BEFFTA Members are professionals from different categories of entertainment, film, fashion, television, arts, sports and leadership involved in exclusive nomination process and scout fresh hidden talent in the community.
Each year BEFFTA awards appoints a brand new panel of BEFFTA Members who research a section of nomination and nominate in different categories. In addition to scouting raw talent globally, they are also good will ambassadors for BEFFTA awards ceremony.
DR WINSTON GEOGRE ELLIS
Born to Jamaican parents in Reading Berkshire, Winston is an accomplished British Actor and three-times world martial arts champion.
Winston has starred alongside Johnny Depp and Kiera Knightley in the Pirates of the Caribbean films 2 & 3. Other film credits include Cass, Batman the Dark Knight with the late Heath Ledger & Shiner alongside Michael Caine.
During his 10 years living in Hong Kong Winston made appearances in many martial arts film including Jackie Chan’s Operation Condor, Black Mask starring Jet Li. The Quest,with Jean Claude Van Damme and Roger Moore.
More recently Winston has transitioned to the small screen starring in Sky One’s Penny Dreadful. Dr Who with Peter Capaldi, The Bill, Hustle, Judge John Deed, Dream Team, Doctors and Holby City.
Winston’s passion for working with under privileged children led to his involvement with a number of charities carrying out educational workshops and inspirational talks to thousands of young people across the UK.
Winston has worked with many charities and is an ambassador to Rainbow Nation an racism charity,
Mencap, Hoop Aid, Prostate Cancer, Project X, Children In Need, The Big Match, UK 3 Lions & The Windrush Project.
Not just happy with being an ambassador to numerous charities Winston is currently coordinating and facilitating the Shinfield Drama Project. This is a shared project with Wokingham Community Development Team. This is a cross school and university project. Graduates write a short, child friendly play on the theme of ‘friendship’ 1st. The school pupils get the chance to act and work on all aspects of creating a play. Winston Ellis is to judge the winning play.
Winston’s charm, charisma, tireless energy and desire to do good are his driving forces and many new projects are in the pipeline.
“I’m truly honoured to have been asked to sit as a member of BEFFTA. It is a position I will hold with great pride. BEFFTA has always encouraged new and exciting talent and recognised and supported the experienced ones. I pray God will give me the strength to carry out my duties as a BEFFTA member with integrity and honesty.” Winston George Ellis
ANNI DOMINGO
Anni Domingo was born in London but grew up in Freetown, Sierra Leone. She finished her education in the United Kingdom where she trained to be an Actress as well as qualifying as a teacher of Speech and Drama. Anni later obtained a BA Honours (First Class) in Literature, another BA Honours (First Class) in Humanities with Creative Writing and an MA in Creative Writing (Distinction).
Anni has worked extensively as an actress in the Theatre as well as on TV, Radio and Films. She has toured Europe, USA and Australia as a Shakespearean Actress. She has worked for the BBC and other Television stations as Actress, Broadcaster, and Interviewer.
She is also a writer. Some of her plays have been performed and her poems have been published in the poetry anthology Secret and Silent Tears. She has also written several workbooks on Shakespeare now used in many UK schools.
Anni works regularly as director for WriteOn Theatre Company in Cambridge, England as well as in the rest of the UK. She runs her own company Shakespeare Link taking workshops on Shakespeare’s plays to schools and colleges. She is a lecturer on Shakespeare and Creative Writing at INSEEC College in London.
“As a BEFFTA member, I look forward to being able to assist BEFFTA in its quest to recognise and elevate both new and established talents in all fields within the black community. This is something that BEFFTA does extremely well, year after year and I feel enormously honoured to have been asked to become part of such an illustrious team. It is a privilege to be involved in such inspirational work.” Anni Domingo
KWAME KORANTENG
Kwame Koranteng is a renowned multiple award winning bespoke designer and stylist for men and women based in London. After working for George bespoke Tailors as the head designer, Kwame joined KGTKKT couture in 2009, which is now called Kwame Koranteng Bespoke Tailoring as the head designer and stylist.
Kwame’s style is to blend his personal flair with the typical formal wear to create individual and unique statement pieces with attention to details and the use of bold colours. Kwame has won the Prestigious BEFFTA awards for three consecutive years 2013, 2014 and 2015. He also won a special honors award at the Diamond special recognition awards 2014 for his outstanding work in tailoring and Best male fashion Designer at the International achievement recognition awards 2014, Best male fashion designer 2015 at the C A awards and best fashion designer at the Divas of colour awards 2016. Kwame has showcased on international platforms which include Africa fashion week Barcelona, Africa fashion week Amsterdam, The Royal fashion day London just to mention a few.
The fashion guru has been hailed as the designer of the moment!
“Thank you so much Pauline for the this amazing opportunity. I believe we have so much talent within the black community. Some talents will never be discovered without BEFFTA. I feel so proud to be part of the board. Looking forward to meeting the board.” Kwame Koranteng
CHIOMA NNANI
Chioma Nnani is the author of FOREVER THERE FOR YOU. She is an award-winning storyteller, as we ll as a two-time UK BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) Award nominee, in the ‘Best Author’ category. A talented ghost-writer who is known for “being able to get into your head and under your skin, before writing down exactly how you’re feeling”, Chioma is also a 2016 DIVAS OF COLOUR finalist (in the category of “Diva Author”), a 2016 CREATIVE AFRICAN Awards finalist (in the category of “Best Fiction Author”), and has been named “One of 100 Most Influential Creatives” by C.Hub Magazine. She holds a Law (LLB) from the University of Kent and a Postgraduate Certificate in Food Law (De Montfort University, Leicester). She is the founder of THE FEARLESS STORYTELLER HOUSE EMPORIUM LTD (a premium storytelling outfit based in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, where she lives), typically contributes to lifestyle and literary publications, and runs the “Memo From A Fearless Storyteller” blogazine at www.fearlessstoryteller.com and has multiple book releases scheduled for 2016.
