Black Women Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_26972" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A Wrinkle in Time[/caption] 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.

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The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) announced the finalists who will screen their films at the Black Women Film Festival taking place during the Black Women Film Summit on March 5-7, 2015 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. 

The finalists are:

“The Same Difference” – Nneka Onuorah (New York, NY)
“Your Love” – Laila Petrone (Los Angeles, CA)
“Black Girl in Paris” – Kiandra Parks (Wilmington, DE)
“Queen” – Brittany Fennell (Jersey City, NJ)
“Hands to the Sky”- Kimberly Townes (Los Angeles, CA)
“New Heights” (web series) – Jenna Bosco (Jersey City, NJ)
“Bristol Place” – LaShunda Smith (Buford, GA)
“Rapunzel Jackson” – Malia Dawkins (Studio City, CA)
“Untold” – Letia Solomon (Gardena, CA)
“Grey” –  Janlatae Miller (Marietta, GA)
“The Productive Live” – Mike Ray (Atlanta, GA)

The Summit will open on Thursday, March 5 with a screening of the Season 4 premiere episode of Centric TV’s “Single Ladies” and close on Saturday, March 7 with a 40th Anniversary screening of the classic film Mahogany featuring a special performance by recording artist and “Empire” actress V. Bozeman.

A three-day cultural celebration set during Women’s History Month, the Black Women Film Summit consists of the inspiring “Untold Stories” luncheon, the Black Women Film Festival and various seminars and activities that will connect key industry players with aspiring entertainment professionals.

During the Summit, several VIPs will be honored at the “Untold Stories” Luncheon for their career achievements and their “untold” secrets to success. The luncheon also serves as a fundraiser for scholarships for students entering the film and television industries. 

The 2015 Untold Stories Luncheon Honorees are:

Will Packer – CEO – Will Packer Productions
Robi Reed – VP, Talent Casting – BET Networks
Lamman Rucker – Actor – Why Did I Get Married, Too?
Logan Browning – Actress – VH1’s “Hit the Floor”
Shante Bacon – CEO/Founder – 135th Street Agency
Tomika DePriest – BWFN Chair Emeritus
Tia Powell – Publisher – Georgia Film Source Book

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 The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) will present its 10th Annual Black Women Film Festival June 13-15, 2014 in Atlanta.

The three-day event – sponsored by BET Networks, Spelman College, Atlanta Technical College, 11Alive, Moguldom Studios andMadame Noire – kicks off Friday, June 13 at 12:00pm at Spelman College (Sci Center NASA Auditorium) with 7 films by or about African-American women, including the controversial 72% (directed by Janice Garcia and Jeremy Batchelor), a documentary that explores the single mother phenomenon in the black community.

On Saturday, June 14 at 8:00am, “The Reel Business of Filmmaking Workshops & Black Women Book Festival” will take place at Atlanta Technical College (Atrium). Discussion topics include film financing and distribution (Breyuna Williams, ESQ), acting for stage and film (Jonna Johnson), film and video editing (Deanna Nowell), and hair and makeup budgeting for large and small productions (Terae Dewitt).

Also taking place on Saturday is the Black Women Book Festival Luncheon which features a panel of authors who will share their knowledge about getting a book published. Those authors are Joe Johnson (Joshua’s Battle), Dr. Lepora (Journey to Authentic Joy), Antoinette Green Campbell (Revelations Beyond Betrayal) and Chiquita Lockley (Maggie Tales: Mommy, Where’s Heaven?).

Lockley is also the publisher of Worship 101: Back to the Basics, a guide for church leaders written by Grammy-winning recording artist Tasha Cobbs (“Break Every Chain”). The book, released May 12, will make its Atlanta debut at the Black Women Book Festival.

The festival concludes Sunday, June 15 at 6:30pm at Adrienne’s Fine Boutique (2287 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30309) with “The Reel Networking Affair” featuring Jaunice Sills, REVOLT TV’s director of program scheduling and promo strategy. Sills, a former Black Women Film Network scholarship winner, will be on hand to answer questions about her role at REVOLT and share wisdom on navigating the television industry.

“The tenth annual Black Women Film Festival will usher in a new generation of filmmakers who inspire and engage new audiences,” said BWFN founder Sheryl Gripper. “We are grateful to our BWFN Board and Film Guild for volunteering countless hours to make this possible.”

 

 

2014 SCHEDULE

Day 1 – Films to Inspire and Uplift by and About Black Women
When:                                  Friday, June 13, 2014 
Time:                                    12:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:                                 Spelman College (Sci Center NASA Auditorium) – 350 Spelman Lane, Atlanta GA 30314

·         Good Girls – directed by Rhavynn Drummer

·         The Helen Lindsey Story – directed by Maria Howell and Mike Ray

·         Stand: Untold Stories of the Civil Rights Movement – directed by Donna Dukes

·         Room to Breathe – directed by Crista Baldwin

·         A Glimpse – directed by Sandra Nixon

·         Elijah – directed by Janlate Mullin

·         72% – directed by Janice Garcia and Jeremy Batchelor

Day 2 – The Reel Business of Filmmaking Workshops & Black Women Book Festival
When:                                  Saturday, June 14, 2014 
Where:                                 Atlanta Technical College (Atrium) – 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta GA 30310
Registration:                     8:00 am 
Workshops:                       8:30 am – 3:00pm

8:30 – 9:45 am – “Hair & Make-Up for Film and TV” — What you need to be a Film/TV stylist and what you need to budget for your film. Hairstylist and make-up artist Terae Dewitt talks about working on small and large films.

9:45 – 11:00 am – “Acting For Stage, Screen and TV” – Actress, acting coach and instructor at the Actor’s Scene, Jonna Johnson will be on hand to let you know what’s needed to get that call back.

11:00 – 12:15pm – “Film Financing and Distribution” – Find out how to get your project financed and distributed. Breyuna Williams, ESQ, who has extensive experience in music, film and new media contracts and is a member of the California State and Georgia State Bar, will lead this discussion.

12:15 – 1:15pm – “Black Women Book Festival Luncheon” — This informative luncheon will feature authors who are ready to share their knowledge about getting a book published. Featured authors are Joe Johnson (Joshua’s Battle), Dr. Lepora (Journey to Authentic Joy),Antoinette Green Campbell (Revelations Beyond Betrayal) and Chiquita Lockley (Maggie Tales: Mommy, Where’s Heaven?).

1:15pm – 2:15pm – “Film and Video Editing” – An award-winning and highly sought-after editor for the Aspire Network, Deanna Nowell will lead a hands-on panel where you can bring your projects for her expert suggestions on how to get your best edit. (Note: Have your project on your laptop to get the best evaluation. First come, first served.)

2:30pm – 3:00pm – “Film Location Tour of Atlanta Technical College” — Filmmaker Russ Parr shot his film A Christmas Blessing on the campus of Atlanta Technical College. Take a tour of the film shoot locations with staff. Your next production could be shot here!

Day 3 – The Reel Networking Affair” with Jaunice Sills, Director of Program Scheduling and Promo Strategy, REVOLT TV

When:                                  Sunday, June 15, 2014

Time:                                    6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where:                                 Adrienne’s Fine Boutique – 2287 Peachtree Rd., NE Atlanta, Ga. 
Cost:                                      $5.00 non-members; FREE, BWFN Members

 

 

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