San Francisco Black Film Festival
P.O. Box 15490
San Francisco, CA 94115
San Francisco Black Film Festival XIX Fact Sheet
The San Francisco Black Film Festival XVIII will be held at various venues in San Francisco, June 15-18, 2017. The family-friendly priced tickets will be sale June 6, 2017. They can be found at the festival website: www.sfbff.org. The San Francisco Black Film Festival is open to everyone. It’s an opportunity for all multicultural Bay Area residents and visitors to San Francisco see the worldwide African Diaspora from an affirming perspective. The San Francisco Film Festival films and venues can be found at www.sfbff.org. Family friendly priced tickets are $10-$50 (All Acess Festival Pass).
Venues to date include: The Fillmore Heritage Center, The African American Arts and Cultural Complex, DeYoung Museum, SPUR, The Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel, The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, and The Potrero Stage. The San Francisco Black Film Festival venues give its audience a “Tour of San Francisco.”
MEDIA BRIEFING & VIP RECEPTION AND SNEAK PREVIEW FILM SCREENING June 14 Featuring “Mariannes Noires” by Mame-Fatou Niang and Kaytie Nielsen
A media briefing will be held to discuss the overall film festival and will be followed by a VIP Reception and Film Screening sponsored by Maison Noire Américaine founded by Robin Bates and Constance Bryan. Writer/Director Mame-Fatou Niang will be in attendance. “Mariannes Noires” examines the issue of racial identity in France. Recent violence and growing nationalism in France have brought fierce debates about the country’s identity to the forefront. In “Mariannes Noires”, seven different French-born women of African descent confront their own unique identities and challenge the expectations of French society. The San Francisco Black Film Festival will send out a media advisory outlining the evening that will include the screening of the film.
Veterans & Father’s Day Salute Sunday June 18
“Love Separated in Life…Love Reunited in Honor” will be featured among short military themed documentaries. San Francisco Black Film Festival’s own, Jackie Wright, who has helped with publicity, media relations and program development since 2011 has her first foray into filmmaking with a film that will anchor an event honoring veterans and fathers. Wright, who has been instrumental in garnering such films as Mario Van Peeble’s, “Black, White, & Blues,” Robert Townsend’s “In The Hive” and Hollywood Producer Randell Emmett’s work that has included celebrities such as rapper “50 Cent,” Lynn Whitfield, Ray Liotta, and others, has written and directed “Love Separated In Life…Love Reunited in Honor.” The fifteen minute documentary co-directed and edited by Jack LiVolsi tells the story of her father’s death March 9, 1964 as an honor guard for Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara before the excalation of the Vietnam War. His orders to serve were initiated under Commander and Chief President John F. Kennedy. A journey of revelations including a trip to Vietname unfold after the Wright Family exhume Sp5 Wyley Wright Jr. from a segregated grave and rebury him at Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife, Ouida F. Wright, who died March 9, 1970, six years after her husband on the same month and day of his death.
SFBFF Films Include (partial list):
“Sankofa…Connecting the Dots”-Damon Jamal (director/photographer)-40 minutes- is a documentary based on a historic California Trade Mission to Durban, South Africa, during the inaugural Essence Magazine & City of Durban’s “Essence Durban Festival” in November 2016. Jamal, an LA based filmmaker, recognized by the San Francisco 7 Day Film Festival as “Best Directors” whose work has included a plethora of music videos including R& B and hip hop artists such as E-40, Tyga, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, French Montana and many others, uses his camera to express the close to the heart experience he and others had during the trade mission that was not only about economic empowerment but matters of the heart as well. From business concepts to the arts to the pulse on the street, “Sankofa…Connecting the Dots” lives up its name. Following the screening of the film at SPUR, an organization dedicated to “Ideas and Action For a Better City,” there will be a panel discussion “Doing Business in Africa for Commerce and Healing.” Panelist to date will include Damon Jamal, San Franciscan Roland Washington, producer of the film and sponsor of the California Trade Mission to Durban, South Africa, and Florida A&M Professor Brian Sims, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, who has led several student and faculty trips to Africa.
