Tag: Netflix

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

The Black TV & Film Collective and Black Girls Film Camp present Rising Stars

Join the BTFC & Black Girls Film Camp for a virtual film screening and panel discussion featuring the next generation of Black female filmmakers!

 

Rising Stars is shining a light on the next generation of filmmakers who are starting their journey!

Thurs. April 6th at 6:00 PM ET, Black TV & Film Collective and Black Girls Film Camp are combining forces to hosting a virtual film screening featuring films written and directed by Black teen filmmakers with a passion for seeing their stories told their way!

With heartfelt films that range from comedy to drama to documentary, the Black Girls Film Camp Teen Directors share messages of self-acceptance, advocacy, intersectionality, beauty and more!

Join us as we screen the films and welcome the BGFC Teen Directors to the virtual table to discuss their film and their future as filmmakers!

About Black Girls Film Camp

Black Girls Film Camp is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides a FREE, national, and virtual 12-week experience (held once a year) where high school Black girls across the country pitch a story idea, and a final ten are selected to have their short film project produced by the program. Over 200 Black girls across the country applied for the 2022 camp and 10 finalists were selected to direct and develop their own short films. The camp is an incubator for the 10 girls and each of their films.

Participants receive free technology (iPads, ring lights, wireless mics, tripods, etc.) free software (Final Draft and Adobe Premiere), a personal production team of exemplary Black women creatives (editor and creative coach) contracted out by the camp, an all-expense paid weekend retreat in LA, and free workshops from Black women that are award-winning filmmakers and Ph.D. scholars. Films created by the teen girls and their production teams are showcased live during a virtual event over the summer and at film festivals (i.e. 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival) and college events (i.e. Emory University, USC, UNCC, etc.) in the US throughout the year. Following the 12-week camp, alumni participate in international outreach events throughout the year to share their stories with the world and support other aspiring young Black girl filmmakers.

Another allure to the camp has been the amazing award-winning filmmakers that are featured speakers over the 12-week period. This year’s speaker lineup for the 12-week camp includes BET award-winning Media Executive, Connie Orlando, award-winning Writer and Director Gina Prince-Bythewood, Franchise Manager and Media Professional Monique Mitchell, Manager of Pre-School Animation, Hannah Cope, Head of Studio for Black Women Animate, Fatimah Abdullah, award-winning filmmaker and Casting Director, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, Senior VP of Talent Relations & Casting at Revolt, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough, and more! Some of the partners for this year’s 2023 camp include the University of Southern California, Beats By Dre, Final Draft, Tik Tok, PBS, and Women In Film LA.

#MakeYourWork

Join us and support the next generation of Black filmmakers!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

This event will NOT be recorded.

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Get Help On Your Project

WRITERS & PRODUCERS, this one’s for YOU! Need some extra support to help you #MakeYourWork? Let ‘s go!

On Thursday, March 23rd from 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET, chat with BTFC Black Producers Fellow and award-winning writer, producer and director Gem Little during BTFC Office Hours! She’ll do his best to support you and help you move your project forward!

 

During BTFC Office Hours we’ll answer general production questions and provide an environment where you can get advice and feedback on your projects from industry professionals.

How can we better describe them? It’s an open door for any member who would like to just come in and ask a question. Get a second pair of eyes on a rough cut, get some help on budgets, have your script reviewed…

Remember back in the day when our professors had office hours and you would just go in to ask a question or get some help? That is what these office hours are like.

Join us to talk about your project and ideas, so that you’re better equipped to move them forward. It’s all-time well spent.

Meet Gem

Gem Little, a Chicago native, is an award-winning writer/director/producer based in Los Angeles. Gem found her love of filmmaking when she was a professional dancer and choreographer, picking up a camera for the first time to capture dance films and studio performances.

In 2018, Gem moved to Los Angeles to work for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority after graduating with an MA in urban planning. Her passion for building a better world as an urban planner lingers in her style of storytelling. Gem tends to write off-kilter genre stories that make us think differently about the dark-sides of human nature.

Gem is an MFA graduate of the American Film Institute where she honed her craft as a storyteller. While there, she held internships with Charles King’s MACRO and Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks. Gem is currently a showrunner’s assistant to Patrick Somerville (STATION ELEVEN, MANIAC).

