Just 12 short months ago, the Pride Mag Team heard that the multi awarded, royally honoured entrepreneur Dr Clare Anyiam-Osigwe BEM was taking a break from beauty to pursue her 1st passion – Filmmaking.
Within weeks she wrote her script, shot the film and the first look poster caused a media frenzy – the face of a woman with either bleaching cream or fair foundation and the title “No Shade” set the agenda for the arrival of a new voice in international story telling. We were immediately intrigued and excited!
www.noshadefilm.com
The movie produced by her husband Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, the visionary founder behind the UKs longest standing film festival & awards for broad spectrum diverse talent (race, gender, class & orientation) B.U.F.F, took to Cannes in May and received excellent reviews which set the pace for an epic world festival premiere in June at BUFF.
According to Clare’s Instagram, this was when they found out there were expecting
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrmwjNGAzas/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1c0mkx8vdwo6g
The timing of the release of Clare’s debut feature whilst in the first trimester exemplifies the sheer tenacity of this Superwoman. The festival ran the full 7 days and then the film went on an international tour to Washington DC, Cleveland Ohio before receiving a VOD deal from Film Doo. Weeks later, after 108 ‘No’s’ from distributors, Clare & Emmanuel self distributed No Shade by striking a deal through The Odeon Cinemas from 2 Nov, making Clare the 6th black British woman to experience a theatrical release. The film was then picked up for North American distribution by Art Mattan based in NYC and had its festival and theatrical release from 28 Nov. The film then secured foreign rights with Idea Sales through co-producer Jesse Quinones and will continue to embark on city to city theatrical releases (hopefully to Lagos soon) before hitting VOD & DVD releases due to popular demand.
Just yesterday, Clare received confirmation that upon her return to London from NYC she had won her first award for directing No Shade:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrkDUvBASV-/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1msewx0gqxpli
Today on Emmanuels milestone birthday, the couple revealed the forthcoming arrival of their first born.
We wish them the best of prayers on their new journey as parents and business partners with BUFF Originals, the production arm of the festival and congratulations on their massive success personally and professionally. A young Nigerian couple showing the next generation that with hard work and supreme focus you can achieve remarkable results. Put God at the centre of all of your plans and watch them soar!
photo credit: Tenisha White