Showcase
The Brooklyn Chapter of the Links, Inc. presents
The 9th Annual Women of African Descent Film Festival
Saturday, May 1, 2010, 10am–6pm
Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room
Women of African Descent Film Fest. 2010
Download the Program (PDF)
> WAD_Program_2010.pdf (746.213 kb)
> WAD_Program_2010.pdf (746.213 kb)
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PROGRAM
This day-long festival features short and feature-length films by independent filmmakers, college students, and youth filmmakers selected by a jury of peers and members of the Brooklyn Chapter of the Links. Criteria for selection include 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.
Youth Program 10 am – 11 am
In cooperation with Reel Works, thanks to John Williams, his team of mentors, and most of all his fabulous students for presenting the Youth Category of films.
Different Branches, Same Tree 7 mins, Dir. Nadia Burgess, 18, Brooklyn High School of the Arts. “Different Branches, Same Tree” is about different races and cultures and how they influence individuals’ personalities and characters. What are the things people incorporate into their own behavior because of family background, environment, media, self-influence, etc? Mentor: Stephanie Walter Williams
How Can I Learn to Love in Two Separate Homes? 8 mins, Dir. Shamoria Fields, 15, Brooklyn Community Arts and Media. A teenage girl is stuck in the middle of her parents’ divorce and begins to grow distant from her father all the while keeping her true feelings of loss to herself. Mentor: Richard Cummings
If U Want to Get Technical 8 mins, Dir. Riaebia Robinson, 16, Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School. A happily married couple, the white picket fence and 2.5 kids. As a society, we have trained ourselves to believe that this hetero-normative ideal is what all people should aspire to. But how is life similar or different when the couple in question is two women raising three kids? This film explores one lesbian couple living in Queens and their family values, showing their hopes and dreams are no different than that of any other couple. Mentor: Charlie Libin
Perception 5 mins, Dir. Ashley Longmire, 15, Arts & Media Prep. Young women speak about how the media affects their lives and influences their perceptions of body image. Mentor: Marie Argeris
Ripple 9 mins, Dir. Kendra Williams, 17, Benjamin Banneker Academy. Does the election of Barack Obama as President in 2008 mean that the struggle for civil rights is over? A young filmmaker talks to veteran civil rights activists about their fight for equality and their sense of how the struggle continues to this day. Mentor: Niknaz Tavakolian
Shhh… Bitch! 7 mins, Dir. Naomi Lynch, 17, Brooklyn Community Arts & Media. What’s in a word? If the word is “bitch” there is the power to hurt and demean women. Filmmaker Naomi Lynch explores how one word can affect people and how she learned to reclaim it for herself and use it for her own empowerment. Mentor: Susan Hamovitch
To Have Lived 8 mins, Dir. Janaye Solomon, 17, Secondary School for Journalism. What is success? We look at the lives of ordinary people: a teacher, a best friend, and a mother. Through their stories the filmmaker realizes success isn’t solely based upon wealth, celebrity, or fame -- it’s about inspiring others. Mentor: Liam Dalzell
Journey To the Unknown, 6 mins, Documentary, Dir. Lizbeth Meija, 16 (at time of production) Shot from the young filmmaker's own experience with teen pregnancy, the film follows her two friends Marilyn and Yasmine through their pregnancies, and also explores the circumstances surrounding the filmmaker's birth to her teenage Mother. Mentor: Stephanie Walter Williams.
This day-long festival features short and feature-length films by independent filmmakers, college students, and youth filmmakers selected by a jury of peers and members of the Brooklyn Chapter of the Links. Criteria for selection include 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.
Youth Program 10 am – 11 am
In cooperation with Reel Works, thanks to John Williams, his team of mentors, and most of all his fabulous students for presenting the Youth Category of films.
