Dara Frazier
By Marie Y. Lemelle
Contributing Writer CULVER CITY —Dara Frazier’s journey as a filmmaker is as heartfelt as the stories she brings to life. This year, she unveils her latest creation, “Jazzy Bells,” a holiday animated short premiering at the 33rd annual Pan African Film Festival. The film will screen at 4:25 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Culver Theater, 9500 Culver Blvd.
At its core, “Jazzy Bells” is a touching story about Otis Walker, a world-traveling jazz musician at a crossroads — caught between the music he loves and the family he has unintentionally distanced himself from. As Christmas approaches, Walker makes the painful decision not to return home, unaware that a celestial intervention is about to change his perspective.
Enter a wise and beautiful angel, a charming polar bear and a lively band of reindeer who set out on a mission to remind him of the season’s true spirit. Lending his iconic voice to Walker is veteran actor Hawthorne James, best known for “The Five Heartbeats” and “Speed.”
The ensemble cast includes Tasha Michaud, Jean Cecile Nadine, Je’maya Jackson, Adriohn Richardson, Devin Laster and Doris Anita Miller.
Frazier’s inspiration for “Jazzy Bells” came from an intensely personal place — the sudden passing of her mother due to a brain aneurysm.
“Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through,” Frazier said. “The first Christmas without her was especially difficult, not just for me, but for my young son. I needed an outlet to express that grief while still holding onto the joy that she brought into our lives.”
For Frazier, storytelling became both a healing process and a tribute.
“I grew up watching “A Charlie Brown Christmas” every year with my mom, and it always brought our family together,” she said. “One evening, as I watched it again, I found myself longing for a holiday tale that reflected the world I knew — one that embraced the rich culture, tradition, and resilience of the community I grew up in on Detroit’s west side. That’s when the idea for “Jazzy Bells” was born.”
Determined to bring her vision to life, Frazier put pen to paper, crafting a story that blends nostalgia, music and magic. She assembled a talented team of animators and artists to help breathe life into the world of “Jazzy Bells.”
“The magic really came together when Hawthorne James signed on,” she said. “His voice carries so much depth and emotion — it was like Otis was meant for him.”
James, known for his commanding presence on screen, brings an unmistakable gravitas to Otis Walker. “I’ve admired his work for years,” Frazier aid. “From “The Five Heartbeats” to “Se7en,” he has this ability to make every role unforgettable. When he speaks, there’s this weight to his voice — it pulls you in, makes you feel every word. That’s exactly what Otis needed.”
With “Jazzy Bells” set for its PAFF debut, Frazier hopes viewers walk away with a sense of warmth and reflection.
“This is a film about coming home — not just in the physical sense, but in the emotional and spiritual sense as well,” she said. “It’s about embracing the people who matter most and cherishing the moments we have with them.”
Marie Lemelle is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at m.lemelle@att.net.
