Monsoon (2019)A weekly season of outstanding British films is coming to BBC Two celebrating a new wave of British filmmakers who are offering fresh perspectives on UK life and experiences. British Film Premiere: New Films from New Voices will present a brand new premiere every Saturday night, beginning on 24 October with Daniel Kokotajlo’s BAFTA-nominated Apostasy (2017).
Each film will be available on BBC iPlayer after its transmission, and all will be accompanied by a short introduction from a UK film critic. Most of the films will also be available for free on BFI Player.
The films premiering in the British Film Premiere season are all backed by BBC Film and the BFI, which awards National Lottery funding. They are all critically acclaimed feature films that premiered at top tier international film festivals, with many nominated for or winning major awards.
The majority of films in British Film Premiere were released in cinemas in 2020, with BBC Film and the BFI working closely with producers, distributors and exhibitors to experiment with traditional release windows and bring them to television audiences early. They showcase a range of filmmaking talent, many making their debut feature films, and include actors such as Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), Molly Windsor (Three Girls) and Nichola Burley (Wuthering Heights).
The films in the season are:
- Apostasy (d. Daniel Kokotajlo), introduced by Anna Smith
- Make Up (d. Claire Oakley), introduced by Corrina Antrobus
- Perfect 10 (d. Eva Riley), introduced by Leila Latif
- Lynn + Lucy (d. Fyzal Boulifa), introduced by Guy Lodge
- Monsoon (d. Hong Khaou), introduced by Hannah Woodhead
- One Man and His Shoes (d. Yemi Bamiro), introduced by Ellen E. Jones
- Dirty God (d. Sacha Polak), introduced by Nikki Baughan
British Film Premiere: New Films from New Voices starts on BBC Two on Saturday 24 October and will run weekly until mid-December.
The aim of the British Film Premiere season is to complement theatrical release strategies, supporting the UK’s independent filmmakers and creating a national platform for exciting new cinematic voices on the BBC.
“What a great year it’s been for showcasing British independent filmmaking,” says Ben Roberts, Chief Executive, BFI, “with a raft of new films screened in cinemas and at home. These 7 films speak to the wealth of emerging talent in the UK and we’re delighted to bring their brilliant work to audiences through this season. We’re grateful to National Lottery players for enabling the BFI to co-fund these films and support their wider distribution.”
“I am delighted that BBC Two will be showcasing this astonishing mix of new British films,” says BBC Two controller Patrick Holland, “making them available to audiences across the country. They are testament to the brilliant voices and talents working in the UK today and we couldn’t be prouder to bring them to the small screen.”
Rose Garnett, Director of BBC Film comments: “BBC Two was where I first encountered so many great British films and those early experiences fuelled a life-long love of cinema. Nothing compares to the big screen, but at such a difficult collective moment to bring this new wave of British filmmakers to the channel is hugely exciting. I hope that by providing a national platform for these authored, bold perspectives we can both entertain and inspire film-lovers and future filmmakers across the UK.”