Actress and singer Ketty Lester will be honored for her lifetime of work in the entertainment industry at the 31st Anniversary of Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves Short Film Showcase on Saturday, May 4, at 4 p.m. Princess Monique, an accomplished producer and director, will moderate the showcase.
The event, sponsored by the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC), will be held at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles. Also, a virtual film festival will take place following the showcase and feature the screening of 16 submissions out of more than 1,000 entries.
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“‘Sistas‘ began 30 years ago as a call to the entertainment industry to acknowledge and highlight outstanding Black women directors and Black and diverse emerging talent. What began as a small screening and discussion has become one of the most recognized, inspirational, and emulated events of the Black filmmaking community in the country. It is a clear-cut concept: a showcase and festival of short films directed by some of the nation’s top emerging directors and filmmakers, with a dialogue following,” said John Forbes, BHERC festival director.
“What we will see in this year’s festival, is not anything new. These ‘Sistas’ have been doing this and they have been creating magic. The stories are fresh and thought-provoking, they offer diverse perspectives and are sure to excite, and this showcase will give them the platform they deserve.”
Lester made her television debut in 1957 on “The Groucho Marx Show” and five years later, gained new fans with her hit single, “Love Letters.” She went on to perform with Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Cab Calloway, Sidney Poitier, Bernie Mac, and more.
Also, Lester acted in the films “Blacula,” “Blue Velvet,” and “Uptown Saturday Night.” In addition, she was the first Black actress to earn a long-term role on “Little House on the Prairie,” which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024.
“Having toured around the world and experiencing enough to cover three lifetimes, Lester has not received the recognition she deserves. BHERC is honored to be able to offer her just a fraction of that recognition and love, in celebration for her upcoming 90th birthday, as we continue to stand on her shoulders and walk through doors that she opened,” said BHERC President Sandra Evers-Manly.
Princess Monique, also known as Princess Monique Filmz, is an alumni of the Walt Disney/ABC Directing Program Class of 2020, which helped launch and cultivate her career. Her directing credits include the OWN hit drama “Greenleaf,” ABC comedy series “Black-ish,” NBC comedy series “Grand Crew,” FOX drama “Our Kind of People,” ABC comedy “The Goldbergs,” and STARZ drama “Black Mafia Family.”
Tickets for opening celebration and reception are $40 for adults and $30 for seniors and students. All proceeds will benefit the BHERC educational programs. Purchase tickets online at www.bherc.org or call (310) 284-3170 for more information.
