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21/06/2013

For immediate release

Organisers of the British Urban Film Festival have today announced that ‘Calloused Hands’ (based on a true story) and directed by former print journalist Jesse Quinones, will be the opening feature film for its’ annual showpiece later this summer. In doing so, the film will be having its European and International premiere as it was first screened at the 2013 Miami International Film Festival.

The film stars Andre Royo from HBO’s ‘The Wire’ and centres on a 12-year-old mixed race boy from Miami (Luca Oriel) with aspirations to be a baseball player. He is abused by his mother's boyfriend Byrd (played by Royo), and neglected by his mother Debbie (Daisy Haggard). He manages to forge his own path in life when his long-lost grandfather Solomon (Hans Howes) insists he study for his Bar Mitzvah.

It’s also been announced today that ‘Hoorah’, the latest short film directed by actor Aml Ameen will be premiering as the curtain raiser to ‘Calloused Hands’ on the opening night of the festival, to be staged at Odeon West End in Leicester Square on Friday 6 September. The gala screening marks a busy end to the year for the former ‘Kidulthood’ star who is also to feature in upcoming titles ‘The Butler’, ‘The Maze Runner’ and ‘Evidence’.

BUFF 2013 starts with a day of free events at broadcaster Channel 4 on Thursday 5 September including panel discussions on film distribution and entrepreneurship plus the inaugural BUFF live script readings.

Commenting on today’s announcements, Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe, director of the British Urban Film Festival said: “We’re excited to give audiences the first opportunity to experience the changing face of urban independent cinema from the heart of London’s West End. Year on year, the festival strives to bring audiences the films that they deserve which continue to embrace and champion diversity in all its forms”.

Full details about this year’s festival programme will be unveiled at a press conference at Channel 4 in early July. Tickets go on sale later next month.

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Watch the movie trailer:

The 2013 British Urban Film Festival runs from 5-9 September.

For more information contact