The Detroit Women of Color, Inc. (DWC, Inc) produces the annual Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival
and facilitates workshops and programs to empower, educate, and entertain. We present exceptional, culturally diverse programs
of inter-generational films and videos by African American, Continental African, Asian, Caribbean, Latina, Middle Eastern
and Native American women filmmakers. DWC, Inc strengthens our communities by honoring our differences while highlighting
our shared experiences, and expanding our cultural awareness through film.We
utilize the film festival, workshops, and programs to advance dialogue on social and women's issues. We promote positive empowering
images of people of color in the media; while providing useful resources and global networking opportunities for the film
community in Metro Detroit.
The Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival showcases exciting
high quality film screenings in a sophisticated theatre environment featuring award winning films by or about women of color.The festival allows us to reach communities that have limited access to progressive,
independent global films and videos by women of color and the opportunity to directly engage filmmakers about their art.Our diverse audiences include all ethnic, spiritual, generational, and economic backgrounds
from Metro Detroit and Canada.
Film festivals allow independent women
filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work.While there were approximately
4,000 film festivals in the United States registered on the online Film Festival Directory1in 2004, according to Women
in the Director’s Chair, there are only 39 film festivals in the world that focus on films by women.The celluloid ceiling is alive and well for women.Women of
color have less opportunity in the film industry.Hollywood guilds are 80 to
90 % white.2 “Women @ the Box Office” debunks the notion that films made by women or featuring female protagonists
earn less at the box office than those made by or featuring males. When female and
male filmmakers have similar budgets for their films, the resulting
domestic, international and opening weekend box office grosses – as well as DVD sales – are also similar3.
The Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival gives women of color filmmakers from
all over the world an opportunity to have their stories told.The DWC, Inc. highlights
the work of local women of color filmmakers in Metro Detroit which garners support from their own community.
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Detroit Women of Color, Inc. Workshops
The DWC, Inc Workshops for women and girls are an excellent
way to educate the community on issues that are relevant to their empowerment.Due to the growing requests by schools, rites of passage programs, organizations,
and youth centers, the DWC, Inc began film workshops in Michigan.
The DWC, Inc workshops for women and girls are used as a tool of healing
and self love. Film makes the audience feel comfortable letting down their guard in ways that a lecture would not, allowing
us to relate to all generations. The workshops focus on empowering women, self image/self esteem, sexism, racism, rape/violence
against women, to political empowerment. The films are followed by an in-depth discussion, and a hands on project to educate
and empower our participants.
A Girl Like Me
by Kiri Davis
Lonette McKee,
Actress, Singer, Executive Producer, Director
The
DWC, Inc also offers workshops for filmmakers facilitated by some of the most powerful women of color in the film industry.Workshops on how to produce your film, navigate the film industry, distribute your
film, and more.We will continue to collaborate with organizations, productions
companies, educators, film festivals, and experienced industry professionals to bring useful resources
for independent filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors.This year we are featuring
Lonette McKee, Marshalle Montgomery, and Serenity Sherie Boston as workshop facilitators at the Third Annual Detroit Women
of Color International Film Festival.
DWC, Inc. utilizes the
film festival, workshops, and programs to advance dialogue on social and/or women's issues. We promote positive empowering
images of people of color in the media; while providing useful resources and global networking opportunities for the film
community in Metro Detroit.
Please fill out the form for more information or to
inquire about the DWC, Inc. facilitating
a workshop at your school, organization, program, or
religious institution.
