BEST ANIMATED FILM
The War Torn Drum
In the late 1860’s, a U.S. Marshal bonds with a post Civil War drummer buy in their search to track down a wanted criminal.
Written, Directed, and Produced by: Derek A Ham
BEST ART FILM
From The White Walls
“From the white walls” is a narrative examination of the history of the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles in the Central Region of Ghana; what they have signified in the past, and what they now signify. This piece draws on notions from Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic philosophy described in “Time and Narrativity,” Orlando Patterson’s “Slavery and Social Death,” Frank B. Wilderson’s “Afro-pessimism,” and George Simmel’s “Bridge and Door.”
Writer | Director: Andrew Nii Okai Okai
BEST BLACK WOMEN IN FILM
DEAR JOSPEHINE
Josephine Baker was a global icon known for her iconic banana dance, but what many may not have known is how much Ms. Baker contributed to what we know today as classical ballet. The film is executive produced by Terra Renee, produced by Chef Ashbell and Terence Gordon.
Written & Directed by: Amber Monet | Key Cast: Terra Renee | Executive Producer: Terra Renee
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
THE FIGHT FOR BLACK LIVES
The Fight for Black Lives chronicles the ways that racial stress and the American healthcare system disadvantages the health of Black Americans. This health disparity is traced back to emancipation, which increased the Black mortality rate, in part, because formerly enslaved people had no access to formal health care even when they could pay. The film shows that there is nothing new about the disproportionate rate of Black mortality that was associated with the COVID-19 pandemic by showing that on almost all measures of health Black people in the United states live sicker and die younger.
These health disparities start at the very beginning of life and the most shocking aspect of this is that the likelihood that Black newborns will die relative to White newborns is higher today than it was in 1900. The film weaves together stories of women who were pregnant during the pandemic and Black Lives Matter uprisings, interviews with Black health experts, and historic
al records to show the many ways that Black women have had to fight for their life and the lives of their infants in the delivery room.
Written, Directed, and Produced by: Micere Keels | Narrator: Melanie Brezill | Associate Editors:
Jazz Echevarría, Danielle Thompson | Co-Producer: Cindy Martin | Editor:
Sharonda Harris-Marshall | Directors of Photography: Ian Crowder,
Curtis Boone | Animator: Liam Weir | Story Consultant: Honey Crawford, Tara Pixley | Camera Operators: Hannah Faris, Lily Qi, Vick Lee, Marqui Craig, Capri Kuliopulos, Vick Lee, Alex Terrill | Sound Mixers:
Rocio Santos, Franklyn Grant, Andre Wheaton | DIT: Nicholas Oski | Consulting Editor: Donnie Seales | Production Assistants:
Alexis Hester,
Hilary Naa-Afi Tackie,
Angel Boulware,
Maria Henderson,
Kamiran Waddell,
Jennelle Giordano,
Ty-Juan Stephen Greene,
Viola Henry,
Sophia Watkins
BEST FEATURE FILM
FREEDOM HAIR
Based on the inspiring, true story of Melony Armstrong, a mother who works at a shelter for battered women decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence for herself and others. To do so she must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.
Written & Directed by: Dianne Houston | Producer: Rob Pfaltzgraff, Lana Link, Stacey Parks | Key Cast: Simona Brown, Sophia Bush, Erica Tazel, Jeremie Harris, Sharon Conley
BEST HBCU FILM
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
On the eve of the 1913 inaugural Women’s Suffrage parade, the formidable activist Mary Church Terrell, along with two leaders of historic African American Sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta, confront and challenge parade organizer Alice Paul, regarding the racist, exclusionary practices of the white suffragette movement, in order for black suffragettes to participate in the parade.
