31 July: Picturehouse Cinema (Ritzy Brixton and Picturehouse Central)
One of our 2015 highlights was hosting the London premiere of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Beyond the Lights. Starring BAFTA rising star nominee Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle), the film was initially set for a home entertainment-only release in the UK.
We felt certain that the US film, which is partially set in Brixton, would attract a UK audience. We fought to have the film screened at the Ritzy and were eventually given permission to give the film its London premiere.
We followed the film with an informative panel including MTV’s Jasmine Dotiwala, filmmaker Cecile Emeke, journalist Simran Hans and the director of the film Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball).
The event sold out in 24 hours, prompting lots of positive press and an additional screening at Picturehouse Central and saw Gina’s work be celebrated at the BFI’s Love season later than year.