Welcome & Awards

Adrienne M. Anderson, Executive Director & Founder

15 mins

The New Parkway Theater

STUCK (dir. Praheme | USA, 2018)

STUCK is a romantic comedy that follows two strangers (Ebony and Dre) who become physically wedged in the act of a “one-night stand”. Their only path to separation is to be vulnerable and share a secret with one another.

17 mins

The New Parkway Theater

Theater 2

Patrick “Praheme” Ricks

PRAHEME is a storyteller from Richmond, Virginia who holds a BA in Film Production from Howard University and an MFA in Film Production from Florida State University. Praheme is the CEO of the independent studio Praphetic Praductions and i.a.m.W.E. Film Collective, which creates unique and original content like the award winning film Troop 491: the […]

TORMENTS OF LOVE/Tourments D’Amour (dir. Caroline Jules | Guadeloupe, 2017)

A film from Guadeloupe based on hidden love and untold feelings between two sisters in their thirties and their father 1st Place Narrative Feature Winner Houston Black Film Festival St Barth Film Festival Palm Bay Caribe Film Festival ADIFF (African Diaspora International Film Festival) Houston Caribbean Film Festival Chicago Caribbean Film Festival San Antonio Film Festival Mzansi Women's Film Festival Trinidad & Tobago Fim Festival CaribbeanTales International Film Festival  

53 mins

The New Parkway Theater

Theater 2

Caroline Jules

After Caroline Jules graduated as an assistant director in 1997 in Paris, she worked on several short movies while developing her own projects. In 2003, she won the Best Script Prize at Creteil Women Film Festival (France) for her short film “PARIS-DAKAR’, which she directed a couple of years later. The film has been awarded […]

Welcome & Wrap-up

15 mins

TRIFLIN’ (dir. Amber Washington | USA, 2018)

Girl and her period venture out to buy feminine products and experience the kaleidoscopic tapestry of Chicago along the way.

13 mins

McKenna Theater

Second Place - Best Narrative Short

Amber Washington

Amber is a writer, actor, and director from southwest Louisiana. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing from Wheaton College, she went on to receive an education in film from the Harold Ramis Film School in Chicago. Her goal in life is to tell character-driven narratives that focus on the human crap that bonds […]

SHEA BUTTAH (dir. Deja Gordon | USA, 2017)

Shea Buttah is an ode to the experience of a black female's life from childhood to womanhood with one speechless protagonist.  

8 mins

McKenna Theater

First Place - Best Narrative Short

Deja Gordon

Growing up in the hood of Oakland and the suburbs of Sacramento molded Deja into the intellect she is today. Originally, a Production Designer/Producer, Deja takes her talents to a new journey with her directorial debut, Shea Buttah. Director Statement I personally made Shea Buttah to not only express the wins and woes of being […]

MILLI’S AWAKENING/MILLIS ERWACHEN (dir. Natasha A. Kelly | Germany, 2018)

Nadu (born 1955) is a mask maker, Naomi (born 1965) is an actress and filmmaker and Maciré (born 1995) is a student and spoken word artist. They are three of eight women, who have the commonality of being Black in Germany and working in an art context. Their biographical narratives show to what extent art (in all its manifestations) can serve as a »remedy« to alleviate lived emotional isolation and social oppression. For centuries, Black women have been eroticized and exoticized by the white male gaze. In the works of many Expressionists, who are regarded as »European classics«, Black women were merely portrayed as »objects of desire«. The German painter Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880 - 1938), for example, was less interested in exploring the anatomy of the female body. Rather, he wanted to feel his own manhood through the alleged »bondage to nature« of his motives. In 1911, at the height of German colonialism he painted the »Sleeping Milli« naked on a couch. His only source of inspiration was his male potency. While numerous art historians take the aesthetics as well as the sexual fantasies of Kirchner in the focus, the documentary film wants to immerse in the thought and emotions of his »muse« and let Milli awake figuratively. In interviews with the director, Black female artists of various generations, who have overcome the common colonial stereotypes and have formed their own self-determined identity as Black Women within the white German majority society, have their say. They report on their challenges in and with German art institutions, visual representation, political and social exclusion. Thus, art does not only form the architecture of the film, but is also presented as the foundation for the social and political activism of the project participants.

47 mins

McKenna Theater

First Place - Best Documentary Feature

Natasha A. Kelly

Natasha A. Kelly has a PhD in Communication Studies and Sociology. Born and bred in the United Kingdom and raised in Germany, she considers herself to be an “academic activist”, two important features that can be seen individually, but never separately from each other. Rooted in the Pan-African culture of her Jamaican heritage, her political […]

THE POSSIBILITY OF HER (dir. William Feagins, Jr. | USA, 2017)

"The Possibility of Her" is a feature-length documentary which highlights 12 women of color who are actively involved in non-traditional careers or passions. The film delves into each woman's personal and professional life discussing their beginnings, challenges, their take on gender norms as well as addressing some myths and misconceptions about women in their respective fields.

Listing only - No Screening

Third Place - Documentary Feature

William Feagins, Jr.

Award-winning documentarian Will Feagins, Jr. earned his chops directing music videos for underground Atlanta hip-hop artists. “UNDEREXPOSED: Indie Hip Hop in Atlanta,” Feagins’s visual record of the scene, won Viewer’s Choice and Critics Choice in Creative Loafing’s ATL Short Cuts film contest. “Divided Time”, his look at how artists balance fatherhood and creativity, screened at […]

BLUEPRINT FOR BRONZEVILLE (dir. Tristan Hanson | USA, 2017

When the City of Chicago decides that its legendary African-American neighborhood Bronzeville will be the host community for a doomed Olympics Bid, housing activists swing into action. But with an international spotlight upon them, can they get a real commitment to affordable homeownership from City Hall?

