Showcase
2009 Women of African Descent Film Fest.
05/02/09
10:00AM - 7:00PM
The Brooklyn Chapter of the Links, Inc. presents
The 8th Annual
Women of African Descent Film Festival
FREE!
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 10am - 7pm
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room(at Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues)
This day-long festival, Hosted by the Media Arts Department at Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, features short and feature-length films by independent filmmakers, college students, and youth filmmakers selected by a jury of peers and Brooklyn Chapter of the Links members based on the filmmaker's ability to depict the links that women of African descent have to their families and communities. The selected films tell stories of empowerment, sisterhood, leadership, and positive relationships. The Festival will also highlight films that reveal our shared past and celebrate that legacy.
The 8th Annual
Women of African Descent Film Festival
FREE!
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 10am - 7pm
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room(at Flatbush and Dekalb Avenues)
This day-long festival, Hosted by the Media Arts Department at Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, features short and feature-length films by independent filmmakers, college students, and youth filmmakers selected by a jury of peers and Brooklyn Chapter of the Links members based on the filmmaker's ability to depict the links that women of African descent have to their families and communities. The selected films tell stories of empowerment, sisterhood, leadership, and positive relationships. The Festival will also highlight films that reveal our shared past and celebrate that legacy.
Download the Program
> WAD_Program_Booklet.pdf (1330.823 kb)
> WAD_Program_Booklet.pdf (1330.823 kb)
PROGRAM
10:15am: Assata: A Reflection on Freedom (37mins)
Documentary, Dir. Amanda Pickens
This film explores the story of Assata Shakur, an ex-Black Panther who escaped prison after being convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper.
11am Youth Program
I’m Not Obsessed (12mins)
Documentary, Dir. Imani Dean
A glimpse into the world of Harry Potter fans through the eyes of a "not obsessed" fan. Take a look at a world that may seem strange to an outsider.
Caught in the Middle (8mins)
Dir. Charnika Webster
This film is about a daughter's relationship with her mother and grandmother, and the tension of being forced to choose between them.
Hey Shorty (20mins)
Documentary, Dir. Ashley Lewis, Sala Cyril
This youth-produced documentary focuses on women of color and their experiences with street harassment by men of color, and the thoughts and intentions behind this behavior. Produced by Girls for Gender Equity’s Sisters in Strength program and Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.
11:45 Gift of Life (15mins)
Produced by the Metro Manhattan chapter of The Links, Inc. this documentary takes a look at the importance of organ donation in the African American community.
12:00 Talkin Water (38mins)
Documentary, Dir. Shannon Sonenstein
A film about the power of a camera in a young woman’s hands, 'Talkin’ Water' follows the journey of four teenage girls who, over the course of a summer, set out to make a movie about post-Katrina New Orleans. Along the way they discover the importance of asking questions, the courage to share stories, and ultimately, the power of their own voices.
- Followed by a Q&A by the director and stars
1:00 Member of the Club (70mins)
Member of the Club tells the story of New Orleans’ black aristocracy as seen through the eyes of an African American debutante and her matriarchal family. This poignant coming-of-age story opens a lens to the wider struggle of black New Orleans to shape an upper class society during the rise of the Jim Crow south.
- This screening is followed by a Q&A with the director
2:30 Shorts Program – Narrative Shorts
Afia (10mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Lacey Duke
Afia is a riveting comedy about a small misunderstood girl with a big public school drama.
Mattress Hustle (20mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Susan Watson Turner
A young couple living with their parents are forced to find new and creative ways to get some alone time in this quirky short.
Hope (9mins)
Narrative short, Dir. Atiya Wheelings
A woman named Hope has her faith tested during what should be the happiest time of her life, her first pregnancy.
3:20 Shorts Program 2: A View of Africa
Lioness of Lisabi (25mins)
Narrative short, Dir. Vlady Valentin Oszkiel
An African girl confronts oppression and power in colonial Nigeria and changes the role of women forever.
Sanza Hanza (King Surfer) (6mins)
Documentary, Dir. Nadia Hallgren
In Soweto, South Africa’s largest ghetto, you’ll find Train-Surfing, the semi-suicidal act of climbing outside, on top of and under the city's public trains while in full-flight. Sanza Hanza follows V.I.R.U.S., a gang of young Surfers searching for the ultimate ride or ‘play,’ as they call it, testing their already weak embrace on mortality.
4:00 Feature Film Presentation
Intro Film: I Love You (2mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Sabrina Moella
Janice is an independent and organized black woman. Chris is a relaxed and creative black man. Although the two are madly in love with each other, when they decide to move in together, they quickly realize that there is a thin line between love and hate...
My Girlfriends Back (90mins)
Narrative Feature, Dir. Steven Ayroloomi
This intelligent romantic comedy chronicles the socio-economic ascent of young Derek Scott. Derek has spent his entire life plotting a course for his success. His diligence is about to pay off big when he happens upon an unexpected detour. This 'road less traveled' intrigues Derek so much that he considers throwing away his entire well orchestrated life to experience the one thing his plan has yet to provide… love.
