakthrough Performer’ by the New York Film Critics (NYFCO). He has also been longlisted in BAFTA’s ‘Leading Actor’ category for 2021. Kingsley’s career started on the stage, in plays including Mark Rylance’s Much Ado About Nothing at The Old Vic. On screen, he most recently starred opposite Zoe Kravitz in the Hulu series High Fidelity; played a co-lead role in the third series of the Brit Marling Netflix series The OA; played Colonel Ben Younger in the BBC/Netflix drama Peaky Blinders; and starred in films The Commuter, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Trespass Against Us.
Kingsley Ben-Adir, commenting on his nomination, said: “It’s an honour to be picked as a BAFTA EE Rising Star. I have always had great respect for this award and have admired the selection each year, so to be in this category, and to be recognised in this way, means a lot. Thank you.”
MORFYDD CLARK has been singled out by critics for her breath-taking performance in Rose Glass’s award-winning debut Saint Maud. Hailed as the ‘Star of Tomorrow’ by Screen International, Morfydd was identified by The Guardian as the ‘Breakout Star’ of the 2019 festival circuit and has gone on to win the London Critic’s Circle Award for ‘British/Irish Actress of the Year’, be nominated for a BIFA award in the category of ‘Best Actress’ and has also been longlisted in BAFTA’s ‘Leading Actress’ category for 2021. Morfydd appeared as both ‘Dora Spenlow’ and ‘Clara Copperfield’ in Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield, and as ‘young Jane’ in Craig Robert’s Eternal Beauty opposite Sally Hawkins in 2020. She is currently in New Zealand filming a lead role in Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings.
Morfydd Clark, commenting on her nomination, said: “I’m delighted and disbelieving that I have been nominated for such a prestigious award by BAFTA and the EE Rising Star jury, thank you to all who compiled the list of nominees. I am honoured to be recognised amongst this group of talented, British actors. It has been a difficult year for many people and I hope the next few months will bring hope and a brighter future for the arts.”
ṢỌPẸ́ DÌRÍSÙ is quickly establishing himself as an internationally renowned actor, showcasing a range of disciplines across film, television and theatre. Dìrísù can currently be seen on Netflix in Remi Weekes’ horror/thriller, His House, which earned him ‘Critic’s Choice Super’ and BIFA award nominations for ‘Best Actor’, and in the SKY/AMC series, Gangs of London. Previous film credits include war drama, Sand Castle, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, as well as Ariel Vromen’s sci-fi thriller, Criminal. On television, most notably, Dìrísù was seen in AMC’s Humans and in Netflix’s series, Black Mirror, for which he received the ‘Rising Star Award’ for the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards. He has been selected as a Screen International ‘Star of Tomorrow’ and in 2017 received a Commendation at the Ian Charleson Awards for his performance as Coriolanus at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Ṣọpẹ́ is currently in Ireland shooting a lead role in Mr Malcolm’s List. Upcoming releases include Mothering Sunday with Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, Tim Felhbaum’s Berlinale Special Tides and Silent Night with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Goode.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù commenting on his nomination, said: “The history of the EE Rising Star Award is full of such exceptional and inspirational talents and I’m so grateful to both EE and BAFTA for considering me amongst them. I’m properly delighted for all my fellow nominees for being recognised in what can only be described as a difficult and challenging year for everyone across the world.”
This year, the EE Rising Star Award jury panel was tasked with selecting the five nominees from a comprehensive list of up-and-coming talented actors and actresses. For the first time in the Award’s history, this took place virtually, where the jury passionately discussed which five longlisted nominees would go head-to-head in the public vote, ahead of the EE BAFTA Film Awards for 2021.
The jury was chaired by BAFTA Chair and award-winning television producer, Krishnendu Majumdar, producer and director Anand Tucker, actors Naomi Ackie, Jo Hartley and Alicia Vikander, casting directors Leo Davis, Nina Gold and Lucy Bevan, Creative Director Gaylene Gould and other leading industry specialists and entertainment journalists.
Edith Bowman, EE Rising Star Award broadcaster, said: “It is an honour to once again announce the nominees for the EE Rising Star Award, this year feels more special than ever. I am always astonished by the calibre of talent which are presented every year, and the five shortlisted nominees for 2021 are no exception, with their breath-taking ability to tell stories and transform into a character who the audience trust and believe in. As always, this is the only award which the British public can have their say and vote for their winner. I for one can’t wait to find out who film fans across the country are most invested in and want to see take home this incredible accolade.”