Gem’s more than a decade of experience has earned her recognition from TRIBECA, AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL’S HBO SHORT AWARD, TORONTO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, BRONZELENS, HARLEM INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, and many others.

Most recently, she received a $25,000 grant from the BLACK TV & FILM COLLECTIVE to write and produce her short film, PENS & PENCILS. The film has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award (2023) and has been acquired by HBO MAX (now streaming). Gem also produced WARNERMEDIA ONEFIFTY pilot, REMEMBER, alongside creator, Bernard David Jones. The series has been picked up by Berlanti Productions.

Gem is also an activist, known for her work in community development, including starting Indiana’s state-wide program that helps justice-involved people start small businesses.

While building community through filmmaking in LA, Gem is currently developing a slate of projects under her production company banner, NATURE VS NURTURE, alongside her partner, Nagee Brown.

NOTE: 40-minute slots will be assigned on a first RSVP basis. A Zoom link and information form will be sent to you 48 hours before your session. Please block out 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET on your calendar until your slot is received.

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Members, please use your access code to RSVP.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

The Download: Making Holiday Movie Magic

On Tuesday, December 20th at 7:30 PM ET, join us for the last edition of The Download for 2022!

We’ve invited a few incredible guests – from actors to directors – to take a seat at the virtual table to discuss making the holiday movie!

Meet Our Moderator

Ariel E. Driskellis an American author, screenwriter, and producer based in Atlanta, GA. As a master storyteller (think Yoda + Issa Rae) she uses words to heal people. Originally from Florida, Ariel attended and graduated from Florida A&M University. Her degree in Psychology empowers her to create diverse and relatable characters that capture the hearts of audiences all over the world. In 2013, Ariel published her first book, “A Life Less Interrupted,” and started her film career in 2017. Since then, she has focused on writing and producing films for networks such as BET. Ariel’s network debut project, “Thin Like Me,” which was directed by veteran actress, Meagan Good, was released in July of 2022. And her highly anticipated holiday film, “The First Noelle,” is currently streaming on BET+.”

Meet Our Panelists

Terri J. Vaughn

Terri J. Vaughn first stole America’s heart with her comical portrayal of the lovable Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. After six successful seasons, she went on to star in Will Smith’s executive produced comedy All of Us, Showtime’s hit drama Soul Food, and Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns. Terri currently stars on the upcoming seasons of Ava DuVernay’s Cherish The Day, BET’s First Wives Club and BounceTV’s Johnsons. Terri has been honored with three NAACP Image Awards for her work on The Steve Harvey Show.

As a director, Terri’s latest project, Unthinkably Good Things, filmed in Rome, Italy, is slated to launch Crown Media’s Hallmark Mahogany brand in August 2022. She also just wrapped on an episode of Disney’s Bunk’d. Other notable projects directed by Terri is the first comedic episode of BET’s TALES and Reuben Cannon Entertainment’s Soul Santa. She’s directed several Viacom movies, including the romantic comedy Angrily Ever After, the fun family classic ‘Twas The Chaos Before Christmas.

As a producer, Terri has produced over 16 projects under her independent production company, Nina Holiday Entertainment, with her producing partner Cas Sigers-Beedles.Terri produced and starred in television’s highly rated Girlfriends’ Getaway and its sequel, Girlfriends Getaway 2.

Out of her desire to give back to her community, Terri founded Take Wings Foundation(1997), in the San Francisco Bay Area to mentor young women growing up in at risk communities. Terri’s passion is to uplift and motivate young women to believe in themselves. Terri is represented by Buchwald Agency, managed by Kronicle Media.

Kamel Goffin

Kamel Goffin, the Brooklyn, New York born and bred actor started his acting career training at the Lee Strasberg Acting and Film Institution. He continued his training at New York Film Academy where he was able to hone his skills on the craft he loves. Kamel has been in a number of independent projects before breaking through the door of the industry. You can see him mixing words with the great Forest Whitaker in the second season of Godfather of Harlem (Epix) as drug King pin Moses Temple. He also made an appearance in the series Atlanta (FX), Power (Starz) and Netflix’s Colin in Black and White to name a few. In addition to his episodic features, Kamel was also a part of BET’s feature film, The Business of Christmas 1 and 2, alongside industry veterans Daphne Maxwell Reid and Roger Guenveur Smith.

