Information For Film Makers

The Content + Intent Documentary Institute, Working Films' Residency
at MASS MoCA (March 11-15, 2009, North Adams, MA) – During 5-day
institute held on campus of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary
Art, Working Films will guide select group of filmmakers as they
create outreach plans for their film projects. Working Films' staff,
together with invited experts in field of community engagement, will
cover topics such as identifying and reaching out to community allies;
developing support materials such as screening guides or activist
toolkits; fundraising for outreach and community engagement; creating
DVD extras as supplemental tools for social movements; and using
social networking and other online tools to increase the impact of
films. FEE: No fee to apply, but accepted filmmakers pay $500 to
attend; some scholarships available. Anna Lee, Project Coordinator,
Working Films, 602 South Fifth Ave., Wilmington, NC 28401, T: (910)
342-9000, FAX: (910) 342-9003, alee@workingfilms.org,
www.workingfilms.org. Deadline: January 28, 2009

Blue Sky Project Artist-in-Residence Program (Dayton, OH) – Offering
summer residencies with $7,000 stipend to creative professionals such
as visual artists, filmmakers, writers, dancers, musicians, and
theatre performers. Artists gather for 8 weeks from mid-June to
mid-August at the University of Dayton, 2 miles from downtown Dayton.
Monday through Thursday, hours from 10:00-3:30 are devoted to
intensive collaborations between individual artist and small group of
6-8 local teen participants, culminating in final exhibition.
Artists-in-Residence invent remaining structure, working together or
individually on projects. Artists responsible for own transportation
and meals; housing provided. Proposed project must have an open-ended
structure and must be achievable in 8 weeks within a $1,000 budget
(excluding final exhibition expenses) and must engage others in its
articulation and production. Blue Sky Project, P.O. Box 10506, Dayton,
OH 45402-7506, T: (847) 287-6702, peter@blueskydayton.org,
www.blueskydayton.org. Deadline: January 31, 2009

U.S.–Japan Creative Artists' Program – Five-month residencies in Japan
for individual professional creative artists in any discipline,
awarded by Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC). Artist receives
monthly stipends in yen to cover costs of living and working in Japan,
plus up to $6,000 to cover round-trip transportation for artist,
domestic partner, and/or unmarried children (up to age 18); a
baggage/storage allowance; and any pre-departure Japanese language
study in the U.S. Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident;
preference given to applicants for whom this will be first-time
opportunity for in-depth creative work in Japan. Playwrights and
librettists must have had full-length work professionally produced
and/or published in U.S. at least once in last 5 years. Notification
in June; residency may begin any time between January 1 – December 31,
2010. NO FEE. Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, 1201 15th St. NW,
Suite 330, Washington, DC 20005, T: (202) 653-9800, FAX: (202)
653-9802, jusfc@jusfc.gov, www.jusfc.gov/creativeartists.asp.
Deadline: February 1, 2009

Rockefeller Foundation Individual Creative Artist Residencies at
Bellagio Center (Bellagio, Italy) – These much sought after
residencies for composers, novelists, playwrights, poets,
video/filmmakers, and visual artists provide time for disciplined
work, individual reflection, and collegial engagement, uninterrupted
by the usual professional and personal demands. The Center typically
offers two-week to one-month stays for no more than 3-5 creative
artists at a time. Artists of significant achievement, from any
country, are welcome to apply. Work must be intended to result in
publication, exhibition, performance, or other concrete product. Full
room and board provided; assistance with travel expenses available on
needs basis. Spouse/life partner may accompany the resident, or may
apply for concurrent residency. Individuals from developing countries
and young artists with significant accomplishments - exhibitions,
publications, performances - are particularly encouraged to apply. NO
FEE. The Rockefeller Foundation, 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018,
T: (212) 984-5537, FAX: (212) 764-3468, Bellagio_res@iie.org,
http://www.rockfound.org/bellagio/bel_arts.shtml. Deadline: February
11, 2009 (for residencies between mid-August through November 26,
2009)

New Day Films, a distribution cooperative for social-issue media,
invites membership applications from independent film and video makers
with titles for non-theatrical distribution. New Day, which actively
encourages diversity in their membership and within the content of the
media they distribute, sells their films to educational organizations
nationwide, including high schools, colleges, universities, and
libraries. To find out more, visit
http://www.newday.com/about/recruitment.html?-session=nd:60E7BD8B1aee40D4AEqPv3A21118&-session=ndp:60E7BD8B1

aee40D4AEtKu3A21122.

