DUNTON, UK – The Ford African Ancestry Network Employee Resource Group partnered with Bounce Cinema to present four captivating short films at Dunton Campus last week that showcase the artistry and storytelling mastery of Black filmmakers.
The screening was just one of many activities taking place at Dunton throughout October to celebrate Black History Month.
Afterwards, Ford’s Ann Noble spoke to Bounce Cinema founder Mathieu Ajan and film director Teniola Zara King to discuss filmmaking and the challenges Black creators face.
Mathieu, tell us about Bounce Cinema and why you founded it?
I founded Bounce Cinema back in 2018 with a simple mission- to celebrate my community's contributions to the world of film. We aim to provide a platform and opportunities for talented Black filmmakers whose work often goes unseen by wider audiences. We're all about nurturing and supporting the next generation of Black storytellers.
One of our key collaborators is Sky, who also supported Teniola's film "Teju's Tale". Partnerships like these are a testament to the incredible work our community is producing, and it's fantastic to see the industry taking notice and opening doors to new opportunities. It's all about forging mutually beneficial relationships with the right partners. We're excited about future collaborations, and we hope to work with Ford on more projects in the future.
What advice would you give to aspiring Black filmmakers?
Just have the confidence to grab your pen and tell your stories! If you approach your work with integrity and consistency, the rewards will follow. As we saw today, these stories come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, fearlessly tackling important truths that need to be shared. Ford's extensive communications department could benefit immensely from collaborating with these gifted filmmakers- they could be the next generation of directors, producers, and creative forces behind Ford's advertising and storytelling.
To add to that, I love that this isn't a one-off event, that this is one among a series of Black History Month activities. It showcases the many ways we can celebrate and showcase Black talent. This exchange of ideas and shared aspirations is what makes it truly meaningful.
Teniola, you directed the film Teju’s Tale. It’s about a young woman who moves to England from Lagos in the 1950s to study nursing but faces challenges when colleagues demand to see her tale. What was the driver behind this?
Teniola Zara King: For me, it was about reminding people of the journeys undertaken by previous generations, highlighting that things weren't always as they are today. Knowing your past is crucial for understanding the present and shaping the future. While researching, I came across a video by David Oyelowo, filmed in the wake of George Floyd's death, about his father's experience having his trousers pulled down in England to check for a tail. That confirmed I was telling an important story. We still have quite a long way to go, but it's clear that we've made progress.
Mathieu, how important is it to share your stories with a wider audience?
As Black creators and professionals, we know how difficult our journeys were and we have a responsibility to ensure that the upcoming generation has a smoother journey to achieve their dreams. I am incredibly grateful to Ford for inviting us and introducing us and our work to you all.
