Home About Us Films Workshops Our Sponsors Contact Us Links Film Schedule   Friday, July 24, 2009 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm Montage#1, Silence Rashin Fahandej and Katherine Toukhy USA / 2008 / 5 minutes   The first of a series of short pieces, Montage #1 places an ever-present iconic female figure at the center of a stream of images referencing life, loss, and power.   The artists seek to highlight the place of women and women’s rights on a world stage dominated by polarizing forces of western imperialism and eastern fundamentalisms. Perfection Vanessa Grey USA / 2007 / 8 Minutes   In this coming-of-age story, an American Indian girl's dream of the perfect trip to the ocean for the first time with her deaf father is crushed by her own unwillingness to accept his disability, thereby her own heritage as well. The Birthday Party! Directed by Véronique N. Doumbe' USA / 2009 / 7 minutes   A father on his second tour in Iraq. A mother trying to keep her children safe. A son on the brink of manhood. A daughter anticipating her tenth birthday. A party that will change their lives forever. Barrio De Paz Directed by Global Oneness Project Ecuador / 2007 / 17 minutes   In Guayaquil, Ecuador, Nelsa Curbelo works with youth gangs through Barrio de Paz, where rival gangs have given up crime to rebuild the community. Gulabi Gang Pretty (Bad Ass) in Pink Shagun Rastogi  India / 2008 / 5:35 minutes    Sampat Pal heads the Gulabai Gang, a revolutionary movement in India committed to protecting women against social malpractice, corrupt administrators, and abusive husbands. F^ck*ng Liar Ceceila Peters USA / 2009 / 3 minutes   I will have a synop here.  Can you help me make a temporary one? I Love You Directed by Sabrina Moella Canada / 2008 / 4 minutes Three words that many people are afraid to say… Janice is an independent and organized black woman. Chris is a relaxed and creative black man. Although those two are madly in love with each other, when they decide to move in together, they quickly realize that there is a thin line between love and hate... Nappy Heads Sabrina Moella Canada / 2007 / 3 minutes   A tribute to the glorious afro! “Nappy Heads” is a short experimental documentary about afro hair. Shot on Super 8 in the streets of Toronto, it portrays dozen of women, men and children who all accepted to show the beauty of their hair in front of the camera. Twists, dreadlocks, cornrows… A lot of different hairstyles are represented. And the jazzy funky score “Seems as though” (composed by Toronto-based musician Carl Merenick) will make you want to dance for sure! Nadir’s Distorted Soul Alicia Smythe Detroit, Michigan, USA / 2009 / 9:20 minutes   An exclusive snapshot of Detroit recording artist, Singer/songwriter and producer Nadir & the music of Distorted Soul - includes interviews with J.Nadir and Akanke Omowale.     Nadir's Distorted Soul will perform live and CDs will be available for sale!    Sunday, July 26, 2009 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Beautiful Me(s): Finding our Revolutionary Selves in Black Cuba Robin J. Hayes CUBA / USA / 2008 / 45 minutes   Beautiful Me(s): Finding our Revolutionary Selves in Black Cuba, a documentary film about a diverse group of underdog students who journey from the ivy league to the rebel state of Cuba (www.beautifulmes.com). She has published several essays and articles about the politics of the African diaspora and social movements in global perspective and given lectures about her scholarship at the University of Chicago, Indiana University, the New School for Social Research and Middlebury College among others. In addition, she has held residential fellowships at Williams College and Northwestern University and received support for her work from the Ford Foundation.  Currently, Prof. Hayes is finishing a book manuscript, African Liberation, Black Power and a Diasporic Underground, and directing a documentary about black social movements based on interviews with African American and African activists.   Please click here for more information and to view the trailer. INVISIBLE WOMAN Toni Blackman featuring Monik Tenday, Lolo... Directed by SmallPower Production Africa / 2009 / 3:58 minutes   (Rhyme Like A Girl in the DRC. Je Suis Une Femme Invisible)   The song is based on Toni's poem "Invisible Woman". She arranged it and then co-produced it with DRC's Racine Alternative. The video is a PSA for the Elimination of Violence Against Women made possible in part through a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Dept of State, Washington, DC. The work was generated as a part of Toni's artist residency with Lexxus, a Conogolese hip hop star and producer. She worked with a larger group of men and women and also facilitated Rhyme Like A Girl sessions w/ the female participants.   