Different Branches, Same Tree 7 mins, Dir. Nadia Burgess, 18, Brooklyn High School of the Arts. “Different Branches, Same Tree” is about different races and cultures and how they influence individuals’ personalities and characters. What are the things people incorporate into their own behavior because of family background, environment, media, self-influence, etc? Mentor: Stephanie Walter Williams
How Can I Learn to Love in Two Separate Homes? 8 mins, Dir. Shamoria Fields, 15, Brooklyn Community Arts and Media. A teenage girl is stuck in the middle of her parents’ divorce and begins to grow distant from her father all the while keeping her true feelings of loss to herself. Mentor: Richard Cummings
If U Want to Get Technical 8 mins, Dir. Riaebia Robinson, 16, Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School. A happily married couple, the white picket fence and 2.5 kids. As a society, we have trained ourselves to believe that this hetero-normative ideal is what all people should aspire to. But how is life similar or different when the couple in question is two women raising three kids? This film explores one lesbian couple living in Queens and their family values, showing their hopes and dreams are no different than that of any other couple. Mentor: Charlie Libin
Perception 5 mins, Dir. Ashley Longmire, 15, Arts & Media Prep. Young women speak about how the media affects their lives and influences their perceptions of body image. Mentor: Marie Argeris
Ripple 9 mins, Dir. Kendra Williams, 17, Benjamin Banneker Academy. Does the election of Barack Obama as President in 2008 mean that the struggle for civil rights is over? A young filmmaker talks to veteran civil rights activists about their fight for equality and their sense of how the struggle continues to this day. Mentor: Niknaz Tavakolian
Shhh… Bitch! 7 mins, Dir. Naomi Lynch, 17, Brooklyn Community Arts & Media. What’s in a word? If the word is “bitch” there is the power to hurt and demean women. Filmmaker Naomi Lynch explores how one word can affect people and how she learned to reclaim it for herself and use it for her own empowerment. Mentor: Susan Hamovitch
To Have Lived 8 mins, Dir. Janaye Solomon, 17, Secondary School for Journalism. What is success? We look at the lives of ordinary people: a teacher, a best friend, and a mother. Through their stories the filmmaker realizes success isn’t solely based upon wealth, celebrity, or fame -- it’s about inspiring others. Mentor: Liam Dalzell
Journey To the Unknown, 6 mins, Documentary, Dir. Lizbeth Meija, 16 (at time of production) Shot from the young filmmaker's own experience with teen pregnancy, the film follows her two friends Marilyn and Yasmine through their pregnancies, and also explores the circumstances surrounding the filmmaker's birth to her teenage Mother. Mentor: Stephanie Walter Williams.
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11 am - Presentation and Book Signing with Mia Mask
Presentation and book signing with Mia Mask, Associate Professor, Department of Film, Vassar College, and author of Divas on Screen, Black Women on Film
11:30 am Reception
Film Program 12 pm-6 pm
Mitte 10 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Tony Dreannan, produced by Noro Ejaita. Firya Burnes, a wandering American performance artist ventures to Berlin in search of stardom.
Thank you for Washing 14 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Camille Brown. A quirky love story about a woman who is a germaphobe. Things get dirty in the office when she finds out a co-worker doesn’t wash after using the bathroom.
Kai 13 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Fred Thomas Jr., Produced by Keena Ferguson. Kai, a young woman on the verge of lifestyle suicide, crosses the line when her habit becomes more than just a regular mode of living but heads down the road to ‘uber-addiction’. Due to her obsessive ways, her two best friends force her into a non-traditional rehabilitation group led by eccentric therapist Ms. Nancy.
Type O 11 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Brianna Brown. A mother must decide on the course of treatment for her sick daughter. Veronica is left with no real options for her daughter Monique, other than to agree to a potentially fatal surgery or see her child live in pain. Veronica’s ex-husband and his new wife criticize her for not immediately consenting to the surgery but Veronica holds out as long as possible as she searches for assurance.
The Good Radical 36 mins, Documentary, Dir. Kendall Moore. The Good Radical focuses on the life of Dr. Cynthia Hamilton and her relationship with her elderly mother, Evelyn. Though Cynthia was one of the pioneering women of the Eco-feminism Movement as well as the Environmental Justice Movement, life takes a dramatic turn when she learns that she has Multiple Sclerosis. The film chronicles the interplay between the two as both confront major challenges in their lives.
Jitters 9 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Jason S. Williams (Written/Produced by Elizabeth June). A conversation between a bride and her estranged father minutes before he is to walk her down the aisle. The film deals with issues of religion, cultural identity, abandonment and forgiveness.
The Birthday Party 7 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Véronique N. Doumbé. A father on his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. A mother trying to keep her children safe. A son on the brink of manhood. A daughter anticipating her 10th birthday. A party that will change their lives forever.
African Booty Scratcher 13 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Nikyatu Jusu. Prom nears and things seem to be spiraling out of control for the typically composed ISATU. In this coming of age story, West African tradition conflicts with American idealism and Isatu is forced to reassess her perception of the ‘perfect dress.’
Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy 50 mins, Documentary, Dir. Renée Bergan & Mark Schuller. Told through the lives of five compelling Haitian women, Poto Mitan gives an inside perspective on globalization, Haiti’s current crisis, and the resilient women challenging this system.
Ijé The Journey 100 mins, Narrative Feature, Dir. Chineze Anyaene. As a child growing up in the Nigerian countryside, Chioma had warned her restless sister, Anya, about the trappings of the American Dream. Now ten years later, Anya is accused of killing three men in a Hollywood Hills mansion, one of them her record producer-husband. Chioma travels from Nigeria to Los Angeles, and with the help of a young, unproven attorney, she discovers that the dark secret her sister wants to keep hidden might be the only thing that can win her freedom.
