Page 35 - Powerlist 2020

Isaac Julien exploration of American poet-activist Langston Hughes Arts, Fashion & Design
and the Harlem Renaissance. In 1991, his film Young
Artist and Film-maker Soul Rebels scooped the critics’ prize for best film at
the Cannes Film Festival and he was nominated for the
Turner Prize-nominated Isaac is famed for his arresting Turner Prize in 2001.
films and vibrant and immersive gallery installations. In 2014, he received the Golden Gate Persistence of
Through his work he aims to break down the barriers Vision Award at the San Francisco International Film
between disciplines, from film to dance, photography, Festival and the Panorama TEDDY 30 award at the
music, theatre and painting. In the 2017 Birthday Berlinale 66th Berlin International in 2017.
Honours, he was awarded a CBE for services to the arts. He is Chair of Global Art at the University of the Arts,
A BA Fine Art Film graduate from Central St Martin’s London, trustee of the Parasol Unit, Regents Professor
– where he achieved a first – Isaac co-founded the of the University of California, Berkeley and Trustee of
visionary Sankofa Film and Video Collective, dedicated Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town, South Africa.
to developing an independent black film culture. He He is a professor at the University of California, Santa
was also a founding member of Normal Films in 1991. Cruz, where he is working with Mark Nash to develop
He came to prominence in 1989 with his drama the Isaac Julien Lab, giving students the opportunity to
documentary Looking for Langston, a poetic assist with project research and film production.

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