Strap in for a wild ride of vengeance, revenge, and things going to extremes.
Stories of creeps, of contact, and of the uncontrollable.
Digging deep to find the true story of the matter.
A mixture of digital talks and interviews that give us an intimate look into new worlds, and shorts that pose interesting questions worth a conversation.
Stories of gun violence and how it affects more than just the life that is lost.
Stories told from the lens of our youngest future filmmakers.
Stories that are bold, impactful, and strong in their voice and vision.
All’s fair in love and war… but is it really?
The moment of change that ignites the path forward, forever affected by the events which sparked it.
Stories of those who live loudly, with boldness, and with no age restriction.
Highlighting films with magic, mysticism, and supernatural (and super-powerful) created by and/or told through the lens of Black filmmakers and artists.
Stories of losing, seeking, and often the pro-'found' nature of the journey.
Stories of overcoming tragedies, incapacities, and a past that won’t let go.
Stories of adventures & achievements, and the comedy that can ensue.
Whether internal or external, we all have demons to fight and skeletons knocking on the closet door.
Stories of Black femininity and the different experiences it encapsulates.
Origin stories, reflections, and journeys taken…
Legendary Talent
Oscar Micheaux once wrote, “We want to see our lives dramatized on the screen as we are living it, the same as other peoples, THE WORLD OVER.”
Stories of Race, Religion, Sexuality, Identity, Socio-Economic Culture and Barriers - all told with truth as we, they, and many are living.
A twist on the truths that are more frightening than make believe.
Stories that convey what it means to see your truth and taking the next steps to live in it.
Stories that showcase the bold, the renegade, the unorthodox, the silenced, the outcasts, and the triumph of those who don’t need to prove their mere existence.
Stories of technology and change, and what those who come before have to say about it.
Stories of crisis, and the people who solve (or create) problems.
Why do we as a people protest against racial injustice, but disregard the injustices experienced by black queer people? It’s time to raise the question.
A compilation of stories from our #MicheauxAlum
Stories of family - the trials, the drama, the love.
Stories that showcase the reality of family matters spanning culture, and the many true states familial relationships exist in.
Stories of love, romance, obsessions, addictions, lust, and passion.
A look into the stories of the pandemic’s unsung heroes
Join Panavision’s Dan Sasaki for a behind-the-scenes analysis of the optical attributes that contributed to the storytelling of famous films. Dan will shine a light on the lenses filmmakers used to bring their visions to life while providing an overview of Panavision’s vast inventory and a firsthand account of the artistry, science, and technology involved in the field of motion-picture optics.
Dan Sasaki
Senior Vice President of Optical Engineering and Lens Strategy
Aaron Saffa
Manager, New Filmmaker Program, Panavision
This panel conversation will provide insight into membership eligibility, the voting process, and the inner workings and operations of the most prolific organization in modern cinema.
Panel focuses:
Eligibility requirements
How to become a member of The Academy
Perks of membership
How the voting process works
Increasing BIPOC representation within The Academy
Ensuring films are reflective of the world we live in
Academy Gold programs
Panelists
Jeanell English
VP, Impact and Operations
Shawn Finnie
EVP, Member Relations and Awards
Moderated by: Lawrence Foldes, Academy Member
This panel will gain insight from distribution and acquisitions executives who can detail: best practices when seeking distribution, why securing distribution is the most important move a filmmaker can make, and what factors distributors take most into account.
Panel focuses:
Five things every filmmaker should know when seeking distribution
Common mistakes filmmakers make when seeking/securing distribution
The most important factors distributors take into account when considering projects
Panelists:
Yulissa Morales
VP OF US DISTRIBUTION, EPIC PICTURES
Daniel de Boulay
Manager of Worldwide Acquisitions, SONY Pictures Entertainment
Missed any of our informational and educational panels, workshops and spotlights? We've got you covered with the On Demand recordings - available next day after each program airs.
The Oprah Winfrey Network broke precedent by implementing back to back unscripted blocks during their primetime weekend time slots. This break from the status quo has launched OWN as a frontrunner in the unscripted space, and provided creator and Executive Producer, Carlos King, the opportunity to reinvent and expand his brand with the successful Love & Marriage franchise.
This panel will feature cast members from the Love & Marriage franchise, Belle Collective, and creator of both shows, Carlos King.
Panel focuses:
The success of OWN’s Love & Marriage franchise
OWN’s unprecedented Friday/Saturday unscripted block
The importance of showcasing Black love and success in all of its forms
Panelists:
Carlos King
Melody Shari Holt
Marie Hamilton-Abston
Tambra Cherie
Ashley & DJ Quick Silva
This panel will explore how to make a smooth transition from unscripted tv to scripted and vice versa, transferable skills you can rely on, and the best time in your career to make the switch.
Panel focuses:
Storytelling In Unscripted Vs. Scripted
How To Use Your Skillset To Land A Dream Job
Will You Have To Start Over? The Reality Of Switching Genres
Your Relationships Will Make The Transition Smoother
Why Your Portfolio Should Contain Both
Panelists
Ahmadou Seck
VP of Scripted TV, MACRO
Kimberlina McKinney
VP, Business and Legal Affairs at Fremantle US
Stephanie Filo
TV/Film Editor
Ben Hurvitz
SVP, Unscripted Entertainment Franchises, Paramount Global
Carolina Groppa
EIC, HOORAE Media & ColorCreative
Moderator:
Carlton Jordan
Executive Producer
A one-on-one, career-spotlight conversation with Sons of Anarchy and Rebel Moon Star, Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam
Actor, Sons of Anarchy, Rebel Moon
Moderated by:
Jenelle Riley
Variety
We are currently putting together the schedule for this year's event. Come back to this page as we add items to our festival program.
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