The former basketball player, barber and law enforcement officer has found a way to use all of these skills to deepen his well to draw from, for character building. This is just the tip of the iceberg for this talented actor so get used to seeing his face across your movie and television screens.

The Download

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a special virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show and Janine Sherman Barrois. 

#MakeYourWork

Join us at this edition of The Download and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Interested in becoming a member? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Get Help On Your Project

Producers, this one’s for YOU! Need some extra support to help you #MakeYourWork? Let’s go!

On Tues. October 15th at 4 PM ET, chat with BTFC Board Member, Emmy-nominated producer and director Okema T. Moore about your project! During Office Hours we do our best to offer insight and feedback that can help push you forward!

During BTFC Office Hours we’ll answer general production questions and provide an environment where you can get advice and feedback on your projects from industry professionals.

How can we better describe them? It’s an open door for any member who would like to just come in and ask a question. Get a second pair of eyes on a rough cut, get some help on budgets, have your script reviewed…Remember back in the day when our professors had office hours and you would just go in to ask a question or get some help? That is what these office hours are like.

Join us to talk about your projects and ideas, so that you’re better equipped to move them forward. It’s all-time well spent.

NOTE: 40-minute slots will be assigned on a first RSVP basis. A Zoom link and form will be sent to you 48 hours before your session. Please block out 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET on your calendar until your slot is received.

 

About Okema T. Moore

 

Okema T. Moore is an EMMY nominated, PGA producer as well as a director, writer and actor. She has worked on projects for OWN, Netflix, FOX, Food Network, TLC and more. Most recently she produced on BET’s Klutch Academy, Showran and Directed BRIC TV’s first late-night talk show and was featured in Variety Magazine speaking on the need for Black Producers to have access to finances to support their work. Okema serves on the board of both NY Women in Film & TV and The Black TV & Film Collective and has committed to lifting while she climbs these industry ladders.

 

This event is exclusive to BTFC MEMBERS ONLY.

Members, make sure to use your code to access this event!

Interested in becoming a member? Visit www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

BTFC End of Summer Mixer: Los Angeles

*Seats are limited; RSVP today to secure your spot for this exclusive event! * Vaccination is required.

The BTFC will beLIVE in Los Angelesfor the first time! Come mix and mingle with us on Saturday, September 17th at 3 PM PT at the Blackbird Collective for an evening of great conversation and networking.

 

Your ticket covers hors d’oeuvres catered by award-winning celebrity chef, Chef Qwith a tasteful selection of wines by 1010 Wines, a Black woman-owned wine company!

AND… we have BIG NEWS!

This mixer will feature members of ourADVISORY BOARDfor our very first LIVE session ofThe Download! 

If you’ve ever attended The Download, you know the line-up for this one will be INCREDIBLE!

Get ready to:

– Mingle and network with the Black TV & Film Collective team, board and members

– Learn more about upcoming programs and initiatives at the BTFC

– Gain insight and information from industry veterans

– Enjoy great food and great company

The Download LIVE: Activate Your Passion, Make Your Work

Meet our Panelists

Hilliard Guess is a writer/producer who has written on shows such as The Russo Bros SYFY series DEADLY CLASS and was recently the EP/Showrunner of the digital series TICKER (winner Best Series at the 2021 World International Film Festival). He has made a name for himself in the indie world and has built a strong career that’s made him invaluable, from managing sets and productions, in numerous writers/development rooms and producing TV/Film from script-to-screen.

Currently, Hilliard is the Director of Development at Showrunner Ben Watkins Blue Monday Productions. He is a powerful voice in the writing community, promoting BIPOC writers and inclusion and dedicates his time to the WGAW Co-Chair – Committee of Black Writers (he co-penned the viral article DEAR HOLLYWOOD ), serves as Co-chair of The Writers Education Committee and is also a member of the LGBTQ+, Latinx and Genre Committees.

Hilliard is building a name for himself across social media as the longtime host/moderator of the popular Screenwriter’s Rant Room, as well as the WGAW 3rd & Fairfax podcasts where he interviews A-list writer/producers from a long list of our favorite films and TV shows.