“I am beyond thrilled to be appointed a BEFFTA Member. In this role, I look forward to creating, contributing to and discovering more ways to help new talent tell truly compelling Afro-centric stories, within a more qualitative framework, as well as with the fearlessness that I am known for,” Chioma Nnani
PRECIOUS TOE NGWU
Precious Toe Ngwu is a woman of great responsibilities and on a mission to change and impact lives. She is a mother of 4 beautiful children. Two of whom have the rare conditions of albinism.
She is an award winning gospel artist of the Italy Gospel Award ( best female Vocalist of the year 2015), Winner Award for her community services for Stand Up Stand Out 2015 ( by Deji Yusuf- Ministies) BEFFTA Award nominee of Best Gospel Act 2015 and nominee of the C Hub Awards Gospel Music. Precious uses her gift as a gospel minister to spread the gospel for Jesus church and to inspired her generation. Her music sales goes to her charity for people with Albinism globally. Music is the way she tells how she feel about life and things around her.
Precious is a qualified Nursery Nurse, Teacher, Law Degree LLP, Diploma in Counselling Skills, level 2 certificate in legal Secretary and a level 1 certificate in Hairdressing. She is currently studying towards her Nursery Management course level 3. She builds her life around achieving and developing herself where possible and impacting others.
She mentors the youths through her teenage and adult experiences ( teenage pregnancy, single mother, homelessness and abuse). She is the founder/ CEO of Stand Up Stand Out ( for children with Albinism). Other issues closed to her heart are Child Abuse, Trafficking, and is a member of United by Ministies (that deals with Disabilities in the church).
“I am so excited to be a BEFFTA member. This shows that, BEFFTA, is for all. As a member, I look forward to inspiring and achieving the purpose of which I became a member, is to search for great talents and hidden voices in the communities that no one wants to put on the front line of success in this generation.” Precious Toe
HRM QUEEN THEODORA IBEKWE-OYEBADE
HRM Queen Theodora Ibekwe-Oyebade is a multi-award winning Beauty Pageant Organiser; Activist; Charity Fundraiser;Publicist; Promoter; Event Coordinator,Actress and Producer.
She is the Face of ZAFAA 2013-16 and the crowned Queen of Nollywood UK.
She is also Brand Ambassador for Chamy Perfume and Brand Ambassador for Numatville.
Also She is an Ambassador to various charities here in the UK.
She has received awards in areas of excellence.
Also,Founder & President of the Actors Guild of UK Nollywood; Public Relations Officer for UK Nollywood Producers Guild and Assistant Public Relations Officer for the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK). She has also been the Official Public Relations Officer for numerous events in the UK.
In 2013, she produced her first feature film (Shameful Deceit) . The premiere of this film broke the record at the Odeon Cinema that year.
In 2014, HRM Theodora produced an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. Her film credits include Heavy Mama in London; Shattered Hearts; Amina; ShamefulDeceit ( which she also produced her self )18 Carat Mama; Mum Dad Meet Sam and Murderer -in-Law just to mention a few.
“I look forward to offering the wealth of my vast experience in entertainment, film, fashion, media and beauty and taking BEFFTA to the next level”…HRM Queen Theodora Ibekwe – Oyebade
NADIM SALEEM
Nadim Saleem is a highly respected International Award Winning fashion show producer and choreographer.
He is recognised across the UK, Europe, Pakistan & The World Largest Asian Bridal Catwalk Show in USA for delivering visionary catwalk shows that exquisitely set a creative ambiance that fully showcases the fashion collection.
The multi-talented choreographer is at the forefront of an emerging new wave of young British Asians who are taking their talent, intellect and creativity to a wider international audience.
Nadim Saleem is the Founder and Director of 2 Award Winning Event. Scottish Asian Fashion Awards & Scotland World of Asian Fashion.
“As a BEFFTA Member I will be looking to bring on endless creativity and ideas. I look forward to bringing a new wave of ethnic talent, not only into the nominations but also for the live show. I look forward too challenging and combining Black & Ethnic together with a touch of creativity, to bringing on-board Ethnic International Charities and to spread BEFFTA on a bigger wave length in the Ethnic Minority and to make more awareness of BEFFTA and most importantly to always give the recognition and credit where it is due.” Nadeem Saleem
FEMI ILOYI
Femi Iloyi is an entrepreneur and an entertainment mogul who is well accomplished within the creative field. As the CEO of FEROmedia / FEROrecords he has developed and establish powerful partnerships with clients such as Christian Aid, BET, Department For International Development (DFID) and the Nike Foundation.
The former BET producer is a multi- award winner which include MTV and BEFFTA awards. Femi has established an independent record company and has distributed music worldwide through FEROrecords. His skill set is a plethora of talent that enables him to master music business from the production of songs to the directing and developing of visuals.
FEROmedia serves as the media platform created to give visual presentations in film, music video and advertising. The FERO Brand he established along with his wife as a family brand to reach the demand globally. As an artist his wife Roucheon also a multi award winner, has had mainstream success with her music reaching no. 24 on iTunes independently.
Their three children have individually become known for their musical talents making history worldwide appearing on every major television network as rapping musical babies showcasing stardom from the tender age of 1. This rapidly grew into becoming the youngest performers and award winners (BEFFTA Young achievers Award) and setting up a production company from the youngest producer to appear on BBC1xtra show with Charlie Sloth. Femi continues to establish this musical family empire working alongside influential industry leaders, pioneering and breaking new ground.
“As a new appointed BEFFTA Member I am going to change the game in terms of finding the best underground talent and unspoken leaders.” Femi Iloyi
Source: Beffta.com
