June Givanni wins ‘Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema’ at BAFTAs 2024
June Givanni has been presented with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award at the 77th edition of the BAFTAs. As Founder of The June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive (JGPACA), this accolade marks her status as a pathbreaking film curator, writer and programmer of African and Afrodiasporic cinema. Celebrated actress Adjoa Andoh FRSL – known for her roles in The Hood Trilogy (2006, 2008 and 2016) as well as Invictus (2009) and Bridgerton (2020 to Present) – presented June with the award.
“I was shocked and am honoured to receive such recognition from BAFTA,” emphasised June, “for work that I have been privileged to be able to do with some of the most inspired and inspiring people in the world of cinema generally and Pan African cinema and culture in particular; especially with the energies of the younger generation of thinkers, curators and artists who bring dynamic energies to working with, and discovering, the archives of the moving image from a pre-digital age.”
“June has been a pioneering force in the preservation, study and celebration of African and African Diaspora cinema and Black British cultural heritage,” observed BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip. “The June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive, developed over forty years, is now one of the world’s most important time capsules of the ideas, stories and creative output of an essential part of British and global film history, and a valuable resource for inspiring future generations.”
Previous winners of the award include: Andy Serkis, the Scott Brothers, Tessa Ross and Monty Python. You can watch June’s acceptance speech at the BAFTA Awards 2024 by clicking here.
The JGPACA is a London-based, volunteer-run archive founded and amassed by June and her team, housing over 10,000 rare and unique artefacts documenting the development of filmmaking across Africa and the African diaspora in Britain and beyond. “We are also grateful for the support of the Freelands Foundation who have given us some crucial Space to Dream,” added June, referring to the UK-based fund empowering Black-led visual arts projects. “Thank you.”
The Screen Worlds collective partnered with June to promote the 50th anniversary of Nii Kwate Owoo’s film You Hide Me (1970). We are honoured to have June as one of our SW advisory board members and wish her many congratulations on her wonderfully well-deserved award.
Featured Source: Charlie Clift/BAFTA