Rock Creek Productions, Inc. is holding an open call competition for
short screenplay submissions.

Rock Creek will choose one screenplay and will produce, shoot, and
post the short film in 2009. This is an exciting opportunity for
writers who are looking for a chance to make their script a reality!
The writer will retain writer's credit and may have limited input into
the creative process. The selected screenplay will be optioned for a
period of two years.

The open call will end on February 20th 2009.

Screenplay qualifications:

Must be 8-20 pages long
Must have little to no special effects
Must be a character driven narrative
Must be in proper screenplay format


Please send an electronic version, in .pdf format, of your screenplay
to Rachell@rock-creek.com no later then February 20th 2009.

Please include with your screenplay:

resume (regardless of whether it is film/production related or not)
phone number
email address
mailing address

**Women of Color Arts and Film Festival** (March 20-22, 2009, Atlanta,
GA) - A festival of films and videos from across the globe by and
about women of color. Categories: Documentary, Narrative, Animation,
Experimental, Student. Works must have been completed after January 1,
2006. FEE: $20-$40. Women of Color Arts and Film Festival, 1124 Wylie
St., Unit A303, Atlanta, GA 30316, wocaf@iyalodeproductions.com,
www.iyalodeproductions.com. Deadline: January 23, 2009 (regular),
February 6, 2009 (late), February 20, 2009 (later

Langston Hughes International African American Film Festival (Seattle,
WA) – For emerging and established filmmakers. Filmmakers do not have
to be Black, but films should include a significant amount of content
involving people of African descent. Genres/subject areas: narrative,
documentary, children's, youth-made, shorts, LGBT, animation,
experimental. $50 honorarium. FEE: $25. LFAAFF, Langston Hughes
Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98144, T: (206)
326-1088, FAX: (206) 326-1088, entry@langstonblackfilmfest.org,
www.langstonarts.org. Deadline: January 16, 2009

Hollywood Black Film Festival (June 2-8, 2009, Hollywood, CA) – This
annual celebration of black cinema welcomes submissions from all
filmmakers but to be eligible for the competitive program one of the
creative principals – writer, director, or producer – must be black or
of African heritage. Categories: Narrative Feature, Short, Student,
Documentary, Animation, Music Video, and Storyteller (script
competition). Films must have been completed after September 1, 2007
and must be a U.S. premiere; may originate anywhere in the world;
distribution OK. NOTE: Excerpts from winning scripts in Storyteller
Competition receive live staged reading at Festival. FEE: $50-$75.
Jacqueline Blaylock, Director of Programming, Hollywood Black Film
Festival, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2057, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, T:
(310) 407-3596, FAX: (310) 943-2326, info@hbff.org, www.hbff.org.
Deadline: January 16, 2009 (early), February 13, 2009 (late), February
20, 2009 (extended, via Withoutabox.com)

Thoughts On A Black Man Becoming President of The USA

As Obama's inauguration draws near and it all begins to sink in, one really must ask the question, how far America has come when it comes to the topic of race and race relations? The answer you get depends on who you ask. For the younger generation it is very believable that Obama is the president elect, for the older generation it is unbelievable.

The whole thing is more like a dream though we all know it is reality. Since we are all products of our environment people see it differently. In the African American community, different generations have different views. The older generation who went through so many negative experiences caused by racism, feel a certain way and it is understandable that they feel the way they do. The younger generation didn't go through what the older generation did, so it is understandable that they feel the way they do too. Many times, the older generation sees the younger as people who don't take advantage of opportunities their generation fought so hard for but could only dream about. The younger generation who didn't fight for it don't see what the big deal is because America of today is what they've always known and that is their reality.