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at BT & EE, added: “Despite the changes the film industry has faced over the past 12 months, we are delighted to still be able to celebrate the talented actors and actresses who have graced our screens – who make up the shortlist for 2021. It’s a real honour for us to play a part in recognising emerging talent each year in partnership with BAFTA, and this year’s nominees are amongst those who have gripped the nation with their performances. I urge everyone to watch their films this year and can’t wait to discover who the public decides will win this incredible award for 2021.”
Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards & Content at BAFTA, said: “Recognising and supporting creatives is at the heart of everything we do at BAFTA and it is particularly exciting to see talent shortlisted today who have been previously supported by our BAFTA Breakthrough programme, part of our year-round work to showcase emerging and under-represented talent. We’re so delighted to be working with EE once-again to present this fantastic shortlist of performers and proud to see new British talent flourishing across the industry.”
Hosted from The Savoy, London, The EE Rising Star Award announcement continues the venue’s rich connections with the world of performing arts, and underlines its commitment to supporting film, theatre and television in the UK.
EE has been a long-standing partner of BAFTA’s Film Awards, working with BAFTA to bring film fans closer to the awards through the magic of technology. Since the partnership began, EE has not only worked with BAFTA to introduce the EE Rising Star Award but also used its award-winning network to create new and exciting opportunities for film fans to be part of the action.
Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be announced at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 11th April 2021 on BBC One.
200 Cinema Seats for Essential Workers from Pop Up Screens
0| The sell-out Christmas experience Cinema in the Snow returns for its 6th year to a new home in Peckham |
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| Independent cinema Pop Up Screens is back this winter, taking over Peckham’s popular Copeland Park and Bussey Building with ‘Cinema in the Snow’ – and to spread some much needed Christmas cheer they’re giving away 200 seats to essential workers. The festive-themed cinema will kick off as soon as Lockdown lifts on 03 December with Gremlins and feature new and classic movies like Elf, Love Actually, Last Christmas, Home Alone and The Holiday until 20 Dec. To enter the lottery, essential workers (that’s health care and social professionals, those working in education, the postal services and in supermarkets, fire services police and armed forces) need to fill in the sign up form which can be accessed here: https://mailchi.mp/popupscreens/frontline-workers-giveaway Winners will be chosen at random and each will receive two tickets to a screening of their choice (the full T&C’s can be found below the sign-up form). If you’re not an essential worker but still want to book, tickets (priced from £16) can be booked by visiting https://popupscreens.designmynight.com All COVID-19 safety precautions can be viewed here. Tickets will be refunded if events are cancelled due to COVID-19. |
‘Cinema in the Snow’ from Pop Up Screens launches with new dates
0| The sell-out Christmas experience returns for its 6th year to a new home in Peckham |
 Independent cinema Pop Up Screens is back this winter, taking over Peckham’s popular Copeland Park and Bussey Building with ‘Cinema in the Snow’ – a stunning cinematic Christmas experience set in a magical snow-filled wonderland. After adjusting the dates due to the COVID pandemic, the festive-themed cinema will kick off on 02 December with The Greatest Showman and feature new and classic Christmas movies such as: Last Christmas, Home Alone, Love Actually, Elf, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Nightmare Before Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, Gremlins, Muppets Christmas Carol and The Holiday.  The sell-out experience returns for its sixth year to a new home at Copeland Park, bringing the North Pole to South London. Visitors will enter through a magical wardrobe and discover an enchanting snow-filled winter wonderland before they grab a mulled wine and cosy up amongst the icy firs for their favourite Christmas movie.Cinema in the Snow is part of a series of events taking place at Peckham’s popular Bussey building, including the Forbidden Forest Cinema, Halloween screenings in a spooky indoor forest which took place (23 October – 05 November).  Adult tickets will be priced from £19.50 with concessions for family (group) tickets. Tickets can be booked from www.popupscreens.co.uk Our COVID-19 safety precautions can be viewed here. All tickets will be refunded if events are cancelled due to COVID-19. |
Creature Feature Corner 