LAUNCH OF THE VISIONARY HONOURS UK’S FIRST SOCIAL IMPACT ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA AWARDS HOSTED BY SIR LENNY HENRY

LAUNCH OF THE VISIONARY HONOURS

UK’S FIRST SOCIAL IMPACT ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA AWARDS

HOSTED BY SIR LENNY HENRY

on the 8^th February 2019 at BAFTA

with special guest performance by Professor Green

The VISIONARY ARTS ORGANISATION are launching its inaugural VISIONARY HONOURS on the 8^th February at BAFTA, hosted by Sir Lenny Henry.

These exciting new awards celebrate culture, media and entertainment that have made a positive social impact via film, television, music, theatre, literature, radio/online and grassroots community.

The Visionary Arts Organisation (a not for profit business) aims to be a catalyst for social change inspiring teenagers and young adults aged 16-34 via art, media and entertainment.

Sir Lenny Henry, long time advocate for diversity and inclusion across the arts and entertainment industries has voiced his frustration about the lack of inclusion and commented that;

“The Visionary Honours are about shining a light on a new generation of writers, directors and producers who are creating work that is reflective of the multi-cultural society we live in and telling stories that can have a positive impact on our communities. It’s a privilege to host the first ever award show that recognises talent in this way.”

A special award, The Visionary Legacy Honour will also be made to Nelson Mandela for his outstanding achievements as an activist for social change inspiring communities and culture around the world.

Profits from the Visionary Honours event will be donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund UK (NMFC UK). NMFC UK Director, Kathi Scott commented that:

“We are delighted and honoured to have been chosen as a beneficiary charity for the first Visionary Honours. In line with our own mission of inclusion, The Visionary Honours will not only reach out to young people who may otherwise be excluded from pursuing careers in creative arts and entertainment because of disadvantage, but importantly will engage and inspire them to making a positive social impact in their communities.”

The Visionary Arts Organisation provides an online network for producers, directors, writers, bloggers, designers, artists and performers, with access to industry advice, mentoring and events. It also provides grants and funding for creative projects that tackle social issues such diversity, youth crime, drugs and mental health.

The Visionary Arts Organisation and Visionary Honours were founded by Adrian Grant, creator of the hit Michael Jackson musical, ‘Thriller Live’. It is his goal to see a more unified peaceful society that works together to create diverse opportunities, break down barriers, and allow young people to dream, achieve and succeed. Adrian comments that,

“The Visionary Honours are not about awarding egos or fame. They are about recognising culture, media and entertainment that has inspired, created awareness and advocated social change. Through the Visionary Arts Organisation it is my long-term goal to inspire creatives to produce work that can make a positive difference.”

ENDS

For more details about the organisation, or to buy tickets to the Visionary Honours visit: www.visionaryarts.org.uk

For press and media enquiries contact: info@visionaryarts.org.uk

Attached: Nominations for The Visionary Honours

NOMINATIONS FOR THE VISIONARY HONOURS

Nominations in the 9 award categories were made by our industry judges and editorial team, eligible for selection for work released from 1st December 2017 to 30th November 2018.

Public Voting in nine of the categories is open until the 31^st January at:
https://www.visionaryarts.org.uk/awards/vote/

FILM OF THE YEAR

• Black Panther
• The Greatest Showman
• Blakkklansman
• Love, Simon
• The Hate U Give
• Crazy Rich Asians

DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR

• Suicide – The Ripple Effect
• Minding The Gap
• Did You Wonder Who Fired The Gun?
• Dark Money
• Mantangi / Maya / M.I.A
• What You Going To Do When The World Is On Fire?

SONG OF THE YEAR

• This Is Me – Keala Settle
• This Is America – Childish Gambino
• Strip – Little Mix
• Make Me Feel – Janelle Monae
• Photographs – Professor Green
• Ape Sh*t – Beyoncé & Jay-Z

BOOK OF THE YEAR

• Natives – Akala
• What A Time To Be Alone – Chidera Eggerue
• How To Survive The End Of The World – Aaraon Gillies
• Brit(ish) – Afua Hirsch
• Becoming – Michelle Obama
• Feminist Don’t Wear Pink (And Other Lies) – Scarlett Curtis

TV SHOW OF THE YEAR

• Doctor Who – BBC1
• There She Goes – BBC4
• Eastenders (Knife Crime Story) – BBC1
• Save Me - Sky Atlantic
• Kiri – Channel 4
• First Dates - Channel 4

PLAY/MUSICAL OF THE YEAR

• Misty – Trafalgar Studios
• Hamilton – Victoria Palace Theatre
• The Inheritance – Noel Coward Theatre
• The Writer – Almeida Theatre
• Ear For Eye – National Theatre
• Nine Night – National Theatre

BROADCAST/MEDIA OF THE YEAR

• Legally Black (Media Campaign)
• James O’Brien (Radio Show) – LBC
• Ways To Change The World (Podcast) – C4
• Under The Skin -Russell Brand (Podcast)
• Woman’s Hour (Radio Show) – BBC4
• About Race - Rene Eddo-Lodge (Podcast)

COMMUNITY PERSON OF THE YEAR

• Leila Thomas – Urban Synergy Founder
• Rachel Wang – Chocolate Films
• Matthew Phillip – The Tabernacle
• Celia Greenwood – Wac Arts Founder

MOST INSPIRING PERSON OF THE YEAR

• Colin Kapernick
• Stormzy
• Meghan Markle
• Jameela Jamil
• Munroe Bergdrof
• Michelle Obama