2020 BLACK TRUTH FILM FESTIVAL RECAP
Congratulations to our 2020 Winners!
Congratulations to our 2020 Winners!
2020 TRAILERS
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The Black Truth Film Festival seeks to encourage educated discussion of black history & culture. This is not your typical film festival! We provide the platform for the black narrative to be told & heard through film.
We live in a world where the population and even black people are not fully educated on the significance of black history or true nature of black culture. Black generations have been silenced, failing to past down historic accounts out of fear or apathy, believing their stories would never truly matter.
Today, there are still too many untold stories, too many unanswered injustices, too many questions and prejudices.
Why do black males suffer such high incarceration rates when they only make up 13-17% of the population? Why are black women three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than any other race in America? Is there more behind the stigma of blacks being associated with crime, drugs, violence, & poverty? Why are black women so often sexually objectified and seen as angry? Why aren't more black people shown in positive roles in media? Why must a black man live in constant fear for his life from a system that's supposed to provide justice and equality for all? Why do black people constantly feel unsafe? Is there any good reason to explain any of this? Does anything good ever come out of such a culture?
These are only some of the questions we hope to address and share, not just within the black community but with all to encourage educational discussion. There is no denying just by being black anywhere you are subject to a host of invalid assumptions. There's no denying not enough of the world, even within our own culture has a complete picture of the black narrative.
But we must start somewhere.
So we invite you to share your story or that of another. Especially during such a critical time in history where it is evident, we must no longer be silent and speak our truth now. Be heard.
If you have ever wondered about some of the questions listed above this is an opportunity to gain insight and hear the perspectives of black people on black culture for yourself. Here at The Great Black Narrative, we invite you, challenge you even to first learn, then help change the black narrative simply by sharing the truth.
We live in a world where the population and even black people are not fully educated on the significance of black history or true nature of black culture. Black generations have been silenced, failing to past down historic accounts out of fear or apathy, believing their stories would never truly matter.
Today, there are still too many untold stories, too many unanswered injustices, too many questions and prejudices.
Why do black males suffer such high incarceration rates when they only make up 13-17% of the population? Why are black women three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than any other race in America? Is there more behind the stigma of blacks being associated with crime, drugs, violence, & poverty? Why are black women so often sexually objectified and seen as angry? Why aren't more black people shown in positive roles in media? Why must a black man live in constant fear for his life from a system that's supposed to provide justice and equality for all? Why do black people constantly feel unsafe? Is there any good reason to explain any of this? Does anything good ever come out of such a culture?
These are only some of the questions we hope to address and share, not just within the black community but with all to encourage educational discussion. There is no denying just by being black anywhere you are subject to a host of invalid assumptions. There's no denying not enough of the world, even within our own culture has a complete picture of the black narrative.
But we must start somewhere.
So we invite you to share your story or that of another. Especially during such a critical time in history where it is evident, we must no longer be silent and speak our truth now. Be heard.
If you have ever wondered about some of the questions listed above this is an opportunity to gain insight and hear the perspectives of black people on black culture for yourself. Here at The Great Black Narrative, we invite you, challenge you even to first learn, then help change the black narrative simply by sharing the truth.
One story at a time.
The future depends on it.
The time is now.
The future depends on it.
The time is now.
YEARLONG CHALLENGE:
TO EMPOWER FILMMAKERS OF ALL LEVELS TO GIVE BLACK COMMUNITY ITS VOICE
TO EMPOWER FILMMAKERS OF ALL LEVELS TO GIVE BLACK COMMUNITY ITS VOICE
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This challenge invites filmmakers (of every race from around the world) to highlight the clear racial biases displayed in the American legal & jails systems and by its law enforcement towards Black Americans in their own unique way.
Compare the American systems in place to another country's, tell the story of a loved one or one of the many who have made the news (Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown), document the laws, practices and/or systems in place past or present that still impact Black Americans disproportionately today more than any other race. To submit your film for consideration go to the FilmFreeway Platform and enter your film into the "Genocide of Black Americans" category. There is NO time limit on this category. You receive the same recognition as an award winner at our annual film festival event. |
ENTER TODAY2021 ONLINE SUBMISSIONS OPEN NOW!
