One of our favorite media blogs, Shadow and Act, is running this short film contest. If the story you tell includes the African Diaspora experience – submit your work – and let us know how it goes!
Here’s the link to the contest: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/enter-the-s-a-fantastical-short-films-web-series-contest-win-a-cash-prize?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
This is a documentary series by Dash Harris (twitter handle: @InADash) on racial identity and the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean. Click here to learn more about the series: http://negrodocumentary.com/
Here are some quotes about the series from the tumblr blog:
“I was soooo inspired !!! Your project on educating the world about Afro-Latinos through your documentary Negro, is so amazing.” -Jisela Rodriguez
“Though the issue is very sad, it’s beautiful how so many conscious people are in this documentary speaking their stories. I’m a Black-American and I do have relatives from Mexico and I hardly know much about them because I felt we were too different to even get to know each other. This documentary has changed my mind,”
“Viva los afrodescendientes! viva latinos! I love this. I have shared this as much as possible! Keep up the good work”
“Loving this docu-series! I cannot wait to see what’s coming next. Very proud of how this project is portraying *us*! -Lidia Anain
“You have no idea how much your first piece has amazed me in every level. I related to every single second if it. I relate to this documentary so much I cannot even begin to write down all the things that are in my mind…it’s insane to see a series just about me. That is literally me. It has touched me beyond words….I can’t even wrap my head around it. Please keep up the good work. i support you.” -Jasmine Oufkir Cruz
from indiewire.com
Gary Anthony Williams and Jeannie Roshar are an interracial writing team (who also direct and act). They co-founded the LA Comedy Shorts Festival, which premiered the short film I Own You – about the ups and downs of interracial love. They have now sold the film as a feature to Lionsgate (the company that brought us Crash, Precious)
Here’s a plot synopsis of the film, written by Roshar:
Ronnie, an African-American man, and Betsy, his Caucasian wife, are shocked to learn that in the 1800’s, her family owned his in slavery. At first, Ronnie brushes it off, but then an ax, a dashiki, Oprah Winfrey and a cotton ball cause him to look at his wife in a whole new way.
We’ll be keeping track of the film here on our blog. Let us know if you had a chance to see the short and what your thoughts are! We at MixedRootsStories.org are cautiously optimistic.
Yayoi L. Winfrey filled out our ‘promote your story link’ to promote her film Watermelon Sushi. Let us know if you have any projects you’d like us to promote!
“Michiko Johnson looks Asian. She says she’s black. A hip-hop head, soul sistah who greases on greens and cornbread, Michiko is outspoken about her African roots. She adores her younger sister, April, whose physical features are more African than hers. But April speaks fluent Japanese and eats only vegan meals with chopsticks.”
“Told against the backdrop of the rising rap music scene of the early 1980’s,Watermelon Sushi plans to feature old school rappers like Chuck D, Kool Mo Dee, LL Cool J, Afrika Bambaataa and newcomers like Japan’s superstar enka singer, Jero-san.”
In addition to being in film production Watermelon Sushi is an art exhibit series, a blog, and book of photos/poetry/illustrations “Watermelon Sushi: The Story of a Black Girl and Her Japanese Mother.”
http://www.watermelonsushi.com/
I participated in Film Independent’s Project:Involve program back in 2007, when, after several years of pursuing an acting career, I decided that I wanted to be an actor who also knows how to write and produce. I was growing tired of the kinds of roles my agent sent me out for – e.g. ‘Party Girl #1’ for Bud Light commercials – and was especially tired of not seeing people I could relate to being represented in the media. That’s how I found Film Independent.
Film Independent is dedicated to nurturing underrepresented filmmakers through workshops, mentor programs (like Project:Involve) and the Independent Spirit Awards. Project:Involve surrounds its participants with mentors, professionals and other filmmakers whose voices have often been rejected in the mainstream. The application process is rigorous, but if you are chosen, any of Film Independent’s programs will change the trajectory of your filmmaking career – and the media will greatly benefit from having your added voice.
Upcoming deadlines:
2014 Directing Lab: October 7th 2013
2014 Documentary Lab: December 2nd 2013
The next Project:Involve deadline is April 2014.
Best of luck – and keep telling your story!