Official Selections: 10th LA Black Film Festival
Congratulations to our accepted filmmakers!
Films are listed in alphabetical order, index to the left.
Scroll Down to learn more about each film.
Halfway There
Short
World Premiere
Two half siblings, Chris & Jamie, meet for the first time. Both adults now, they must determine if blood is really thicker than water and if a connection can be found in the aftermath of their isolated childhoods.
Director: Chelsea M. Davis & Laynie Mitchell
Producer: Chelsea M. Davis & Laynie Mitchell
Writer: Chelsea M. Davis
Cast: David Carzell, Chelsea M. Davis, Weiyi Zhang
Cinematographer: Tayo Osikomaiya
Editor: Travis Maxwell
The catalyst for this project was my own sense of restlessness with my work. I've been lucky to have some level of success in my acting career, but still feel like I haven't been given the freedom to express myself creatively and personally. I was itching to challenge myself and say something that I hadn't really said out loud before. So, I forced myself to make it happen. I wanted to be able to self fund the project and hand pick the team. I also wanted to make sure I started to build relationships with other young, black creatives and artists. We're all at the beginning of our careers and there's something magical and visceral about this moment in time. Eventually, I pulled this specific story out of a small, fleeting chapter of my own life. Yes, this is somewhat autobiographical. However, it's more of a reimagining of what could have happened. An example of one of the many possibilities I was too afraid to explore in real life. Next best thing? Make a short film.
Last Call
Short
Los Angeles Premiere
Blair and Harper serendipitously meet at a New York City bar after being stood up by their respective parties. Their chance encounter leads them to commiserate over their misfortunes. As the night progresses, an unexpected spark ignites between the two strangers, but do they have what it takes to make the spark last…?
Director: Kedren Spencer
Producer: KSRH Productions
Writer: Kedren Spencer, Rebecca L. Hargrove
Cast: Rebecca L. Hargrove, Zarrette J. Rogers, Bryce M. Wood, Freddie Fulton, Lawrence James, Kedren Spencer, and Tamara Jade.
Cinematographers: Gerard Pickett and Khalil Henley
Editor: Maddison Whitfield and Thomas J. Cooksey
2023 New Faces, New Voice Audience Choice Award Winner. 2023 The Artist's Forum Festival of the Moving Image Audience Choice Award, Best Actress, and Best Original Score Winner. 2024 Atlanta Women in Comedy Festival Best Romantic Comedy Winner.
Website: https://www.ksrhproductions.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksrhproductions
Man Down
Short
After the racially charged shooting of an unarmed teenager, an officer of color must decide whether to stand on the side of the law or seek justice for his community.
Director: Jonathan Rowan
Producer: Jonathan Rowan, Myava Mitchell, Mary Minor, Kirk D. Marshall
Writer: Jonathan Rowan
Cast: Jason Mimms, Joey Coverson, Auriel Branson, Saffran Harris, Lauren McGrath, Rachel Burke, Sarah Parlow, Ken Gregory, Cameron Dymally, C.J. Lindsey, Elle Verneé
Cinematographer: Yancey Wells
Editor: Simon Moore
Best Student Film – AfroComicCon International Film Festival, Audience Afro Pick - AfroComicCon International Film Festival, Best Student Film – Charlotte Black Film Festival, Best Student Film – Urban Mediamakers Festival; Best College Short – Denton Black Film Festival, Best Short Film – California Indies, Best Short Film – Santa Monica Shorts, Best Student Film - Bill Johnson Black Film Festival
Instagram: instagram.com/supastarproductionz
Facebook: Facebook.com/supastarproductionz