A Path to Excellence-by Carl Borack (24m)- Olympians paying it forward teaching inner city kids fencing to elevate their goals in life, in sport, in academia, in life.
Taking Israel- (55m, Israel, U S A) dir. by Vincent Singleton- This documentary chronicles the experiences of over 200 African American students in Israel over a fifteen-year period.
Presented by Spike Lee, two Brooklyn teenage prodigies, C.J. Walker and Sebastian Thomas – determined to outwit fate and role-play as God – build makeshift time machines to save CJ’s brother, Calvin, from being wrongfully killed by a police officer.
KOJO: A Short Documentary (youth 12, 14min) by Michael Fequiere- KOJO is a short documentary on gifted twelve-year-old jazz drummer Kojo Odu Roney. In this candid interview, Kojo reflects on his tireless work ethic, the current state of Jazz music, learning from his mentor and father, Jazz saxophonist Antoine Roney and much more. Kojo’s charisma, sensibility, and passion are as mesmerizing as his drum skills and for the first time in this documentary he shares it with you.
95 Never Looked So Good (9m, U S A) directed by Tymm Holloway
This Documentary short highlights Simeon Holloway accomplishments from early beginnings to the prominent historical record of his involvement in the elite first all Black US B-1 Navy Band.
Rolling In the Deep-(12:00) directed by Marcellus Cox –Inspired by true events about an African American World War II Veteran who travels back home to South Carolina looking to achieve a goal for his late Father by having a meal at a locally famous Whites Only diner.
Color Blues (short, 8min) – by David Hebrero-1955. A writer meets his most famous creation for some unexpected news: change her from Black to White
The Lucky Specials (feature, 111min) by Regan Alsup –The Lucky Specials are a small-time cover band in a dusty mining town in southern Africa. Mandla (Oros Mampofu) works as a miner by day, but is passionate about playing guitar and dreams of making it big in the music industry. When tragedy strikes, Mandla, his friend (Sivenathi Mabuya) and the band must find the strength to make their dreams reality. “The Lucky Specials” is slated to entertain millions while also helping to shape attitudes and inform behaviors around tuberculosis.
Mariner (short, 21min) by Thyrone Tommy– A young, marine navigation student, suffers intense anxiety during his final exams, when an incident from his past returns to both haunt and help him.
Lawman (student, 14min) by Kahlilah Robinson –1875, Indian Territory. Bass Reeves is the first African-American to be deputized by the U.S. Marshal service. His wife, Nellie Jennie Reeves, tries to persuade Bass not to leave for his own safety, but Bass argues that it’s the best job he can get to keep a roof over his family’s head.
“Blaxploitalian” – 100 Years of Blackness in Italian Cinema (Doc, 60min) by Fred Kuwornu-“Blaxploitalian” is a diasporic, hybrid, critical, and cosmopolitan dimension documentary that uncovers the careers of a population of entertainers seldom heard from before: Black actors in Italian cinema. BlaxploItalian cleverly discloses the personal struggles classic Afro-Italian and African diasporic actors faced, correlating it with the contemporary actors who work diligently to find respectable and significant roles. More than an unveiling of history, it is a call-to-action for increased diversity and esteem in international cinema. “You’ve been absent from your own imagination since you were born.”
White Face (short, 21min) by Mtume Gant-New York Actor Charles Rogers hates his skin and all that hardship that comes with it. Feeling trapped by his race, Charles believes he has found the solution to his problems – change his appearance to embody ‘Whiteness’ – erase all that he has ever been and join the group he’s believes he should be a part of. But is this ever possible?
Last Stop (short, 25min) by Prentice Dupins –Last Stop is the story of Benjamin Wilson, a young African American male and his struggle to go on living. A veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Benjamin has given up on life and his family. He seeks solace in the family cemetery as he gathers the courage to end his life. As he pours out his despair and a bottle of whiskey in tribute to friends and beloved family members, Benjamin finds himself inexplicably transported back to 1860. He now must fight to survive the night as a runaway slave.