Please click here to watch the video. Mann ke Manjeeré Breakthrough TV Music Director: Shantanu Moitra Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi Artist Shubha Mudgal India / 2006 / 5:15 minutes   See memorable stills from the cult-classic music video, "Mann ke Manjeeré." Actress Mita Vasisht leaves an abusive marriage and works as a truck driver to support and empower her daughter and herself. The video in turn became a MTV nominated cult-classic empowering women across the globe. Babul Breakthrough TV Music Director: Shantanu Moitra Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi Artist Shubha Mudgal India / 2007 / 5:38 minutes   Breakthrough's video- Babul- is a beautifully shot, stirring music video that explores the reality of domestic violence behind the façade of modern society through the eyes of a young girl. Very Young Girls Co-Executive Producer: Rachel Lloyd Producer and Director: David Schisgall USA / 2007 / 84 minutes    Very Young Girls is an expose of human trafficking that follows thirteen and fourteen year old American girls as they are seduced, abused, and sold on New York’s streets by pimps, and treated as adult criminals by police. The film follows the barely-adolescent girls in real time, using vérité and intimate interviews with them as they are first lured on to the streets and the dire events which follow. The film also uses startling footage shot by the brazen pimps themselves giving a rare glimpse into how the cycle of street life begins for many women. Please click here for more information or to see the trailer. The Enlightened Time (Jana) Director: Stephan Galfas & Clint Childers USA / 2007 / 5 Minutes / Music Video   This is a gorgeously shot, inspirational "mini movie" that uses beauty of nature and the American western desert landscape as a backdrop for the compelling message of Jana's song, "The Enlightened Time."   Jana embarks upon a journey that finds her looking into the past of her people through the eyes of Sha'kona, the heroine of this song who lived many generations ago. As Jana looks back in time and sees the wonderful experiences that took place in the lives of Sha'kona and her people so long ago, she discovers the true meaning of who she is and where she came from. Through her connection with her people and their past, Jana understands their strength, unity and solidarity-ideals that still hold true in our world today. Tahara Director by Sara Rashad USA / 2005 / 18 minutes / 35mm   TAHARA depicts the horrifying and very current harsh reality of female genital mutilation on the psyche of Amina who must decide if she will submit to family pressure to circumcise her daughter. City of Paradise Directed by Gaelle Denis 6 minutes  In this fantastical short film blending animation and live-action, a recent immigrant to London discovers a magical realm underneath the city that fills her with hope and a sense of place and safety. A Fish Never Sleeps Directed by Gaelle Denis 6 minutes  / animation Naoko is a complete insomniac. She has tried everything to get to sleep. She works in her own sushi restaurant and she lives close to the Tsukiji Market, the biggest fish market in the world. After the Rain Directed by Gaelle Denis 6 minutes  / animation Lian the waitress dissolves when she cries, and only returns when it rains. And Adrian the laundry man coughs feathers when he is stressed. Silent Choices Faith Pennick USA / 2007 / 60 minutes   Silent Choices is about abortion and its impact on the lives of African American women.  The film is a ‘hybrid’ documentary: part historical piece, part social and religious analysis and part first-person narrative.  From African American’s cautious involvement with Margaret Sanger during the early birth control movement to black nationalists and civil rights activists who staunchly opposed abortion (or stayed silent on the issue), Silent Choices examines the juxtaposition of racial and reproductive  politics.  Three black women also share their stories of the abortions they had, including a woman’s wrenching tale of the illegal procedure she endured.   Please click here for more information and to view the trailer. “New Bike” Stephanie Yang USA / 2008 / 5:46 minutes   (re)claiming a tightly held memory of longing becomes a grown-up desire. Pigeon Wings Stephanie Yang USA / 2008 / minutes    A journey to an ancestral home reveals a poetic search to belong. Both/And Stephanie Yang USA / 2006 / 6:35 minutes   Made in response to the growing public and political discourse on immigration rights, this film explores the personal impact of immigration and interracial marriage on the second generation - those of use born and raised in the US. This film finds the connecting link through the shared experience between father and daughter, in both having 2 names.  3:52 Shawna Baca USA / 2007 / 12 minutes   The story portrays the life of young Kate, an alcoholic in the grips of her addiction, as she takes a spiritual journey toward recovery and must face the demons that haunt her. It is the classic story of good versus evil and life versus death set in the diametric backdrops of the City of Angels, and an unseen world of power and spirits. When the Spirits Dance Mambo Cuando los Espiritus Bailan Mambo Directed by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega & Robert Shepard USA / 2002 / 90 minutes Spanish with English subtitles   A triumphant voyage of faith and power, "Cuando los Espíritus Bailan Mambo"/"When the Spirits Dance Mambo" is a real life testament of strength and triumph of the human spirit. Tracing the role of sacred African thought and practices in the formation of Cuban society, culture and music, the 90-minute documentary is a tribute to the spiritual energy that traveled from West Africa to Cuba and New York.   Please click here for more information and to view the trailer.   The video will be for sale at the film festival! 3 Colors Ryan Meyers Detroit, Michigan, USA / 2006 / 7:10 minutes   3 Colors is an experimental study of the urban female psyche. The lives of three culturally distinct Brooklynites are explored utilizing dance, experimental editing and photography. 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