The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center wraps up the 29th Annual “Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves” Short Film Festival” with the third and final “Meet the Filmmakers’ Panel” on Saturday, April 9, at 1 p.m. PST/4 p.m. EST, on BHERC.TV. The event is virtual and free to the public.
Founded by academy member and producer Sandra J. Evers-Manly, BHERC’s “Sistas” invites female filmmakers to submit their works to be selected in what has traditionally been a blending of contemporary and traditional films. All films can be viewed by registering online at BHERC.org.
The 2022 festival has been an extraordinary event with two outstanding opportunities to meet 20 filmmakers over the past week. Online participants noted the experience as insightful, inspirational, and amazement at the resilience of the novice and seasoned Sista filmmakers.
The festival is highlighted with an opportunity to meet the filmmakers. The following participants are featured: Allie Morgan, director/writer; Desne Wharton, Kierra Usher, producers (Sisters): A story of two sisters coming to terms with their sexuality in different ways, and they’re coming out journey together.
Amanda Scurlock, director; Dan Birman, and USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, producers (The History of Food from the Hood) Food From the Hood was a student-run business created by students at Crenshaw High School in the wake of the 1992 L.A. Uprising (aka the L.A. riots). Their products were vegetables they grew and a salad dressing. Follow the students that used the skills they learned to persevere in school, career, and daily adult life.
Ariel Finks, director/writer (Two Souls) Rose, a novelist, writes a book about her undying love for her husband. Unfortunately, while she is writing the book, he dies. She attempts to continue writing, but she can’t cope with the loss of her soulmate.
Kiki Stevenson, director; Mercy Kamau, writer, and Tabbz Kongoine, producer (Rooftop Date) Two lonely souls meet on a rooftop on Valentine’s.
Makenna Tuttle, director/writer (Forbidden Fruit) Mary and David grew up in a Christian household. Will this next conversation change their relationship forever?
Maytreecia Anniece Harriell, director/writer; Keyanna Dixon, producer (Fault) Fault follows a woman who contracts HIV and must decide whether to tell those closest to her. How will people react to the stigmatized disease? How would you?
Sihle Hlophe, director/writer; Don Edkins, Tiny Mungwee, writers; Bérénice Hahn, Pule Moswane, producers (Lindela Under Lockdown) David, a Congolese national from South Africa for 17 years, is detained at Lindela Repatriation Centre during Level 5 of the national lockdown. He gets hold of an illegal cellphone leaking brother during his time exposing Human Rights violations at Lindela and the limited prevention of COVID-19. Frustrated, David and a group of fellow deportees organize a protest march, but David is not prepared for the repercussions.
Shequeta L. Smith, director/writer; Mingzhu Ye, producer (D***k Control) Richard Tye “Trigga” Simmons, a rich, promiscuous, jet-setting rapper, has a one-night stand with a beautiful groupie who happens to be a witch. When Tye disrespects her, she places a “penis curse” that cock blocks him until he learns how to respect women.
Sherry Brown, director/writer; Sherry Brown, Phederic Semaj, Samir Ali, and Shun Lee writers (He’s Late) You never know why someone is running late – until you know
Tasha Biltmore, director/writer; Cassandra Relynn, producer (The Conversation Series) Bringing awareness of domestic violence through a true story, we see how abuse can affect more than just the victim.
“SISTAS…” began twenty-nine plus years ago as a call to the entertainment industry to acknowledge excellent talent amongst African American women filmmakers. It is now one of the most recognized inspirational of the Black filmmaking community, consistently promoting and supporting the work of African American women in film for almost three decades.
Past “Sista filmmakers and participants” include Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, Shots Fired, Old Guard), Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou), Dianne Houston (first Black Female nominated for an Academy Award / Short Film category), and the Oscar-nominated Dee Rees (Mudbound).
BHERC is committed to providing low-cost access to the Festival. Tickets are $10 for a full festival pass. The price is the same for all age levels.
The Festival runs Sunday, April 10, 11:59 PM PST. Log on to www.BHERC.org for a complete list of upcoming festivals, film news, and additional information.