Listing only - No Screening

Second Place - Best Documentary Short

Tristan Hanson

Tristan Hanson is a freelance producer and documentary filmmaker based in Chicago. At Kartemquin Films she was recently a Co-Producer on the feature films American Arab and Almost There, a portrait of outsider artist Peter Anton described by Tom Roston of POV’s Documentary Blog as “one of the best documentaries of the year.” After many […]

THE ART HOUSE ( dir. Laura P. Valtorta | USA)

Ginger Westray, a retired school teacher, uses her entire house as a canvas for her painting and sculpture.

Listing only - No Screening

Third Place - Best Documentary Short

Laura P. Valtorta

Since 2013, I have released three independent films: White Rock Boxing, Disability, and The Art House. Director Statement I am an attorney who has been practicing law in South Carolina since 1993. My books include Family Meal, Start Your Own Law Practice, and Social Security Disability.

MATTIE: THE DISCOVERY (dir. Camy “Cameron” Arnett | USA, 2018)

Mattie is a redemptive story that is filled with revelation as it pertains to God’s unfailing love for all of us. It seems to begin in an era where the newly liberated south is free to continue in its old prejudices. However, it really begins in the heart of one young girl who is taken on a timeless journey initiated by loss and motivated by revenge. But God, a Masterful Teacher orchestrated this journey in order for her to learn the true meaning of Mercy. Mattie Styles begins in a home where her daddy is unsure of his footing, not truly in or out of her life, and not sure whether there is enough reason for him to choose to stay. Her mother suffers from a slow debilitating disease that steals her memories and saps her of her ability to be cognitively present in her family’s life. Her paternal grandmother, Betty Jean, is holding the family by its fraying foundation, as she struggles to remind her son of his obligation to his family, tries to help anchor her daughter in-law’s mind to the NOW and prays God’s hedge of protection remain around her grandson and granddaughter. But a tragic murder serves as the catalyst that awakens hidden gifts and introduces Mattie to a life of discovery and unexpected temptations. It is during this life shattering funeral that Mattie experiences the dilemma of being between the road that leads to mercy, grace and forgiveness or bitterness and the evil use of her new found abilities.

Listing only - No Screening

Second Place - Best Narrative Feature

Camy “Cameron” Arnett

Haitian born, Camy “Cameron” Arnett craved out a very successful career in the late 80’s and 90’s. Cameron is an actor, producer, director and talk show host. Among his past film credits, are Marc Pease Experience, Man’s Best Friend, and recently in the five Dove Award winning Stand Your Ground. His past television credits include […]

SINGLEVILLE (dir. Mary McCallum | USA, 2018)

Mattie is a redemptive story that is filled with revelation as it pertains to God’s unfailing love for all of us. It seems to begin in an era where the newly liberated south is free to continue in its old prejudices. However, it really begins in the heart of one young girl who is taken on a timeless journey initiated by loss and motivated by revenge. But God, a Masterful Teacher orchestrated this journey in order for her to learn the true meaning of Mercy. Mattie Styles begins in a home where her daddy is unsure of his footing, not truly in or out of her life, and not sure whether there is enough reason for him to choose to stay. Her mother suffers from a slow debilitating disease that steals her memories and saps her of her ability to be cognitively present in her family’s life. Her paternal grandmother, Betty Jean, is holding the family by its fraying foundation, as she struggles to remind her son of his obligation to his family, tries to help anchor her daughter in-law’s mind to the NOW and prays God’s hedge of protection remain around her grandson and granddaughter. But a tragic murder serves as the catalyst that awakens hidden gifts and introduces Mattie to a life of discovery and unexpected temptations. It is during this life shattering funeral that Mattie experiences the dilemma of being between the road that leads to mercy, grace and forgiveness or bitterness and the evil use of her new found abilities.

Listing only - No Screening

Third Place - Best Narrative Feature

Mary McCallum

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HOW TO MAKE A REALITY STAR (Sheriee Nicole | USA, 2018)

“How to Make a Reality Star” is a scripted web series about the behind the scenes shenannigans that goes into creating a reality television superstar. From the manufactured celebrity scandals and "leaked" tabloid "rumors" to the glamsquads and written story-lines of their so called "reality" show lives. This show reveals all the secrets that the industry insiders don't want you to know about!

8 mins

Online Starting October 7, 2018

Sheriee Nicole

Sheriee Nicole is an Arizona native who grew up performing both on stage and in front of the camera. Upon relocating to Los Angeles to pursue acting and television production, she earned roles in a variety of national commercials and independent projects. In 2014, while pursuing her degree in business management, Sheriee wrote, directed and […]

DIVINATION (Rohan Cornwall | USA, 2018)

Daniel Mason receives information of a dark esoteric family secret through an unexpected encounter.  

22 mins

Online Starting October 7, 2018

Zandras Lamar Spivey, Jr.

Zandras L. Spivey Jr is from Miami Florida. Founder and CEO of Yugen Productions. Creator and writer of the mini series Divination.

SPOILER ALERT (Asha Chai-Chang | USA, 2017)

Surrounded by a world of social media and gossip, a young woman has one simple request. No Spoilers!

6 mins

Online Starting October 7, 2018

Asha Chai-Chang

Asha Chai-Chang is CEO of Love My Productions, LLC and Light of Enrichment, Inc. She is also an Award-winning Director, Producer, Actress, Published Author, and Market Manager, among many accolades. Currently, 30 years old, located in Charlotte, NC and most notable for directing and producing the award-winning film, “Cruise Control”. Director Statement “Spoiler Alert” was […]