Here is some recent news about my #creative connections.
Please check out these projects and follow the creatives behind them. Congrats to everyone on their accomplishments!
Kim Akia’s film, “ALIENated”, is an Official Selection at the Audience Awards Film Festival.
Three extraneous women devise a plan to get rid of their neighbor after she confronts them about the whereabouts of her sister. – From “ALIENated” IMDb page
If your are in the NYC area on June 2, you have TWO opportunities to see Gillian Scott-Ward’s film, “Back to Natural”!! The People’s Film Festival (at the Maysles Cinema, 343 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10027) and at The Women of African Descent Film Festival (at the Billie Holiday Theatre at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216)
Back to Natural is a 69-minute documentary film that reveals the shocking truth about hair, politics, and racial identity in Black communities and beyond. Directed by New York City based Clinical Psychologist Gillian Scott-Ward, the film was inspired by the work she was doing in her clinical practice and her own drive to go natural. Executive produced by Marquis Smalls and produced by Dominic Ward, Back to Natural is a powerful call for healing that takes a grassroots approach to exploring the globalized policing of natural Black hair. Filmed in New York City, Philadelphia, Paris, And Cape Town, this documentary explores universal aspects of the Black experience and the “New” Natural Hair movement. Join us on this journey of discovery and enlightenment while celebrating our history and natural styles that are taking the world by storm. – From “Back to Natural” website
Sharrie Mccain’s film “Sequential Act”, received Honorable Mention, Ensemble, at the Oniros Film Awards.
Javior is racing through the clock to find his sister Corrine after she goes missing. – From “Sequential Act” IMDb page
Akiba Robinson is in the web series “Strategy~The Battle in Your Mind”, by Wise Men Productions. View the pilot episode here .
If you are in the NYC area on June 25, note that the Port Jefferson Documentary Series will have as special guest speaker co-director Julie Cohen, at the special summer screening of “RBG”, about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
At the age of 85, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior’s rise to the nation’s highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans – until now. In RBG, through intimate interviews and unprecedented access to Ginsburg’s life outside the court, directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West tell the electric story of Ginsburg’s consuming love affairs with both the Constitution and her beloved husband Marty—and of a life’s work that led her to become a defender of justice in the highest court in the land. – From Port Jefferson Documentary Series website
If you are in the NYC area in September or October, please note: “You Wouldn’t Expect” , by Marilynn Barner Anselmi, is a two act play that focuses on the stories of six females, whose lives were impacted by the practices of the North Carolina Eugenics Office. This play is being put on by the American Bard Theater Company. Please consider backing this project (I am a backer!). My colleague Okema T. Moore performs in the play.
The sterilization of “unfit” people was legally practiced in the United States from the early 1900s until the late 1970s. Who knew? We didn’t. This play, based on a little known, ugly chapter of US history, has sparked our desire to highlight, through theater, the damaging outcomes of racism, genetic elitism, and abuse of power. – From “You Wouldn’t Expect” Kickstarter page
“Echoes in Silence” by Viktoria-Isabella King, is a universal story about self-acceptance, healing & sisterhood. Please consider funding this project (I am a funder!): Seed & Spark campaign. My colleague Danielle Earle is a producer.
Six women who are a manifestation of one woman embark on a journey of truth & discovery of selves whilst formulating a sisterhood along the way. This is a story about Construction over Destruction. – From Echoes in Silence Facebook page
If you are in the NYC area on June 18, please see singer/songwriter Esnavi perform live, at the W New York – Times Square. Obtain free tickets here. And while you are at it, please purchase her music!!
Watch Jermaine Smith’s short film, “What We Tolerate”
“What We Tolerate” is a short film written by Jermaine Smith geared to open up and create dialogue on the various effects of domestic violence. The conversation between the female character Lorraine (played by Bernadette Allen) and the male character Grant (Suga Ray) touches on the acts of violence to her, the acts of violence witnessed by her child and the reluctancy to protect herself and the child, to the hesitancy to report such acts committed. – From “What We Tolerate” Vimeo page.
The film “Serial Killer in Harlem”, by Wesley Mills is currently in production. My colleague Danielle Earle is an executive producer/producer.
After losing his apartment in Harlem to gentrification, a black serial killer preys on white tenants. – From “Serial Killer in Harlem” Facebook page
Danielle Earle was recently the SmartGlamour Woman of the Week.
Jay Palmieri’s award-winning supernatural thriller, “Léa” had its big-screen New York City debut earlier this month at the Anthology Film Archives theatre.
A young mail-order-bride from France recently loses her American husband to a incurable illness. Finally rid of the man she felt nothing for she starts to enjoy her new found freedom but there is a menacing presence lurking around to make sure she meets the same grisly fate. – From Léa IMDb page
Prakash Saikia’s new music directional song “Dorodi” by Akash Nilim, is going to be released soon.
“Toll Booth” is a web series by Derek Lewis Gray. The “Toll Booth” Season 1 finale is a Bronze Winner of Best Cinematography for a Web Series at the Telly Awards. My colleagues Kimia’ Workman and Honour Drew are in the cast. View the season 1 finale here. View the entire season on The ON Channel.
Alan’s corner:
I started working on-set on the film “The Laser Effect” by Tashaun Stanfill-Perry of Sir Brael Entertainment. I am an associate producer on “The Laser Effect”.
Ty Laser is a high school star athlete who goes thru astronomical turmoil in order to reach his goal of becoming a professional. – From “The Laser Effect” IMDb page.
I will be working with the creator/host of a local public access TV show. I will be in charge of social media. More details forthcoming.
I continue to Support Our #creatives by funding, maintaining relationships with long-time colleagues and production companies, establishing new relationships with content creators, and continually look for new opportunities to work on-set.
Please provide your thoughts and questions in the comments. I would really enjoy hearing from you. If you have a topic in mind you would like me to cover, please let me know.
Originally published May 28, 2018. Updated June 1, 2018 to remove extraneous text. Updated August 19, 2020 to adjust category assignments.
Support Our #creatives® 
Very useful, will definitely check out the websites mentioned
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