The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) announced today a Call For Entries for the 11th Annual BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival streaming virtually on BHERC.TV Saturday, January 16th thru Sunday, January 17th, 2021. After a successful month-long 26th Annual African American Film Marketplace & S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase (AAFM SEMSFS) which went virtual this year due to COVID – 19 online at www.BHERC.TV entertaining more than 6700 attendees from across the globe, the Youth Diversity Film Festival will also screen virtually focused solely on films by Middle and High School students and special panels with industry professionals. “With such a great response to our large festival by attendees who watched on-demand industry panels, special events, screenings and the 140 curated films told by diverse filmmakers from 18 countries, 20 US states ages 9 to adult,” stated Festival Director Billie J. Green. “We wanted to continue our commitment to our youth by providing a distinct opportunity for them to shine and amplify their work!”.
Created eleven years ago, this festival is an opportunity for emerging youth filmmakers to showcase their skills, talent, and vision through film. As in the past, the Youth Diversity Film Festival will present a combination of 50 plus short films by Middle and High School students. In addition to screening films, BHERC introduces the youth to top professionals in the film, television and animation industries that successfully navigate and create in various positions such as directors, editors, animators, script writers and more through panels with Q&A sessions. A few of the planned panels include “How Sound and Music Supports Story Telling” in partnership Motion Picture Editors Guild and “Animators On Animating”. BHERC encourages ALL youth who are interested in filmmaking, or storytelling to plan to attend the virtual festival.
The BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival is directed by Billie J. Green who is recognized by both Sandra Evers-Manly, BHERC Founder/President and John Forbes, Executive Director for developing the organization’s vision for this program. Ms. Green works with instructors and mentors of students in schools and programs across the country as the festival is open to all youth with or without a school affiliation. “Billie
knows how important our youth are as the future of emerging American Black and Brown Filmmakers,” elated John Forbes. “She is dedicated to providing avenues and resources that help to identify, hone and showcase their talents while propelling them forward toward their goals.”
To submit your film for consideration to be included in the festival, please go online to: https://bherc.org/festivals/los-angeles-youth-diversity-film-festival/ to download and complete the form in its entirety. A summary of what to know to submit entry:
- Complete form
- Must be age 9 to 18 (no school requirement)
- Submit your short film through http://bherc.wetransfer.com or wetransfer.com
- Your film must be no shorter than 1 minute and no longer than 60 minutes
- Include your production crew and cast
- Include any production photos
- Include any marketing materials or reviews of your project
- SUBMISSION DEADLINE, DECEMBER 31ST, 2020 – 11:59PM
Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, BHERC is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of African Americans in film and television. BHERC programs include film festivals, mentoring, book signings, script readings, film and animation contests, scholarships, and other programs and special events.
Remember to Save-the-Date for the 11th Annual BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival online at www.BHERC.TV Saturday, January 16th thru Sunday, 17th, 2021. For information about the festival and film submissions please contact Billie J. Green, Director, BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival at email: [email protected] or by phone: (323) 732-6275. Check back after January 1, 2020 to register for the festival at www.BHERC.org.
For general inquiries about BHERC and its full listing of programs reach us online at www.BHERC.org or by email at [email protected]g or by Phone: (310) 284-3170. Subscribe to BHERC.TV today offering narrative and documentary short and feature films about the African American experience, as well as content from across the diaspora and diverse populations.
