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UK Film Council promotes black film talent at National Portrait Gallery

Portraits of some of the UK's leading Black film actors will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery from 25 April. The portraits have been supported by the UK Film Council in order to celebrate and support Black film talent and raise the debate about the demand for greater on-screen diversity

The display entitled Want to see more of me? is a series of 25 striking portraits by acclaimed photographer Donald MacLellan featuring Colin Salmon, Adrian Lester, Ashley Walters, Mona Hammond, Sophie Okonedo, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Naomie Harris and Chiwetel Ejiofor amongst others. The portraits will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery from 25 April to 7 September.

Bringing the worlds of film and art together, the aim is to stimulate the debate about the need for greater on-screen diversity in relation to representation, content and portrayal as well as celebrating some of the UK's most successful Black actors. It is part of the UK Film Council's drive to ensure people from all backgrounds can thrive and achieve their potential in the film industry.

Donald MacLellan is an established portrait photographer, whose images have appeared regularly in national and international magazines over the past fifteen years. 

'Want to see more of me?' is the third project by Donald MacLellan to be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, having previously shown Black Power in 1998 and Tartan Army in 2000. In addition, a number of his works are held in the Gallery's Photographic Collection.

John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council said: 'The UK Film Council is delighted to be partnering with the National Portrait Gallery on the 'Want to see more of me?' project.  We want to stimulate debate about on-screen diversity and we think that celebrating some of the UK's most successful black actors is a brilliant reminder of what is possible.'

For further information please contact:

Caroline Nagle / Rachel Grant
UK Film Council Press Office
T: 44 (0)20 7861 7508 /7505

Notes to Editors

  1. The UK Film Council is the Government backed lead agency for film in the UK. We aim tomake sure that the UK has a dynamic film industry fit for the digital age and to help UK audiences enjoy the best of British and world cinema.
  2. The actors photographed by Donald MacLellan for 'Want to see more of me?' are: Abdul Salis, Adrian Lester, Ashley Walters, Claire-Hope Ashitey, Colin Salmon, David Harewood, David Oyelowo, Don Warrington, Earl Cameron, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Lennie James, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Marsha Thomason, Mona Hammond, Naomie Harris, Nikki Amuka Bird, Noel Clarke, Paul Barber, Ray Fearon, Robbie Gee, Shaun Parkes, Sophie Okonedo, Vas Blackwood, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Julie Stewart.
  3. Please contact the press office for images from the Want to See More of Me? display.
  4. A portfolio of work by Donald MacLellan can be viewed at: www.donny-bygosh.com
  5. 'Want to See More of Me?' is a 'Leadership on Diversity' initiative under the Equalities Charter for Film funded by the UK Film Council www.diversityinfilm.org.uk
  6. For more information about this project or the Diversity Department contact Meriel Watkins 020 7861 7956 meriel.watkins@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk
  7. National Portrait Gallery opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday: 10am – 6pm (Gallery closure commences at 5.50pm) Late Opening: Thursday, Friday: 10am – 9pm (Gallery closure commences at 8.50pm) Nearest Underground: Leicester Square/Charing Cross Recorded information: 020 7312 2463 General information: 020 7306 0055 Website: www.npg.org.uk