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2021 TIMELINE1 April 2020 Submissions Open
30 September 2020 Earlybird Registration ends 15 March 2021 Official Deadline 1 April 2021 Official notification to nominees 30 April 2021 Deadline for nominees mail entries 19 June 2021 Event date * (Online/Virtual) AWARDSSee WHY YOU SHOULD SUBMIT tab
Filmmakers may have their film advertised for up to ONE (1) year via www.thegreatblacknarrative.com, where their film will continue to educate & inspire others as well as gain more views and interaction which may lead to more opportunities. Filmmakers may also be featured in an article interview with our network. We encourage you to join the provider's mailing list via the website to receive updates. |
2020 WINNERS
We invite you to share these experiences through the lens of talented filmmakers
LIFE. Being of mixed races, I have always enjoyed many of the privileges of being Black, but have faced none of the consequences of it. I became inspired to better understand the Black experience at Middlebury—not by internalizing the experience but by opening up to those already in this space.
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AT RISK YOUTH. Coach Michelle "Shooter" Barnes is an ex-high school basketball star who now teaches at her old high school on the southside of Chicago. Coach encounters a ruckus in the school locker room after recess and attempts to intercede. As a result, she is threatened by one of her students and is tested in more ways than expected.
Jan Johnson Goldberger
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POLICE. A young man's life is forever changed after he is stopped for an I.D. check.
Janice Mingas N'Gouama
Contact: @janice.mty @when.the.night.has.come |
HOLLYWOOD. A-List African American actor, Anthony, is convinced by his agent, Scott, to audition for a slavery role that is sure to win an Oscar and get Anthony recognized on a major scale. During the audition, the script becomes all too real as Anthony soon realizes that he is nothing but a modern day slave on Hollywood's auction block.
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HISTORY. The Montford Point Marines were determined to serve and to fight for their country abroad as heroes even though they faced segregation when they returned home. Even though they defended freedom, back in America, they still faced racism. They remained focused and optimistic when facing obstacles in life.
Shane Fordham
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HOW MUCH DOES RACE FACTOR INTO OUR LIVES? A biracial young woman lies about her identity on a job application. When she is called in for an interview, she finds herself in an unusual situation and must choose between who she is, or the person she desires to be.
Shannon Dion
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HISTORY. Stand down and go home, Johnny Reb. Mississippians (NOT ACTORS, real, natives) , craft a heartfelt letter to the Confederate "sentinels" looming over courthouse lawns and make the appeal to these manifestations of Confederate ancestors’ racism on why it’s time for them to stand down and go home.
Philip Scarborough
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POLICE. This film highlights the abuse of 911 calls due to unsubstantiated fears that result in the unwarranted death of black men and other encounters with law enforcement.
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A STORY OF RESILIENCE & FAMILY.
At her high school graduation party, a teenage girl, whose only chance of making it out of poverty is through college, scrambles to recover stolen tuition money before reliant family members catch on to her secret.
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THE REALITY OF FOSTER CARE & HOMELESSNESS. A homeless young man struggles to find his place in the world and make sense of a traumatic childhood.
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*Some films include graphic language
HONORABLE MENTIONS
CONGRATULATIONS on your hard work and honorable mention!
These films told valuable stories about the black community and are worth looking into!
Listed in no particular order.
These films told valuable stories about the black community and are worth looking into!
Listed in no particular order.
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On The Subway
by Talora Michal January 14th by La'Chris Jordan The Crip Who Loves Yoga by Carmena Su Slave 2 by Rico Shay Solomon's Dilemma by JRAD PRODUCTIONS The GIFT by Anthony T. Green #BlackSummer19: Black Teens Explore the Climate Crisis in North Carolina by Kaleia Martin Forgive Us Our Debts by Howard Mitchell Conviction by Kelly Marshall Family Box by Ron Clemons Dear Carefree Black Girl by Tryphena Wade The Ladies of Oak Cliff by Elroy Johnson Thicke by Richard E Haywood Reticent: 'Cause Black Boys Can't Cry by Antwon Lindsey New York to Conakry: The Dundunba by Richard McKeown OUTSIDE - Daniel Laurent by Jeff Palmer Squeegee by Khalid Ali |
Hollywood's Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story
by Shirlyn Cesar Jail or Yale: Young, Black and Out of Options? by Chris Spence Get Over It by James Ridley Kings America Made by Kameron Mack Latasha Harlins: A Rose That Grew from Concrete by Shannon Bennett May Day on the Green by Reginald B. Christophe I Hate This Fkn Job by Monique Berkley Viktory (Proof) by Kimberly Wehr colour of love by Antwon Lindsey In The Zone by Robyn Paterson Run Little Boy by Dominick Bedasse Black Feminist by Zanah Thirus Ex-Offenders (1a) by Tanya Huston The Kleanser by Jared Leon Hope Song by Fred Sprinkle Black And Blue by Roshaun Page Girl DADS by Jay Wiggins |