The 2018 Black Women Film Summit organized by Black Women Film Network (BWFN) will take place March 9 to 10, 2018 at Atlanta Technical College. This two-day event will celebrate the work of women of color in film and television and provide attendees with networking opportunities, information and resources to further their careers in the industry.
Opening Night of the Summit is Friday, March 9, when BWFN will take over Regal Atlantic Station at 6pm for an evening at the movies with A Wrinkle in Time! BWFN will celebrate the premiere of Ava DuVernay’s masterpiece by buying out a theater and supporting this historic release during its opening weekend.
The Summit continues Saturday, March 10 at Atlanta Technical College beginning at 9am with the BWFN Short Film Festival and a full day of informative classes.
2018 Black Women Film Summit Shorts Lineup
The following shorts have been selected for the 2018 Summit and will screen from 9am to 3pm:
“Valerie Morgan: TV Qualified” – Directed by LaQuanda Plantt
Based solely on her obsession with medical television shows, Valerie Morgan attempts to gain employment in the medical field.
“Distorted” – Directed by Tai Anderson
Two sisters meet to put their father to rest when they get an unexpected knock at the door, turning their night upside down.
“Broken Branches” – Directed by Chris Anthony Hamilton
Keith returns home from an evening out with a male companion to find his 18-year-old son Eric home from college a day early. Eric confronts his father who attempts to explain his lifelong struggle with his true sexual identity. Feeling betrayed, Eric is unable to reconcile his father’s truth and leaves Keith feeling guilted, shamed and searching for a sign of hope to repair his relationship with his son.
“In the Field” – Directed by Tesia Walker
“In The Field” follows an ambitious local reporter, John Landon, who witnesses a police-related shooting of a black girl outside a toy store on Christmas Eve. John is tasked with interviewing the girl’s family to get the scoop that will bring him national fame. However, he finds that getting the exclusive involves more than just being there first.
“Horse & Buggy” – Directed by Sherie Hodge
The objective of this piece was to visually capture the remarkable story of Atlanta Mayoral Candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms. “Horse & Buggy” is a story of sheer determination and how one candidate attests to why Atlanta is truly the city where impossible dreams take form.
“BlacKorea” – Directed by Christine Swanson
The story is set in the late 80’s in Chicago. Two children, born to a Korean mother, and African-American father are forced to live with the tangled consequences of their parents’ decisions, while struggling to traverse new life in the Windy City.
“Least Suspect” – Directed by Bobby Huntley
Five former sorority sisters reunite, forming their own “Secret Society” to deceive men out of cash and jewels, when one of them unknowingly crosses the nephew of a Russian Mob Boss.
“Soul Fire” – Directed by Janlatae’ Mullins
A couple dances together every day as they fight for the love they once shared.
“The Tree of Palimpsest” – Directed by Ingrid Agbo
Palimpseste, an old ceramist and storyteller in her spare time, is regularly solicited by Iba and Emeka, two young brawling brothers, to settle their daily conflicts. Rather than offering them a simple answer, Palimpsest finds the perfect analogy between their childish concerns and the life of an African historical figure. So begins the journey in the past of those women and men who made Africa.
“Dirty Money” – Directed by Ciara Boniface
As addictions and murky loyalties swirl around them, three women desperate to escape their surroundings rob a group of drug dealers and find themselves fighting through a night that will change their lives forever.
2018 Black Women Film Summit Classes
The schedule for the 2018 BWFN Summit classes is as follows:
9:00am – 10:30am – “Finding Your Funny with Cocoa Brown” – Actress Cocoa Brown shows you how to incorporate funny into any situation. Also how to create your funny through developed improv skills.
10:00am -12:00pm – “Kids Acting Class” – For kids ages 7-17. Actors will gain confidence for audition and study using the Primal 5 tool of the Chubbuck Technique.
10:00am – 12:00pm – “Protect Your Legal Work” – Learn from attorney Zakiya Watson-Caffe on how to protect your brand/work from legal issues or theft.
10:00am – 12:00pm – “Marathon Mindset for Actors” – Would you rather be a trend or you rather be Ralph Lauren? Actress Jasmine Burke shares how she has sustained 10 years in the film industry using her mind set. This conversation is for SERIOUS ARTISTS ONLY.
10:00am – 12:00pm – “Red Carpet Hosting” – Broadcast journalist Summer Jackson will give you tips on how to host and interview celebrities on the red carpet.
11:30pm – 1:00pm – “Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe for Film & TV” – Learn from experienced professionals on how to enter and be successful in the film industry for hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Guest panelists are Gocha Hawkins, Denise Tunnel, and Moe Grant.
12:30pm – 2:30pm – “Audition Tips with Rhavynn Dummer” – Learn from a professional casting director on the correct and effective techniques for auditioning.
12:30pm – 2:30pm – “Screenwriting with AZ Yeamen” – In this two-hour workshop, writers will learn how to create dynamic 3-dimensional characters, the superhuman antagonist to intensify your story, and the science of loglines to master your 90-second pitch.
12:30pm -2:30pm – “A Conversation with Zane” – Best-selling author Zane talks about future projects and will answer your questions on selling your work.
12:30pm – 2:30pm – “How to Pitch to Network Television” – HaJ House shares her experience pitching to Networks and production companies from the creator perspective.
3:00pm – 4:00pm – “All You Ever Wanted to Know About SAG-AFTRA” – Learn the benefits and what it means to be a part of the Screen Actors Guild. Registration for this session is FREE.