Making its debut in 2021, crime-drama series BMF (Black Mafia Family) has proven its prowess with a steadily increasing loyal fanbase, its latest season, season 3 witnessing the highest multi-platform ratings thus far. The success of season 3, of course manifesting into a season 4, with the announcement of a renewal. The tale of two brothers – Demetrius Edward “Big Meech” Flenory (played by real-life son Demetrius Flenory Jr.) and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory (played by Da’Vinchi) amassing an elaborate drug empire in 80s America one that has witnessed the duo repetitively referenced musically as a marker of their scope globally, currently dramatised weekly on STARZ and various platforms. Starring as Big Meech’s love interest ‘Angel’, rising star Kadianne Whyte highlights the tale of a struggling dancer brought up in harrowing circumstances – having lost her family at a young age in a car crash, she’s had to fend for herself, brought up in foster care, she strives for a happier future – Big Meech someone who could give her a chance at that. Ahead of the season 3 finale on Friday 3rd May, Kadianne tells us more about approaching playing Angel, training to become a nurse before deciding to pursue her dream of becoming a performer and what she’s learned from working on the show.
Returning for another year this bank holiday weekend, the UK’s biggest celebration of hip hop culture returns with a fresh line up of inventive, creative and innovative dance works. On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May, dance collectives from across the globe will continue on with the Breakin’ Convention tradition of igniting imaginations whilst pushing the culture forward. Talented South London originated collective Gully South Block forms part of Saturday’s roster at Sadler’s Wells, this performance marking their second appearance at the festival – a testament to their skillset and determination, especially in their pursuit to highlight the powerful dance style of krump. Ahead of their performance, Chaquille tells us more about the concepts explored within their dance work, utilising the collectives skillsets to choreograph works and what the audience can expect!
Hi Chaquille, you’ll be taking part in this year’s Breakin’ Convention on Saturday 4th May, taking place at Sadler’s Wells, How are you feeling ahead of the event?
Hi, I am feeling very excited ahead of the event as this will be our second time performing at Breakin’ Convention. Myself and the team are grateful to be given the opportunity to showcase our art for the second time at a major festival.
Shortlisted from a total of 187 short films, Red, White and Blue has made its mark, making it as a finalist in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category at this year’s Academy Awards, to take place on Sunday 10th March at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The film exploring Rachel’s story – a moving reality of a single parent in a precarious position forced to cross state lines in search of a necessary abortion. As we learn more about Rachel and the series of events that led to this journey, we learn a heartbreaking truth which means her life will never be the same again. Ahead of this year’s awards, Nazrin tells us more about exploring this sensitive subject further, working with fellow producer Sara McFarlane, cinematographer Adam Suschitzky and the cast consisting of Brittany Snow, Juliet Donenfeld, Redding Munsell, Jud Tylor, Ashley A. Williams, Sloan Muldown, Taryn Leggett, Neil Napier, Peter Breitmayer, Adam Lee and Mo Collins and what she’s learned from creating the film.
Little known to many, Colombian born Griselda Blanco amassed a staggering drug empire, in 1970s and 80s Miami – unsuspecting to many around her, and with this, enduring a life of brutality and ambition that would inevitably result in an ascent to power. Supported by her right hand man – Rivi Ayala, Griselda would gain the reputation as the ‘Godmother of the Underworld’. Currently a hit Netflix drama available to stream, her story is dramatised by leading Hollywood star Sofia Vergara, alongside multi-award winning actor Martín Rodriguez who takes on the role of Rivi. Enjoying critical acclaim, Martin tells us more about approaching playing the role, working with the cast and crew and what viewers who haven’t yet watched the show can expect.
Hi Martin! You star in the hit Netflix series Griselda currently available to stream now. What feedback have you received towards the show so far?
We are very happy with the results from the series this year, it was very hard work during the whole year of 2022. It is very exciting because it is something that we did from the heart with Latin American actors featuring Sofia Vergara who was very, very generous with everything that she could be, so yeah, we’re very happy!