Presentation and book signing with Mia Mask, Associate Professor, Department of Film, Vassar College, and author of Divas on Screen, Black Women on Film
11:30 am Reception
Film Program 12 pm-6 pm
Mitte 10 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Tony Dreannan, produced by Noro Ejaita. Firya Burnes, a wandering American performance artist ventures to Berlin in search of stardom.
Thank you for Washing 14 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Camille Brown. A quirky love story about a woman who is a germaphobe. Things get dirty in the office when she finds out a co-worker doesn’t wash after using the bathroom.
Kai 13 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Fred Thomas Jr., Produced by Keena Ferguson. Kai, a young woman on the verge of lifestyle suicide, crosses the line when her habit becomes more than just a regular mode of living but heads down the road to ‘uber-addiction’. Due to her obsessive ways, her two best friends force her into a non-traditional rehabilitation group led by eccentric therapist Ms. Nancy.
Type O 11 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Brianna Brown. A mother must decide on the course of treatment for her sick daughter. Veronica is left with no real options for her daughter Monique, other than to agree to a potentially fatal surgery or see her child live in pain. Veronica’s ex-husband and his new wife criticize her for not immediately consenting to the surgery but Veronica holds out as long as possible as she searches for assurance.
The Good Radical 36 mins, Documentary, Dir. Kendall Moore. The Good Radical focuses on the life of Dr. Cynthia Hamilton and her relationship with her elderly mother, Evelyn. Though Cynthia was one of the pioneering women of the Eco-feminism Movement as well as the Environmental Justice Movement, life takes a dramatic turn when she learns that she has Multiple Sclerosis. The film chronicles the interplay between the two as both confront major challenges in their lives.
Jitters 9 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Jason S. Williams (Written/Produced by Elizabeth June). A conversation between a bride and her estranged father minutes before he is to walk her down the aisle. The film deals with issues of religion, cultural identity, abandonment and forgiveness.
The Birthday Party 7 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Véronique N. Doumbé. A father on his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. A mother trying to keep her children safe. A son on the brink of manhood. A daughter anticipating her 10th birthday. A party that will change their lives forever.
African Booty Scratcher 13 mins, Narrative Short, Dir. Nikyatu Jusu. Prom nears and things seem to be spiraling out of control for the typically composed ISATU. In this coming of age story, West African tradition conflicts with American idealism and Isatu is forced to reassess her perception of the ‘perfect dress.’
Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy 50 mins, Documentary, Dir. Renée Bergan & Mark Schuller. Told through the lives of five compelling Haitian women, Poto Mitan gives an inside perspective on globalization, Haiti’s current crisis, and the resilient women challenging this system.
Ijé The Journey 100 mins, Narrative Feature, Dir. Chineze Anyaene. As a child growing up in the Nigerian countryside, Chioma had warned her restless sister, Anya, about the trappings of the American Dream. Now ten years later, Anya is accused of killing three men in a Hollywood Hills mansion, one of them her record producer-husband. Chioma travels from Nigeria to Los Angeles, and with the help of a young, unproven attorney, she discovers that the dark secret her sister wants to keep hidden might be the only thing that can win her freedom.
Jury Panel
Joan Grant-Boyd
Pamela DeLongoria
Eva Delsarte
Kitrena Dubose
Terri Foster
Frances Horne, Film Festival Chair
Antoinette Lamb
Theresa Manning
Depelsha McGruder
Dorothy Nelson
Yvonne Presha, President
Ali Scott
Sharon Simmons, Arts Facets Chair
Toni Yuille Williams
Special Thanks
Rodney Hurley, Long Island University
Vinh Hoi Ngo, Long Island University
Deirdre Corley, Sara DeRose, Tricia Mire, Brooklyn Arts Council
Ralph Scott, BET
Keya Crenshaw, Festival Intern
Funders
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.
Joan Grant-Boyd
Pamela DeLongoria
Eva Delsarte
Kitrena Dubose
Terri Foster
Frances Horne, Film Festival Chair
Antoinette Lamb
Theresa Manning
Depelsha McGruder
Dorothy Nelson
Yvonne Presha, President
Ali Scott
Sharon Simmons, Arts Facets Chair
Toni Yuille Williams
Special Thanks
Rodney Hurley, Long Island University
Vinh Hoi Ngo, Long Island University
Deirdre Corley, Sara DeRose, Tricia Mire, Brooklyn Arts Council
Ralph Scott, BET
Keya Crenshaw, Festival Intern
Funders
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 Women of African Descent Film Fest. 2010:
About the Women of African Descent Film Fest.
Formed in 1952, The Brooklyn Chapter of The Links, Inc., an organization of African American professional women, is dedicated to the support of educational, civic, and cultural activities in Brooklyn.... more
