The third annual New Voices in Black Cinema festival runs from Friday, February 15 – Monday, February 18, 2013. The New Voices in Black Cinema festival reflects the wide spectrum of views and themes within the Black community from Brooklyn to Italy and beyond. The four day film festival showcases 27 of the best in independent feature films, short films and documentaries from up and coming directors, producers, and talent throughout the Diaspora. All films will be shown at BAM (in the Peter Jay Sharp Building) located at 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217, which has been the festival’s home since its inception.
The opening night film Big Words (2012, 97 min. – Friday, February 16) directed by journalist-turned-director Neil Drumming makes its New York premiere fresh off of its run at the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival. This fresh comedic drama starring Dorian Missick (“Southland”, Two Weeks Notice), Gbenga Akinnagbe (“The Wire”) and Yaya Alafia (The Kids Are All Right) takes place in Brooklyn on the eve of President Barack Obama’s history-making 2008 election as three self-absorbed friends, once members of a promising hip-hop trio, cross paths once again and discover that despite dreams deferred and the extreme changes in their lives that some things never change.
18 Ius Soli (2011, 50 min. – Friday, February 15), directed by Italian-born Fred Kuwornudiagnoses the Italian law that denies citizenship to young people born in Italy to immigrant parents from Africa, Asia, and South America, this documentary examines the injustice faced by 18 girls and boys born in Italy.
No Homo (2012, 78 min. – Monday, February 18), directed by Brooklyn filmmaker Goddey Asemota, focuses on two aspiring fashion designers who sell custom shirts on the streets of SoHo. Because of their love of fashion the two are constantly questioned about their sexuality. As a gag they make a shirt with the logo “No Homo” on the front and sell them at their stand, which leads to their unlikely meteoric rise in the fashion world.
The Undershepherd (2012, 108 min. – Saturday, February 17) directed by Russ Parr, with Isaiah Washington (“Grey’s Anatomy”, Clockers) Lamman Rucker (Why Did I Get Married?), Malinda Williams (“Soul Food”) and Vanessa Bell Calloway (Coming to America) is a controversial tale of two ministers, LC (Washington) and Roland (Rucker), best friends and brothers in Christ. When the head preacher of their church plans his retirement, mild-mannered character LC becomes overcome by his access to power, money earned through his ministry, and slowly transforms into a ruthless business man.
ActNow New Voices in Black Cinema Full Schedule:
Friday, February 15
1:30PM ● 18 Ius Soli – Talkback with director Fred Kuwornu to follow film ● Beale St. Blues – Talkback with director Kecia Benson to follow film
4PM ● The Fade
7PM ● Big Words – Talkback with director Neil Drumming & producer Matthew Keene Smith to follow film
9:45PM ● The Kill Hole
Saturday, February 16
12PM ● The United States of Hoodoo
3PM ● High Chicago – Talkback with director Alfons Adetuyi to follow film
6PM ● Aujourd’hui(Tey) – Talkback with director Alain Gomis & actor Saul Williams to follow film
9:15PM ● FunkJazzKafé: Diary of a Decade – Talkback with director Jason Orr to follow film
Sunday, February 17
1PM ● The Central Park Five
4PM ● alaskaLand – Talkback with director Chinonye Chukwu to follow film
7PM● Four – Talkback with director Joshua Sanchez and actors Emory Cohen & Yolanda Ross to follow film
9:45PM ● The Undershepherd
Monday, February 18
1PM ● Stones in the Sun
4PM ● Unbreakable: Shorts Program – Talkback with various directors to follow film
Barbasol
Record/Play
Saudade
ort Greene
Karim
Everything Absolutely
Nigga…Nigga…Nigga!
Make Me A Doorway
7PM ● Gimme the Loot – Talkback with director Adam Leon to follow film
9:45PM ● No Homo – Talkback with director Goddey Asemota to follow film