In a matter of days, the BAFTA Awards will descend on one of the UK’s most prestigious arts venues – the Royal Albert Hall. The annual celebration an acknowledgment of Britain’s finest filmmakers and their undeniable storytelling skillset at both a televisual and filmic level. With a total of 25 categories in all, the nation’s emerging, as well as high profile stars will don the red carpet in anticipation of the evening’s results, and overall, in appreciation of art and how art is expressed. Having honed his craft as an animator at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) on the Directing Animation MA course, Ross Stringer’s coastal themed film Crab Day is one of this year’s ‘British Short Animation’ finalists awaiting Sunday’s result. An exploration of self acceptance, nurturing our differences and going against the status quo, the film follows a fishing community’s annual ritual, whereby a young boy must kill his first crab in order to become a man and gain his father’s approval. Ahead of the award ceremony on Sunday 18th February, Ross tells us more about what it means to make it as a finalist, exploring the film’s themes further and the creative process.
In a matter of days, the BAFTA Awards will descend on one of the UK’s most prestigious arts venues – the Royal Albert Hall. The annual celebration an acknowledgment of Britain’s finest filmmakers and their undeniable storytelling skillset at both a televisual and filmic level. With a total of 25 categories in all, the nation’s emerging, as well as high profile stars will don the red carpet in anticipation of the evening’s results, and overall, in appreciation of art and how art is expressed. Multi-award winning writer and director Yasmin Afifi is one of this year’s finalists, having been acknowledged for her profound watch Jellyfish and Lobster – a tale of grief told from the eyes of two terminally ill patients faced with this existential reality. Ahead of the ceremony on Sunday 18th February, Yasmin tells us more about exploring this heartfelt narrative further, working alongside a devoted creative team to realise the film and what she’d like for viewers to take away from the film.
Shortlisted from a total of 187 short films, Invincible has made its mark, as it currently awaits the results of the final nominee list, to be announced on Tuesday 23rd January. One of 14 nominees currently in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category, the film delicately depicts the tale of a young man yearning for his freedom, and the drastic levels he will go to in order to achieve it. This is a piece created in memory of Marc-Antoine Bernier, recounting the last 48 hours of the 14-year-old boy’s life on a desperate quest for freedom. Ahead of this year’s announcement, Vincent tells us more about exploring this powerful story further, what the film’s journey has entailed so far and what audiences can expect from the film.
Hi Vincent, your film Invincible has made this year’s Academy Award shortlist in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category. How are you feeling?
Shortlisted from a total of 187 short films, Knight of Fortune has made its mark, as it currently awaits the results of the final nominee list, to be announced on Tuesday 23rd January. One of 14 nominees currently in the ‘Live Action Short Film’ category, the film tackles a man’s struggle through the loss of his wife. Through comedic and solemn scenes, we follow a heartwarming tale of friendship growing between two men found through grief. Inspired by his own experience of loss, Lasse tells us more about how it feels to have made this year’s shortlist, working with an esteemed team of creatives that including Academy Award winning filmmaker Kim Magnusson and how he’s found the festival circuit and the experience as a whole surrounding the film!
A recent graduate of Guildford School of Acting, and currently represented by BBA Management, musical theatre performer Tobias Turley has had a very promising start to his career – starring in Heathers the Musical as Kurt at The Other Palace Theatre and Strictly Come Dancing professional, Giovanni Pernice’s This is Me as lead male vocalist. Currently seen on ITV’s search to find the next Sky Ramand – the lead protagonist in ABBA’s smash his musical Mamma Mia! Tobias currently prepares for the final of I Have a Dream, to air on Sunday 9th December! He tells us more about his experience of the overall audition process.
Hi Tobias, you’re currently competing in ITV’s ‘Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream’, a talent competition in search of the next Sophie and Sky to star on the West End next year. You’ve reached the final, congrats! How are you feeling?
It is crazy to be in the final – it has been such an amazing whirlwind experience and I am just so so thankful. The experience of working with everyone on the show is something I will never forget. We’ve got to work with so many industry titans and I have honestly learn so much from everyone – it has been invaluable.