Followed by a Q&A with producer/star Tangi Miller
Encore Presentation
Assata: A Reflection on Freedom (37mins)
Documentary, Dir. Amanda Pickens
This film explores the story of Assata Shakur, an ex-Black Panther who escaped prison after being convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper.
10:15am: Assata: A Reflection on Freedom (37mins)
Documentary, Dir. Amanda Pickens
This film explores the story of Assata Shakur, an ex-Black Panther who escaped prison after being convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper.
11am Youth Program
I’m Not Obsessed (12mins)
Documentary, Dir. Imani Dean
A glimpse into the world of Harry Potter fans through the eyes of a "not obsessed" fan. Take a look at a world that may seem strange to an outsider.
Caught in the Middle (8mins)
Dir. Charnika Webster
This film is about a daughter's relationship with her mother and grandmother, and the tension of being forced to choose between them.
Hey Shorty (20mins)
Documentary, Dir. Ashley Lewis, Sala Cyril
This youth-produced documentary focuses on women of color and their experiences with street harassment by men of color, and the thoughts and intentions behind this behavior. Produced by Girls for Gender Equity’s Sisters in Strength program and Malcolm X Grassroots Movement.
11:45 Gift of Life (15mins)
Produced by the Metro Manhattan chapter of The Links, Inc. this documentary takes a look at the importance of organ donation in the African American community.
12:00 Talkin Water (38mins)
Documentary, Dir. Shannon Sonenstein
A film about the power of a camera in a young woman’s hands, 'Talkin’ Water' follows the journey of four teenage girls who, over the course of a summer, set out to make a movie about post-Katrina New Orleans. Along the way they discover the importance of asking questions, the courage to share stories, and ultimately, the power of their own voices.
- Followed by a Q&A by the director and stars
1:00 Member of the Club (70mins)
Member of the Club tells the story of New Orleans’ black aristocracy as seen through the eyes of an African American debutante and her matriarchal family. This poignant coming-of-age story opens a lens to the wider struggle of black New Orleans to shape an upper class society during the rise of the Jim Crow south.
- This screening is followed by a Q&A with the director
2:30 Shorts Program – Narrative Shorts
Afia (10mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Lacey Duke
Afia is a riveting comedy about a small misunderstood girl with a big public school drama.
Mattress Hustle (20mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Susan Watson Turner
A young couple living with their parents are forced to find new and creative ways to get some alone time in this quirky short.
Hope (9mins)
Narrative short, Dir. Atiya Wheelings
A woman named Hope has her faith tested during what should be the happiest time of her life, her first pregnancy.
3:20 Shorts Program 2: A View of Africa
Lioness of Lisabi (25mins)
Narrative short, Dir. Vlady Valentin Oszkiel
An African girl confronts oppression and power in colonial Nigeria and changes the role of women forever.
Sanza Hanza (King Surfer) (6mins)
Documentary, Dir. Nadia Hallgren
In Soweto, South Africa’s largest ghetto, you’ll find Train-Surfing, the semi-suicidal act of climbing outside, on top of and under the city's public trains while in full-flight. Sanza Hanza follows V.I.R.U.S., a gang of young Surfers searching for the ultimate ride or ‘play,’ as they call it, testing their already weak embrace on mortality.
4:00 Feature Film Presentation
Intro Film: I Love You (2mins)
Narrative Short, Dir. Sabrina Moella
Janice is an independent and organized black woman. Chris is a relaxed and creative black man. Although the two are madly in love with each other, when they decide to move in together, they quickly realize that there is a thin line between love and hate...
My Girlfriends Back (90mins)
Narrative Feature, Dir. Steven Ayroloomi
This intelligent romantic comedy chronicles the socio-economic ascent of young Derek Scott. Derek has spent his entire life plotting a course for his success. His diligence is about to pay off big when he happens upon an unexpected detour. This 'road less traveled' intrigues Derek so much that he considers throwing away his entire well orchestrated life to experience the one thing his plan has yet to provide… love.
Followed by a Q&A with producer/star Tangi Miller
Encore Presentation
Assata: A Reflection on Freedom (37mins)
Documentary, Dir. Amanda Pickens
This film explores the story of Assata Shakur, an ex-Black Panther who escaped prison after being convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper.
This program is made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered in Kings County by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC). Other sponsors include Con Edison and Long Island University, Media Arts Department.
More from 2009 Women of African Descent Film Fest.:
Jury Panel Joan Gran Boyd Pam Delongoria Eva Delsarte Kitrena Dubose Foster Terri Foster Frances Horne Antoinette Lamb Dee Nelson Yvonne Presha-President Ali Scott Sharon Simmons-Arts Fa... more