My Dad is My Hero Contest
The San Francisco Black Film Festival includes “My Dad Is My Hero Contest.” Entries from people of all ages with an essay (500-words or less) or two minutes or less video will be accepted through June 17. Entries should be sent to the San Francisco Film Festival P.O. Box 15490, San Francisco, CA 94115 or emailed to info@sfbff.org. For more details visit www.sfbff.org. Top prize for Dad is a two-day weekend stay at one of San Francisco’s top hotels.
The San Franciso Black Film Festival sponsors to date include: Comcast, California Arts Council, San Francisco Arts Commission, PG&E, Film Bread, Rainbow Grocery, Comerica Bank, DeYoung Museum, SPUR, African American Arts and Culture Center, Marines’ Memorial Association, Dolby Laboratories, P. Harrell Wines, Fillmore Jazz Festival, Westin St. Francis Hotel, Dolby Laboratories, National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations, OneVet OneVoice, San Francisco Veterans Film Festival, Maison Noire Américaine, The San Francisco Bay View Newspaper, Block Report Radio, KPOO Radio, LaHitz Media, The Village Project, Shelly Tatum Presents, Ink Tip, San Francisco Juneteenth, and Wright Enterprises. Increase your company or organization’s social responsibility capital by sponsoring a day, a film, reception, contest or panel. Contact the San Francisco Black Film Festival at sfbff@sfbff.org for sponsorship opportunities.
For more information about the San Francisco Black Film Festival visit www.sfbff.org.
About San Francisco Black Film Festival
Ave Montague (1945-2009), arts impresario, fashion industry executive, publicist, founded the San Francisco Black Film Festival in 1998. Montague created the San Francisco Black Film Festival, a 501c3 nonprofit, with the artistic vision to provide a platform for Black filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors to present their art. As a competitive film festival, SFBFF identifies filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors that are emerging as talents and established artists who are contributing to the cinematic legacy of African Americans. SFBFF conscientiously expands the notions of “Black film-making” to a global perspective. The organization is multicultural and inclusive of all in the expression of the African Diaspora experience. The San Francisco Black Film Festival has screened more than 10,000 films from around the world. Kali O’Ray (son of Ave Montague) and his wife Katera Crossley, both formerly of Atlanta, Georgia are co-directors of The San Francisco Black Film Festival.
The Mission of the San Francisco Black Film Festival is to celebrate African American cinema and the African Cultural Diaspora and to showcase a diverse collection of films – from emerging and established filmmakers. This is accomplished by presenting Black films, which reinforce positive images and dispel negative stereotypes, and providing film artists from the Bay Area in particular and around the world in general, a forum for their work to be viewed and discussed. The San Francisco Black Film Festival believes film can lead to a better understanding of and communication between, peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while simultaneously serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
SFBFF @SF STATE UNIVERSITY 2016
http://www.wrightnow.biz/articles_view.asp?articleid=82246&columnid=2898
Comcast PSA's
https://wn.com/san_francisco_black_film_festival_xviii_psa_(_30)_courtesy_of_comcast
KPIX Interview with Mayor Willie Brown & Kevin Epps 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jDd9GUWhSU
SF Chronicle-SF BFF Not Just for One Race 2015
http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/SF-Black-Film-directors-keep-up-Montague-s-6309426.php
SF Black Film Festival Media Conference 2015-“America’s Still the Place”
http://www.wrightnow.biz/apps/articles/web/articleid/81567/columnid//default.asp
SF Black Film Festival 2014 at Dolby Laboratories- Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. & Dennis Haysbert
in “Life of a King”
https://www.prlog.org/12333880
NFL’s DeSean Jackson's Film/SF Black Film Festival 2013 Media Briefing at Dolby Laboratories
https://www.prlog.org/12154613
Boxing Champ Karim Mayfield & Hollywood Star Robert Townsend Bring Knockout & Star Power to SFBFF 2012
Mario Van Peebles Films at SF Black Film Festival 2011
http://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/strong-second-act/Content?oid=2181850
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Public Service Announcements
Air now through June 18, 2017
PSA 1
FROM FRANCE TO GERMANY TO VIETNAM TO AFRICA AND BACK, TRAVEL THE WORLD IN WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL! ENJOY FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE, JUNE 15-18. THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL IS A MULTICULTURAL EVENT WITH SCREENING VENUES THAT WILL GIVE YOU A TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO. VISIT S-F-B-F-F.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR YOUR FAMILY FRIENDLY TICKETS.