Director: Shari Lynette Carpenter | Writer: Judy Tate | Executive Producer:
Ed Wheeler, Messeret Stroman Wheeler | Producer: Tia Dionne Hodge, Shari Lynette Carpenter | Key Cast: Messeret Stroman Wheeler, Celestine Rae, Montana Lampert Hoover, Noelle Ramsay
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
OLD RIGHTEOUS BLUES
A young man is forced to confront his limitations, face the ghosts of the past and rise above establishment constraints to unite a fractured community and realize his life-long dream of leading his town’s Christmas Choir Band (Kerskoor) to its former glory.
However, he is to pay the price for the path his father chose twenty years ago, which split the fabulous Old Righteous Blues Kerskoor in two and fractured the community. For the next twenty years, pitched street battles raged, loyalties were tested, families were divided, and the two rival bands marched defiantly under their own banner, each claiming ownership of the town’s Kerskoor, with devastating and violent consequences for the community.
Director: Muneera Sallies |
Writer: Carol Shore |
Producer: Dumi Gumbi, Catharina Weinek, Carol Shore |
Key Cast: Ayden Croy, Euodia Samson, Stefan Erasmus
BEST MADE IN THE CAROLINAS
FINDING INSPIRATION
Jamal is confronted by his past and has to make a life-altering decision.
Director: Andrew Smith | Writer: Andrew Smith, Jesse Glanz | Producer: Andrew Smith | Key Cast: Randy Watson, Andrew Smith
BEST SHORT FILM
MOSIAH
Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a Jamaican-born political activist and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), is on trial in New York in 1923. Following the leadership of J. Edger Hoover & the BOI (later, the FBI), the government has charged Garvey with mail fraud in connection with selling stocks for the Black Star Line – a shipping line designed to forge a link between North America and Africa.
Garvey sees the trial for what it is: an attempt to end the movement by way of character assassination. Realizing his counsel is not up to the task, Garvey fires him and resolves to defend himself. As the trial plays out, flashbacks show glimpses of Garvey’s life before the trial and his relationship with his wife Amy Jacques Garvey. This is the first-ever narrative film about his life.
Director: Jirard | Writer: Samuel Lee Fudge, Jirard | Producer: Alima Albari, Danielle ”Pockett” Brown | Key Cast: Samuel Lee Fudge, Brit Scales
BEST STUDENT FILM
NIECY
When young cook Robert goes into work on a seemingly regular day, he doesn’t realize that today is the day he will meet the love of his life for the very first time.
Written & Directed by: Shandaeya Caldwell | Producer: Alex Pont | Key Cast: Blessing Oluwole, Rama Orleans-Lindsay, Robert St. Valentine
BEST TV/WEBSERIES
HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS
In this participatory documentary, join Yuri and Rodney on a heartfelt mission as they, dressed as Santa’s helpers, traverse the diverse landscapes of every US state during the holidays. Their goal is to bring hope to families facing difficult circumstances, including those in animal shelters, homes with special needs, disabilities, and individuals battling life-threatening illnesses. From snow storms in remote landscapes to navigating the weathered side streets of major cities, these two men are committed to spreading holiday cheer by providing gifts and dedicating time to listen to the stories of those they encounter. Doors will open across America as Yuri and Rodney embark on a journey to bring hope during the holiday season.
Director: Yuri Williams, Nathan Cribari | Writer: Yuri Williams, Rodney Smith Jr. | Producer: Yuri Omar Shariff Williams, Rodney Smith Jr. | Key Cast: Yuri Williams, Rodney Smith Jr.
AUDIENCE AWARD
SURVIVING JOSEPHINE
This story is inspired by the people that created Nola Darling. Surviving Josephine is a story about the adverse effects of dealing with a woman that loves on her terms. This is a story about Nola’s toxic homegirl. This short film is funny, honest, and therapeutic. Josephine is a satire on love, sexual power, and healing.
Written & Directed by: Tari Rayshawn Ham | Producer: Tari Rayshawn Ham, Jovanna Rayshawn Ham | Key Cast: Adrain Washington
FESTIVAL CHOICE
