Kibwe Tavares
Birthplace : London, England
Achievements:
Early Success
- Tavares, hailing from London, England, experienced early success in his career. His first short film, “Robots of Brixton,” created as part of his master’s thesis, premiered at Sundance in 2012 and received the prestigious Special Jury Prize. This accomplishment paved the way for his future projects. Following this, his second short film, “Jonah,” also premiered at Sundance and was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. Additionally, his short film “Robot + Scarecrow,” which debuted at the BFI London Film Festival in 2017, earned a nomination for the Best Short Film Award.
Feature Film Debut :
- In 2023, Tavares achieved a significant milestone in his career with the premiere of his feature directorial debut, “The Kitchen,” at the BFI London Film Festival.
Other Projects :
- Tavares’s creative endeavors extend beyond filmmaking. In 2020, he directed the original story for the Royal Opera House’s “Aisha and Abhaya.” Furthermore, he served as an executive producer for the BBC One adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s book series, “Noughts + Crosses,” also in 2020.
Awards and Recognition :
- Tavares has garnered several accolades throughout his career. In 2012, he received the Sundance Special Jury Award for Animation. He was also honored with the TED Fellowship and recognized as one of Saatchi & Saatchi’s Top 20 Young Directors. Additionally, in 2020, he served as a jury member for the Young Director Award.
Career Highlights :
- Tavares co-founded Factory Fifteen, a creative studio and directing collective known for their work in architectural visualization, branding, and filmmaking for renowned brands such as UEFA and Guinness. Moreover, he received significant support from Film4, which played a crucial role in his skill development and career progression.
Career Evolution :
- Transitioning from architecture to filmmaking, Tavares utilized his visualization and design skills to create innovative and captivating films. He has emphasized the importance of learning on the job, adapting to new challenges, and honing his skills through practical experience.
Awards:
- Tavares has been recognized with various awards for his exceptional work. In 2013, his short film “Jonah” won the Bronze Medal for Best Short Film and the Kurosawa Award at the 24fps International Short Film Festival. Furthermore, his debut short film