I can't speak for any other communities in America however, I believe it is always good to try something new, including a new type of president to reflect the people being governed. Hopefully, a Latino president will be a reality in time too. As a matter of fact it would be nice if the presidency and other high profile leadership positions could be rotated among people with excellent leadership skills from each continent represented in the USA. LOL, I already know that could never happen. Anyway, reality is, change is here and going nowhere. A sign of the times? Absolutely. It also reinforces the saying that the only thing that's constant is change.

The article written by George Wallace's daughter, Peggy Wallace Kennedy is a must read. It makes one really think about how things have changed and yet some things stay the same, at least in some people's minds anyway...

The article is available via the link below.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/wallace.kennedy.obama/index.html

Enjoy!

West Africa’s Next Top Model

Are you a model in the making? If you are this is for you. The show, West Africa’s Next Top Model scheduled to begin production in Africa in March 2009 is scouting for models in London and New York City. Scouting for London will be on Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at The Amadeus, 50 Shirland Rd Little Venice London W9 2JA from 8am to3pm. Scouting for New York City will be on Jan 24, 2009 at the 28th Street Studio, 34 W. 28 Street NY, NY 10001- 5th Floor from 9a to 5p. Applicants must be of West African heritage to qualify.

The show will be produced by StatsMedia Group, an international production company owned by Tope Esan and Martin Fayomi. StatsMedia is the only company granted the exclusive rights from CBS Paramount International Television to produce this reality show in Africa.

With the initial start up being in West Africa, the format will be produced every season by region on the African continent with. True Love West Africa is the media partner and official magazine for West African’s Next Top Model. The winner will receive a lucrative international modeling contract, a cover of True Love magazine and numerous endorsement deals from various companies in the fashion industry nationally and internationally.

This version of Next Top Model will not only highlight the models of West African decent but the continent of Africa for its tourist attractions, cultures, values and its booming 21st century economy.

Contact Details

For more information about Sponsorship & Advertising on West African’s Next Top Model, please contact Executive Producer Tope Esan e-mail tope@wafntm.com. For all other inquiries on the show please contact ICY Public Relations at 305.940.0067 and Bola Atta (Bolaatta@gmail.com)

If You Want What You've Never Had.......

You have to do what you have never done. It's a new year and a new you. You want make things happen this year and it will happen if only you make it. I started off this year with a bang and I can't believe this is the 6th already.

This goes to show that this year will be fast moving one. This is not the year to take life as it comes, we must grab it by the horns.

I hope all my hard working sisters out there have started it with a big bang, charging forward to accomplish all dreams and desires.

However, if some of us have not, well all is not lost. There is still plenty of time to fall off the wagon and get back on. As long as we keep moving forward we will be just fine.

Remember that success is a journey not a destination, so enjoy the 2009 part of your life’s journey.

Have a great year everyone!

Little Ethiopia Restaurant

Little Ethiopia Restaurant

Little Ethiopia Restaurant is a hidden dining treasure in DC. Located at 1924 9th Street, Washington D.C., DC 20001, this Ethiopian cuisine restaurant is wonderful. The service is excellent, the environment is beautiful and the value is unbeatable. Below see the rave reviews they received from the Washington Post & Washington City Paper.

 

What more could you ask for? Have a feel of Ethiopia while eating great Ethiopian food by visiting Little Ethiopia Restaurant.

Call them at (202) 319-1924 ‎or visit their website at http://www.littleethiopiarestaurantdc.com/

Below are pictures of the restaurant.

 

  

 

Guests Being Served

 

 

The Cure For Poverty

If your greatest fear is being poor,

know that hard work is the cure for poverty.

IT IS 2009!!

I hope everyone had a great time ushering in 2009. We should all be happy to be alive to witness what God has in store for us, however we must aggresively pursue our desires.

I began preparing for 2009 late in 2008. After looking back at what I had not accomplished, I knew I had to start early to get things done.

I'm happy to say that things are already looking good for 2009. I do know that I have to keep this momentum up and create a workable plan to get things done and I'm working on that.

To all my readers, please join me in making 2009 our best year ever by pursuing our desires, being mindful not to slack off and keeping our faith levels high!