Menelik Shabazz

Birthday: 1954 in Barbados

Menelik Shabazz is an Award winning film director, producer, and writer - known as a key pioneer in the development of contemporary black British cinema. Born in St. John, Barbados in 1954, he has liv ...Show More

Menelik Shabazz is an Award winning film director, producer, and writer - known as a key pioneer in the development of contemporary black British cinema. Born in St. John, Barbados in 1954, he has lived in the UK since the age of five. From an early age Menelik watched mobile cinema in his village in Barbados, but didn't entertain the idea of making films until age 18. This was when he was introduced to the first portable video technology whilst studying at North London College. This revolutionary technology, the Sony port-a-pack, demystified filmmaking and made the filmmaking process accessible. Thereafter, Menelik enrolled at the London International Film School.Menelik is best known for his acclaimed debut feature Burning An Illusion, which won the Grand Prix at the Amien International Film Festival in 1982. The film also won the lead actress, Cassie Macfarlane, the Evening Standard Award for 'Promising Actress'(1982). Burning An Illusion was only the second feature film by a black director produced in the UK. The film continues to be shown today on media courses at Universities and Colleges and has become a cult classic. Hide