By Curtis Caesar John | Shadow and Act

A Moving Image Promo Directed by Shola Amoo starring Tanya Fear (Kick Ass 2, Touch) from Shola Amoo on Vimeo.

UK-based filmmaker Shola Amoo has been featured a number of times here on Shadow and Act in the past few years. First it was for his breakout science-fiction centered (but so much more) short film “Touch” which has since toured the film festival circuit as well as being included in the British Film Institute (BFI) Sci-Fi Season and winning the Shooting People’s ‘Film of the Month’ competition, as selected by Oscar nominated cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto (“Wolf of Wall Street”).  

Now following up on Amoo’s most recent mention announcing the filming “A Moving Image,” his current multimedia feature film about gentrification in Brixton and South London – which includes narrative, documentary, and performance art elements with shades of Afrofuturism – he is now seeking a modest amount of funds to complete the film’s production through the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform. 

Reuniting with the lovely and talented “Touch” lead actress Tanya Fear for “A Moving Image,” the story follows Nina, a young stifled artist who returns to her community after a long absence and is soon accused of being a symbol of gentrification. Choosing to be an artist who represents solutions, Nina strives to create a piece of art that can bring her community together.  

Award-winning filmmaker Shola Amoo is seeking funds to finish production on his newest film

As the filmmaker says in the crowdfunding promotional video, “A Moving Image” is about more than creating a great piece of filmmaking, it’s about “creating a resource.” Amoo wants the audience to be more than viewers, he wants you to “be part of the conversation” as the film reflects the housing crisis struggles of “working class people looking to hold onto their spaces” that include a diversity of the African diaspora, reflecting the gentrification happening in USA communities in Brooklyn and Harlem.  

Keeping with that community-minded aspect, the production will also be mentoring young people on set during the project to help them gain skills for employment through local British charity Iconic Steps. 

But that’s not all. “A Moving Image” is also significant in its intentionally diverse cast and crew.  With actress Tanya Fear it is important for Amoo to have a Black female character with agency in a modern feature film, which frankly does not happen enough in cinema.  Additionally, the film is produced by Rienkje Attoh, a National Film and Television School (NFTS) graduate and an inaugural Prince William scholar.

See more about the multilayered film “A Moving Image” at their IndieGogo page, with crowdfunding perks that include winning a cameo in the film, and support this unique project and filmmaker.  You can also read more about the film at their website www.amovingimagefilm.com, and on their Facebook and Twitter pages.  

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Curtis Caesar John is a longtime contributor to Shadow And Act, for which he created the regular feature ‘This Week in Black Television.’  Currently the Film Editor for Bold As Love Magazine, he also covers film and culture for Limité Magazine and is the Film Programmer for mobile multicultural movie & music app Project Catalyst. Follow him on Twitter at @MediaManCurt.