Official Selections: 9th LA Black Film Festivals
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film.
32
Short Film
West Coast Premiere/ Los Angeles Premiere
A woman realizes she's the same age as her father was when he passed from the same ailment, and she navigates the bittersweet emotions that come with this phase of life.
Director: Stewart Yost
Producer: Shakira Ja'nai Paye
Writer: Shakira Ja'nai Paye
Cast: Gail Bean, Shakira Ja'nai Paye, Chris De La Cruz, Bobbie Lee Jr., Jerah Milligan, Morthyn Roc, Melvin Diggs, Amos James
Cinematographer: Jacob Ritley
Editor: Danny Reams
A TIME TO YELL: MORE THAN A STATUE
Documentary Feature
Running Time: 68 Mins
Los Angeles Premiere
We have all seen the violence and despicable rhetoric that came out of the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12th, 2017. But if you think you know how we got there and what happened that day, think again. “A Time to Yell: More Than a Statue” is the untold story from Charlottesville community members who experienced these monumental events first hand. Through the lens of Dr. Wes Bellamy and the community, we tell the story of what transpired in Charlottesville in 2017 exploring the history behind these racially motivated attacks and one of the most divisive conflicts in modern American history.
Directors: Eric W. Newman, Daniel B. Levin
Producers: Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins, Daryl Davis, Eric W. Newman, Daniel B. Levin, Angela Rye, Ian Swain, Charlotte Ducksworth, Marvin Arrington Jr, Ronnell Rock
Cast: Dr. Wes Bellamy, Kristin Szakos, Eze Amos, Will Jones, Courtney Commander
Cinematographer: Johnny St. Ours
Editor: Manuel Crosby
Website: atimetoyell.com
Instagram: @atimetoyell
Deadbeat
Dramatic Short
World Premiere
An absentee father shows up unannounced at his estranged son's door, hoping for a second chance to rebuild their broken relationship.
Director: Howard Campbell
Producer: Misha Zvagilskiy
Writer: Calvin Sawyer
Cast: Calvin Sawyer, L.A. Williams, Howard Campbell
Cinematographer: Artur Gubin
Editor: Misha Zvagilskiy, Howard Campbell
From God To Man
(Ma ŋaye ka Masaala a se ka Wɔmɛti)
Short Documentary
Los Angeles Premiere
What does ‘return’ mean? Filmmaker Lansana Mansaray goes back to his ancestral village in this first-ever documentary about the Limba people of Sierra Leone.
Director: Lansana Mansaray
Producers: Kavita Pillay, Adam Mazo, Tracy Rector, Taylor Hensel
Executive Producer: Tracy Rector
Cinematographer: Foday Musa Turay
Editor: Sauli Pillay
Website: reciprocity.org
Instagram: @reciprocityproj
Facebook: fb.com/ReciprocityProj
African Creative Class: Ghana
Web Series
World Premiere
"African Creative Class (ACC)" is a vibrant documentary series that dives deep into the wave of innovation and impact across Africa's creative landscape, from fashion to music. Hosted by Amarachi Nwosu, the series launches in Ghana, offering a visually stunning exploration of the continent's rising talents and the transformative cultural shifts shaping its creative future.
Director: Amarachi Nwosu
Executive Producer: Amarachi Nwosu
Producer(s): Vanessa Dos Santos, Innocent Adjei
Writer: Amarachi Nwosu
Cast: Jonathan ‘Joey Lit’ Coffie, David Nicol-Sey, Winifred ‘Shace’ Mensah, Sandy Alibo, Samuel ‘Shocker’ Addo, Moliy Montgomery, Michael ‘Incredible Zigi’ Amofa, Derick ‘Rvdical The Kid’ Fagbohoun, Anastasia Cobbinah
Cinematographer: Khalid Iddisah
Editor: Ryan Hampton, Amarachi Nwosu (Co-Editor)
Production Company: Melanin Unscripted
Supported by Africa No Filter
Website: melaninunscripted.com
Instagram: @melaninunscripted
Twitter(X): @MelaninUnscript
Black Metal
Short Film, Coming of Age - Drama
A black teen is determined to make it as a heavy metal artist in defiance of his father, a failed jazz musician.
Director: Michael Hyon Johnson
Producer: Mohannad Malas, Zade Akkad, Sami Sabai, Khaled
Sabawi
Writer: Michael Hyon Johnson
Cast: Thaddeus Newman, Darian Michael Garey, Darius Johnson, Hannah Kwon, Josh Loudermilk
Cinematographer: Brody S. Anderson
Editor: Kyle Kogan
Winner of the M Film Lab
Website: openscreenplay.com/news-page/open-screenplay-to-produce-m-film-lab-winner-black-metal
Instagram: @harabek
Go In Peace (Al Nan La Paix)
Short Narrative
Los Angeles Premiere
Evens, a young man as imperfect as he is endearing, accompanies his mother to the Haitian consulate in Paris. Feeling uneasy, he tries as best he can to shorten their visit while his mother is scheming behind his back.
Director: Jean Gaspa
Producer: Néticia Alberto (Alta Media Productions)
Writer: Jean Gaspa
Cast: Gradi Kumbi, Josette Guervil, Hyggins Sansa, Myah Cognet, Joy Uwa, Jean Fritz, Johanne Ernest, Natacha Pierre, Sandy Stessie Sinvilus, Rodrigue Pouvin
Cinematographer: Julien Lascar
Editor: Audrey Hurtis
Instagram: @jeangaspareal