In 2020 the Film London Jarman Award was split between all six shortlisted artists, a first in the Award's history. Each artist received an equal share of the £12,000 prize money.

The decision to split the prize money was a collaborative decision between the six shortlisted artists, Film London and the Jury for the 2020 Jarman Award. It reflects the solidarity of the artistic and creative community in the face of challenging economic conditions resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jarman Award 2020 winners' statement

"Art and artists have the power to make change and for this reason we want to share the prize as a statement of equity for the works we are all invested in making and those they give voice to… We believe that our cultural contribution takes on increased resonance, despite the difficulty of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Our work stems from a multiplicity of perspectives that we cannot privilege, one over the other... We acknowledge the history of the award and also in particular Derek Jarman’s long term collaborations with artists and communities and his love and care for those he worked with and amongst. He formed allyships across time, genres and people. In this spirit we wish to share the award. In these times of turbulence and trauma we must build change and stand in solidarity with each other and those we represent. This gesture aligns with new directions for living and working and reflects the artists and values FLAMIN and the judges have selected in 2020."

- The Film London Jarman Award 2020 winning artists

Download the winning artists' full statement here.

Jarman Award 2020 winning artists

The winning artists’ work includes a two-channel Arabic language science-fiction film shot in black and white and a Jarmanesque exploration of gender set in an Art Deco Blackpool cabaret. Feature-length films tell the stories of London’s marginalised underworld characters whilst mesmerising collages combine archival analogue film stock with digital media to explore the history of Black techno music. Innovative collaborative films reveal the experience of autism and identity whilst Michelle Williams Gamaker’s ‘fictional activism’ restages politically problematic scenes from early 20th Century British and Hollywood studio films.

The Jarman Award 2020 tour

In the lead up to the announcement, the best in contemporary artists’ filmmaking was taken on a virtual tour to venues across the UK from 24 September – 19 November 2020. Hosted on the websites of distinguished arts venues in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, each online screening included a Q&A with one of the artists.

Watch recorded performances, talks and films from the 2020 Film London Jarman Award Whitechapel Weekend, now available on the Whitechapel Gallery website.

Find out more about the artists and the works included in the touring programme, with the Jarman Award 2020 e-booklet below.

The Jarman Award 2020 jury

• Iwona Blazwick OBE, Director, Whitechapel Gallery
• Shaminder Nahal, Commissioning Editor (Arts and Factual), Channel 4
• Hetain Patel, Artist, winner of Jarman Award 2019
• Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, Director, Genesis Cinema
• Andrea Lissoni, Senior Curator, International Art (Film), Tate Modern and Film London Board Member

Video: Jarman Award 2020 trailer

About the Jarman Award

The Film London Jarman Award is a prestigious annual prize which recognises and supports the most innovative UK-based artists working with moving image, and celebrates the spirit of experimentation, imagination and innovation in the work of emerging artist filmmakers. Launched in 2008 and inspired by visionary filmmaker Derek Jarman, the Jarman Award showcases artists' moving image to audiences throughout the UK and beyond through its annual touring programme.

The Award has a reputation for spotting rising stars of the UK art world. Previously shortlisted artists include Charlotte Prodger, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Duncan Campbell, Monster Chetwynd, James Richards, Luke Fowler, Elizabeth Price and Laure Prouvost, all of whom went on to be shortlisted for or win the Turner Prize.

The Film London Jarman Award is presented by Film London with support from Arts Council England, Genesis Cinema and Whitechapel Gallery.