D. Woods has performed throughout the U.S. and internationally in Johannesburg South Africa, trained at the Alvin Ailey School, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Acting Program and Study Abroad Dance Program in Havana Cuba. D. Woods received her Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Study through NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She performed and toured with major recording artists and appeared in music videos, and ultimately became a household name in the pop/R&B group Danity Kane, songwriting and contributing creatively to both of the group’s multi-platinum albums. In 2009 D. Woods launched her independent label WOODGRANE ENTERTAINMENT, releasing music and producing live performances and visual content.

Returning to her theatrical roots, D. Woods has been featured in many Film/TV, Off Broadway and Broadway theater productions such as; acclaimed film BLACKBIRD by Patrick Ian Polk, , HOLLA IF YOU HEAR ME directed by Kenny Leon, her semi-autobiographical One Woman show “MY FAVORITE COLOR: Trouble in Paradise”, TALES on BET and most recently the seven-time TONY AWARD nominated Broadway revival of Ntzoke Shange’s ‘for colored girls…” Audiences can now see D. Woods the ALL BLACK streaming network series STUCK WITH YOU and Yha Mourhia Wright’s new film “DON’T BE DESPERATE”. Stream her latest music release CALL IT QUITS, available on all digital music platforms.

Denzel Whittaker

Born in Torrance, CA, Denzel Whitaker is best known for his award-winning role in THE GREAT DEBATERS, performing opposite his namesakes Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. Denzel has also graced the screen in film and TV fan favorites like BLACK PANTHER, CUT THROAT CITY, THE PURGE TV SERIES, WARRIOR, U SHOOT VIDEOS?, ABDUCTION, and TRAINING DAY.

In 2011, Denzel began developing his skillset behind the camera. Since then, he’s worked 5 years at Cartoon Network on hit shows including BOONDOCKS and BLACK DYNAMITE, became a published fashion photographer, and the music videos he’s directed have garnered millions of views.

Denzel founded his production company, BLACKMOUF, in 2013. His latest project, 5150, won SeriesFest’s Audience Award for Best Drama Pilot, and was selected for Tribeca Now and HollyShorts Film Festival. Directed and co-written by Denzel, 5150 stars Jovan Adepo, is executive produced by David Oyelowo, and is currently being developed as a TV series.

Don’t miss out! You want to be in the room with heavy hitters and up-and-coming filmmakers in the film industry!

Come dressed to impress! We look forward to seeing you there!

This event is open to all. 

Members, contact [email protected] for your discount code. 

Please Note: Tickets will NOT be sold at the door. Tickets are transferable, not refundable.

Proof of vaccination will be required in order to attend this indoor event. Masks are optional.

Interested in becoming a member of the BTFC? Visit www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Get Help On Your Project

Producers, this one’s for YOU! Need some extra support to help you #MakeYourWork? Let’s go!

Chat with BTFC Board Member and writer, director, and Emmy-nominated producer (UnladyLike 2020) Okema T. Moore about your project! During Office Hours we do our best to offer insight and feedback that can help push you forward!

During BTFC Office Hours we’ll answer general production questions and provide an environment where you can get advice and feedback on your projects from industry professionals.

How can we better describe them? It’s an open door for any member who would like to just come in and ask a question. Get a second pair of eyes on a rough cut, get some help on budgets, have your script reviewed…Remember back in the day when our professors had office hours and you would just go in to ask a question or get some help? That is what these office hours are like.

Join us to talk about your projects and ideas, so that you’re better equipped to move them forward. It’s all-time well spent.

NOTE: 40-minute slots will be assigned on a first RSVP basis. A Zoom link and form will be sent to you 48 hours before your session. Please block out 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET on your calendar until your slot is received.

 

About Okema T. Moore

 

Okema T. Moore is an EMMY nominated, PGA producer as well as a director, writer and actor. She has worked on projects for OWN, Netflix, FOX, Food Network, TLC and more. Most recently she produced on BET’s Klutch Academy, Showran and Directed BRIC TV’s first late-night talk show and was featured in Variety Magazine speaking on the need for Black Producers to have access to finances to support their work. Okema serves on the board of both NY Women in Film & TV and The Black TV & Film Collective and has committed to lifting while she climbs these industry ladders.

 

This event is exclusive to BTFC MEMBERS ONLY.

Members, make sure to use your code to access this event!

Interested in becoming a member? Visit www.blacktvfilmcollective.org/join