25 | November | 2016

The TriForce is strong with this Creative Network!

T.C.N.

An acronym, small in letters, but big in ambition.

If I were to mention it, you might not know what it stood for, but the people behind it certainly do, for this triumvirate of capitals signifies the ‘TriForce Creative Network’, an absolute, organisational antetype, rather than a copy-and-paste prototype. Founded by Actors and best friends, Jimmy Akingbola and Fraser Ayres, to be an edifying agency of change within the Creative Arts arena, it has at its core, a strategy which promotes diversity, inclusivity and access, via multi-disciplinary collaboration, innovation and support of, both, emerging and developing artistic talent.

Achieving such altruistic objectives demands optimism, idealism and pragmatism and the use of compound creative outlets, allows the Network to manifest its goals. For example, beneath the umbrella of T.C.N, reside the ‘Monologue Slam U.K.’, ‘Writer Slam’, ‘TriForce Productions’ and ‘TriForce Short Film Festival’, each serving to concretise an infrastructure, generating definitive opportunities for independent talent to shine (whether performance or production), in addition to encouraging increased audience engagement.

With such an ambitious ethos, it was the best of times, then, to attend the press launch of this year’s ‘TriForce Short Film Festival’, not only to learn more about the imminent December 3rd event (to be held at BAFTA H.Q), but also to view the UK premiere of Jessica Oyelowo’s stunning directorial debut, ‘After The Storm’.

From the lively Q and A session, it was an sheer joy to uncover how the fruit of the seed sown in Edinburgh 2004, by “creatives who wanted to open up Arts”*, was going “beyond labels…beyond the term ‘BAME'”*…an utter delight to ascertain that, a wide variety of categories, such as; ‘Family Values’, ‘A Question of Identity’, ‘Non-Scripted’ and ‘Microshorts’, within the competitive film-making element represented this by, yet again, producing a truly exceptional shortlist (expositions, of which, will be seen on the day and at the evening Gala).

Being able to dream dreams and pursue them as a bonafide profession will also be explored, via an ‘Industry Expo’, with a unique selection of seminars, to be hosted by the multi-talents of Reggie Yates and Charlene White, and keynote speeches from the likes of industry-leaders, ‘Shine Media’, ‘4Talent’ and ‘Creative Skillset’. Further endorsing the effectiveness of the sessions was last year’s ‘Best-In-Fest’ winner, David Kitchen. Enthusiastically attesting to their importance, he highlighted them as “so informative…[because] you get to speak to people…, [so] even if you don’t win, you still feel a part of a network.” In fact, making connections and forging friendships, led to the Director being able to call upon those very contacts, within the year (2015-16), resultant in his film now being developed into a three-part television series and a feature! (Cue audible gasps of excitement from the screening-room audience!).

My mind began racing…

…If concentrating on career development could work for adults, I had to inquire as to whether there might be the opportunity for an educational roll-out of such a bold initiative. Minnie Ayres (Actress and T.C.N Company Director), ebulliently explained that, being free to submit entries, the ‘MicroShort’ section was particularly popular with under-18’s. She also revealed the idea of expanding the entry-age of the ‘Monologue Slam’ competition, extending the reach of showcasing untapped acting excellence.

My heart leapt!

A mere 24-hours after an election, which seemed to have contracted global hope, here was TriForce, an outstanding network of understanding that navigating myriad creative pathways with ongoing support has never been more crucial… a shining beacon of an organisation, nay, a Family, which is not only proving itself to be game-changing within the Arts Industry but, undoubtedly, life-changing!

TRIFORCE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2016