PSA 2
IT’S JUNETEENTH! IT’S FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND! IT’S THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, JUNE 15-18. WITH SCREENINGS AT THE FILLMORE HERITAGE CENTER, THE DEYOUNG MUSEUM, THE WAR MEMORIAL ARTS CENTER, SPUR, THE MARINES MEMORIAL HOTEL, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURE COMPLEX, THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL IS A MULTICULTURAL EVENT WITH VENUES THAT GIVE YOU A TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO AS YOU ENJOY FILMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. VISIT S-F-B-F-F.ORG FOR DETAILS.
PSA 3
THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, JUNE 15-18 SALUTES THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION & FATHER’S DAY WITH A SPECIAL VETERANS AND FATHER’S DAY SALUTE. SF-B-F-F IS CALLING YOUR NAME, BEST FRIEND. COME OUT AND ENJOY THOUGHT PROVOKING FILMS, PANELS, PARTIES AND MORE. ENJOY FILMS WITH YOUR DAD. ENTER “MY DAD IS MY HERO” CONTEST. COME OUT FOR THE SALUTE TO VETERANS AND FATHERS ON SUNDAY, JUNE 18TH. THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, JUNE 15-18…VISIT S-F-B-F-F.ORG FOR DETAILS!
PSA 4
TREAT YOUR DAD OR YOUR FAVORITE VETERAN TO A GREAT WEEKEND. BUY A PASS TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL JUNE 15-18. ALSO, FIND OUT ABOUT THE “MY DAD IS MY HERO” ESSAY AND VIDEO CONTEST. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL VETERANS AND FATHER’S DAY SALUTE. VISIT WWW.SFBFF.ORG. ENJOY FILMS, PANELS, AND PARTIES. ENJOY THE RED CARPET AND MORE AT THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL! FUN FOR EVERYONE! BE A B-F-F WITH S-F-B-F-F. VISIT. WWW.SFBFF.ORG.
PSA 5
THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL HONORS THE MILITARY ON SUNDAY JUNE 18TH WITH “A SALUTE TO VETERANS AND FATHERS” WITH FILMS LIKE “95 NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD, A LOOK AT THE ELITE FIRST ALL BLACK U.S. NAVY BAND; “LOVE SEPARATED IN LIFE…LOVE REUNITED IN HONOR” TAKES YOU FROM ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY TO VIETNAM; AND IN “ROLLING IN THE DEEP”, A WORLD WAR II VET RETURNS HOME TO SOUTH CAROLINA SEEKING EQUALITY. SEE ALL THE GREAT STORIES ON FILM AT W.W.W.S-F-B-F-F.ORG.
PSA 6
THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, JUNE 15-18TH OVER JUNETEENTH WEEKEND PROVIDES A GREAT TIME FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. IT’S ABOUT BUSINESS TOO! FIND OUT ABOUT DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA! SEE “SANKOFA…CONNECTING THE DOTS” BY DAMON JAMAL A DOCUMENTARY BASED ON A HISTORIC CALIFORNIA TRADE MISSION TO DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, DURING THE INAUGURAL ESSENCE “ESSENCE DURBAN FESTIVAL” HOSTED BY THE CITY OF DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA. “DOING BUSINESS IN AFRICA FOR COMMERCE AND HEALING,” IS A PANEL THAT FOLLOWS THE FILM WITH FLORIDA A&M PROFESSOR BRIAN SIMS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY. THE FILM AND PANEL WILL BE AT SPUR, WHICH PROMOTES IDEAS AND ACTION FOR A BETTER CITY. GET DETAILS AT WWW.SFBFF.ORG.