It’s true what Anthony Mackie says “if we don’t tell our stories, we cannot expect someone to tell our stories for us”. He was referring to African Americans and the dearth of quality films that embody the richness of who we are.
“who are we and what are the stories we’re going to tell to represent ourselves?” Mackie

Anthony Mackie broke through on the wave of Hurt Locker’s Oscar win and is accepting roles in Indie films as well as the big Hollywood Blockbusters. On Travis Smiley recently he put out a call to action directed to filmmakers, famous actors and business people to come together to build contemporary black cinema, instead of concerning ourselves with what the New York Times called a “Hollywood Whiteout” since Denzel Washington and Halle Berry represented the new hope. Apparently there’s more chance of making a speech as President than on stage at the Oscars if you’re black. Rather than dwell on it, Anthony and others enjoying a taste of Hollywood are turning it around and making it known that we ourselves need to come with our A Game. Stop waiting for recognition and support our own endeavors. Just make some good films damn it!

In the clip at the bottom Anthony and Travis speak about people who have made it like Oprah, Tyler Perry, Spike Lee and Will Smith; despite the obstacles their success shows that our talent does shine when there are opportunities. So surely the next wave of talent is out there! Well here I am! An award winning filmmaker and there’s many more like me with a strong skill-set, pushing against a perceived notion that the black community doesn’t invest in itself to help grow its future of filmmaking. With public funding cuts to arts programmes priorities have changed, sad news but at the same time a great opportunity for us to invest in ourselves. Now is the time to show that willingness to nurture unapologetic contemporary black cinema that tell our stories.

Be part of Images of Black Women Film Festival

I am confident in this independent spirit and generosity existing within the community, and have put it to the test in this experiment of sorts, appealing to the kindness of anyone out there who is able to help support my participation in the Images of Black Women Film Festival this April 8-10th 2011. As host of this film festival, I need to get there and bring with me a top Director to discuss her film on my panel that will be discussing black women in film and the independent film movement.

“IBW is the only UK festival in celebration of the global black experience with a focus on women’s talent and representation. With the current economic climate, there is near to nothing available for Art & film and unfortunately it is ethnic minority cultural enterprises that suffer greatly.
This year IBW did not receive any funding at all, a direct result of the heavy funding cuts & more than ever we need your support to ensure the presence of black cultural life in the UK.” Sylviane Rano Co founder IBW Film Festival

The Images of Black Women Film Festival in it’s 7th year, is now cemented as one of the main cultural events in London’s cultural calendar. It shines light on films expressing the complexities and joys of Africa and the Diaspora bringing you films ordinarily you may not get an opportunity to see. Thank you for the contributions so far through my newsletter (which you can join at the top of this blog). You can donate now to the IBW Film Festival and help us reach our goal of making it of huge community benefit. It’s really quick and simple and any amount is appreciated.

Unapologetic Contemporary Black Cinema

Im excited to tell you that we’ve had our first donation of $100, and am thankful to the encouraging lift off. Thank you Atlanta WOCAF Festival for your support. If you would like to make a donation of this amount or more please get in touch with me. As an incentive we will offer you a sponsorship type package which includes:

PLEASE Get in touch
darklingproductions(at)gmail(dot)com Get involved and pass this on. I will let you know what the results are as they come in.

If you are in London please support the IBW film screening fundraiser the next one is an African Hair Celebration (Good Hair vs. My Nappy Roots):

My Nappy Roots - A Journey Through Black Hair-itage Documentary. Saturday 26 March,

more info and tickets here http://www.imagesofblackwomen.com/

Peace

darklingdami x