This film is part of Free
Jemima + Johnny
Touching short about the friendship between a white boy and a black girl in 1960s Notting Hill.
Overview
The friendship of a young white boy and a black girl reaches out across the generations in this uplifting mid-60s short, directed by South African-born actor and anti-Apartheid activist Lionel Ngakane. Against a background media narrative suggesting ever-worsening racial tensions, Jemima + Johnny offered a refreshingly optimistic take on black/white relations in a post-riots Notting Hill. Jemima + Johnny won its director an award at the 1966 Venice Film Festival, the first black British film to be so honoured.
When five-year-old white boy Johnny meets Jemima, fresh off the boat from Jamaica, he leads her on a wide-eyed tour of the local neighbourhood. But when the children recklessly make their den in a derelict house, their peril causes Johnny's father to question his racist views.
Related
Ten Bob in Winter Ten Bob in Winter
Drama 1963 12 mins Location: Westminster
An early classic of Black British cinema about the intriguing social dynamics that arise as a ten shilling note is passed around the black community.
We the Ragamuffin We the Ragamuffin
1992 26 mins Location: Peckham
Julian Henriques' urban musical showcases the style, vernacular and vibrancy of British Caribbean Dancehall culture.
White Men Are Cracking Up White Men Are Cracking Up
Drama 1994 20 mins
The fatal fascination with the myth of the black feminine mystique is uncovered in Ngozi Onwurah's short
The Body Beautiful The Body Beautiful
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1990 24 mins
Autobiographical account of a mother-daughter relationship, exploring beauty standards and female sexuality.
Flight of the Swan Flight of the Swan
Drama 1992 12 mins
A young black ballerina rejects prejudice and finds her African spirit in Swan Lake.
Baby Baby
Drama 2010 25 mins
A young woman attracts the attention of a street criminal after she prevents his gang from pick-pocketing.
Portobello Market Portobello Market
Amateur film 1980 1 mins Location: Notting Hill
Browse the labyrinth of countless colourful stalls and grab yourself a bargain at 1980s Portobello Market
Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival
Amateur film 1976 2 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Music, dancing and community characterise this short film from Notting Hill Carnival, 1976.
Portobello Road Market - Personal Film - C1954 Portobello Road Market - Personal Film - C1954
Amateur film 1964 1 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Find bric-a-brac and trinkets galore in this vividly colourful snapshot of Portobello Road Market.
Carnival of Tears Today Special Carnival of Tears Today Special
Current affairs 1976 29 mins Location: Notting Hill
Special edition of the current affairs series Today about the planning of the Notting Hill Carnival and clashes with police.
Playing the Environment Game Playing the Environment Game
Documentary 1973 29 mins Location: Euston Sta
In Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Tolmers Square in London, campaigners challenge property developers' plans
Notting Hill Reel 3, Notting Hill (1966) Notting Hill Reel 3, Notting Hill (1966)
Amateur film 1966 4 mins Silent Location: Notting Hill
Fascinating scenes of street life in Notting Hill in the 1960s, showing empty roads, old pubs, rubbish-strewn streets and graffiti.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.