The I Will Tell International Film Festival is a tribute to filmmakers who bring us
powerful, authentic stories that have been hidden, forgotten or ignored. 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 and the story of so many others around the world.
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 (Actress,
Fast Girls), Prof Robert Beckford (BBC and Channel 4), Dionne Walker
(Producer, THE HARD STOP), Martin Kiszko (Academic and Storyteller),
Mark Playne (award-winning Director) and other award-winning filmmakers
and professionals.
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.
2020 will be our 14th year in the UK , 4th year in the US and 2nd year in the Caribbean 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 DEFINING MOMENTS.
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.
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
Best Feature Drama
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Drama
Best Animation
AD HOC PRIZES
Ndinadzawapanga (Grand Jury Prize) is awarded for an exceptional film in any category
Special Mention