Amma Asante is set to receive an honorary fellowship from the UK’s National Film and Television School (NFTS), ScreenDaily reports. Given in recognition of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the industry, the honor will be presented to the writer-director at the school’s annual graduation ceremony on February 28.
After launching her career as an actress, Asante made her feature debut with 2005 BAFTA winner “A Way of Life.” She’s helmed three features since: “Belle,” “A United Kingdom,” and “Where Hands Touch.”
Asante’s next pic, “The Billion Dollar Spy,” is based on a true story and centers on the Pentagon’s most valuable spy during the last years of the Cold War.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the NFTS — a film school that has so consistently delivered incredible talent to the film industry whose work both inspires and challenges me as a fellow filmmaker,” said Asante.
Barbara Broccoli is among the award’s previous recipients.
“Remember that your stories have value and you have a right to pursue having them told,” Asante urged when we asked her advice for other female filmmakers. “Many will tell you, or imply through their actions, that you don’t have the right. It’s something we, society, tend to do to women in subtle ways: challenge them by telling them they are wrong or not good enough. But ‘right’ and ‘good enough ‘essentially have been defined by one section of the world’s demographic, and sold to society collectively as ‘the norm.’ As a female director, don’t be afraid to challenge those voices or expectations that say you cannot — your greatest asset is in exploring life as you see it, through your unique gaze,” she emphasized.
