Noel Clarke To Be Honoured At The 2021 EE British Academy Film Awards For Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced that award-winning actor, producer, writer, and director Noel Clarke, will receive the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award at the 74th EE British Academy Film Awards. The award will be presented on Saturday 10th April as part of the EE BAFTA Film Awards Opening Night ceremony in London.
From his very first TV appearance over two decades ago in the ground-breaking Channel 4 series, Metrosexuality, Noel Clarke has played a pivotal role in bringing diversity to British screens in front and behind the camera and pushing under-represented talent and stories to the forefront of cinema and television.
Clarke captivated audiences early on after winning the Laurence Olivier Award for ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ for his performance in the play Where Do We Live at the Royal Court.
He wrote and starred in the cult phenomenon feature film Hood trilogy, Kidulthood (2006), Adulthood (2008) and Brotherhood (2016), the latter two which he directed. The award-winning films focussed on the lives of troubled teenagers turned adults living in West London.
He received the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2009.
On the small screen, he is most well-known for his roles as Mickey Smith in Dr. Who and Wyman Norris in Auf, Wiedershen, Pet.
In 2007, Clarke co-founded his own production company, Unstoppable Entertainment, later joining with fellow actor/producer Jason Maza. Their goal is to champion fresh, emerging and diverse voices. Since then, the company has produced over 10 feature films including Jessica Hynes’ directorial debut The Fight and 10x10, directed by Suzi Ewing and starring Luke Evans and Kelly Reilly.
In 2018, the company joined forces with All3Media and launched Unstoppable Film and Television to expand their remit to include television.
Under his expanded production banner, Clarke co-created and stars in Sky One’s massively successful original drama Bulletproof with Ashley Walters, one of the highest rated series on Sky since debuting in 2018. The series has recently been confirmed for a fourth series set to start filming later this year.
Clarke can currently be seen in the Sky Cinema original film SAS: Red Notice opposite Sam Heughan, Andy Serkis and Tom Wilkinson and will next appear as the lead in the new ITV drama Viewpoint due out this Spring.
His other on-screen credits include J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Into Darkness, cult film Heartless, crime thriller The Corrupted, romantic comedy Fisherman’s Friends and Twist co-starring Michael Caine, which was produced under the Unstoppable label and released on Sky Cinema in January 2021.
One of BAFTA’s highest honours, the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award is presented annually in honour of Michael Balcon, the British film producer known for his work with Ealing Studios. Andy Serkis was the recipient at the 2020 Film Awards. Previous recipients include Ridley and Tony Scott, Film4 Productions, Working Title Films, Angela Allen, the Harry Potter series of films, John Hurt, Tessa Ross, Peter Greenaway, BBC Films, Angels Costumes, Curzon, The National Film and Television School and Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley, co-founders of Number 9 Films.
Marc Samuelson, Chair of BAFTA’s Film Committee said “Noel is an inspiration to me and to many others, for his central and much-needed role in supporting and championing diverse voices in the British film industry. He is a multi-hyphenate who early on in his career has managed successfully to cross the line from respected actor to filmmaker. He truly is able to do it all – acting, writing, directing and producing. His authentic portrayal of London life in his critically acclaimed Hood trilogy cemented his place in British cinema and he continues to push boundaries with his work today. He is now building a hugely successful production company, giving opportunities to a wide range of talented people from many different under-represented groups. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient for this year’s award.”
Noel Clarke commented “Thank you BAFTA for this acknowledgment and recognition of my work over the past two decades. I will endeavour to continue to make ground-breaking work and open doors for underrepresented people that may not often get a chance.”
This year, the EE British Academy Film Awards will be celebrated across the weekend of 10 and 11 April. Two shows, recognising the very best in film of the past year, will be broadcast virtually from London's Royal Albert Hall. The first show, celebrating the craft of film, will be broadcast on Saturday 10 April on BBC Two and BBC Two HD. The show on Sunday 11 April will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC One HD. Both programmes will be broadcast in all major territories around the world.
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit BAFTA Guru.
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