From today, Tuesday 11th February 2003 nominations are being invited for talented individuals worthy of a NATWEST EMMA Award. (Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy) This prestigious awards ceremony, which will take place this year on 30th May, celebrates outstanding contributions and achievement from diverse ethnic/multicultural talent in television, music, film, journalism, theatre, literature and comedy as well as public figure accomplishments.

Non-Asians swept the board at last year's EMMA Awards ceremony winning nearly 70% of the awards from all categories. Partly reflecting the American Oscars voting, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry were awarded Best Film Actor and Best Film Actress for their parts in Training Day and Swordfish, while Ali won the EMMA for Best Film production. However, 'The Kumars at No 42' picked up the top award for Best TV Entertainment and Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of the Mahatma, flew in from India to receive a special tribute to his great grandfather's work from Lord Richard Attenborough.

After the closing date of February 21st a panel of judges will select shortlists for each category, for voting by the general public from 7th April.

This 6th glitzy annual NATWEST EMMA Awards ceremony, which sees stars from the worlds of media and entertainment gather in London's Grosvenor House Hotels' Great Room to obtain a top accolade, is to be broadcast on BBC TWO and produced this year by Chris Cowey, Executive Producer of Top of the Pops. Categories will include Best Film Actor/Actress, Best TV Actor/Actress, Best Music Act, Best Comedian and Best TV Entertainment Production.

Bobby Syed, Founder of EMMA said "This year's NATWEST EMMA Awards are particularly significant given the ever present need to create and celebrate harmony and diversity within local and international multi-cultural communities. EMMA seeks to promote this ethos by visually honouring individuals who excel professionally and socially on a universal multi-cultural level."

NatWest's Director of Brand, Paulette Rowe said "NatWest is proud of its longstanding association with the black and minority ethnic community and values the opportunity to sponsor the NATWEST EMMA Awards for the next three years. We are thrilled to be part of this event and are committed to supporting the celebration and development of excellence within the rich, culturally diverse, ethnic community in Britain".

The NATWEST EMMA Awards have previously honoured Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Lord Richard Attenborough, Ray Charles and Dr Maya Angelou for the Lifetime Achievement. On receiving his award, Nelson Mandela acknowledged the EMMA's as a 'great initiative bringing together ethnic and mainstream media in Britain'.

Introduced for the first time last year was the Legend Award, which honoured the Mahatma Ghandi legacy. This year's award will pay tribute to the prolific legacy of Martin Luther King for his historic civil right's work in the USA.

Launched in 1997, the event has now grown into the Emma Academy, and acts as an umbrella for a wide range of cultural initiatives including the launch in May this year of the EMMA FestivALL, a programme of the best multi-cultural arts and entertainment on offer in London and across the country during May.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

To obtain a full list of categories see the EMMA website www.emma.tv and to propose nomination suggestions, please email awards@emma.tv.

Click here to read about EMMA 2002 winners.
Click here for the EMMA 2002 shortlist.

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