By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — The Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves Short Film Showcase and Virtual Film Festival, set to open with an in-person event at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles May 4, is an opportunity for emerging African-American female directors to showcase their skills and vision through film screenings.
“What we will see in this year’s festival is not anything new,” said John Forbes, festival director for the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center. “These ‘Sistas,’ have been doing this. They have been creating magic. The stories are fresh and thought provoking, they offer diverse perspectives and are sure to excite. This showcase will give them the platform they deserve.”
This year the popular annual affair, hosted by the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center is celebrating its 31st year. The festival will showcase 16 films out of 1,000 submissions that span a multitude of genres from thought-provoking drama to comedy and everything in between.
Due to the overwhelming number of submissions, the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center also will hold a virtual festival following the in-person showcase.
In addition to the short film showcase moderated this year by Princess Monique, an accomplished TV/film producer, director, writer and author, the event also features panels, speakers, discussions, as well as top emerging directors and filmmakers.
Past filmmakers and participants include Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Woman King,” “Love & Basketball”), Kasi Lemmons (“Harriet”, “Eve’s Bayou”), Lena Waite (“The Chi”), Millicent Shelton (“Black-ish”), Ava DuVernay (“Origin”, “Selma”), Dianne Houston (first Black female to be nominated for an Academy Award in the short film category), the Oscar-nominated Dee Rees (“Mudbound”), and more.
Actress and Grammy-nominated singer Ketty Lester, will be honored for her lifetime of work and legacy in celebration of her upcoming 90th birthday.
“Having toured around the world, and having experienced enough life to cover three lifetimes, Lester has not received the recognition she deserves,” said Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center. “BHERC is honored to be able to offer her just a fraction of that recognition and love, in celebration of her upcoming 90th birthday, as we continue to stand on her shoulders and walk through doors that she opened.”
I recently spoke to Evers-Manly about the upcoming film festival. Evers-Manly is the founder of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center, a nonprofit public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop and preserve the history and future of Black images in film and television.
Through film festivals, award ceremonies, book signings, script readings, contests, scholarships, other programs and special events, the center recognizes the contributions of Black and other diverse talent in front of and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry as well as provides scholarship and development and training.
DD: Who will benefit from this year’s proceeds?
SEM: Proceeds from this year’s Sistas and all proceeds from all of our programs benefit BHERC programs, such as our Youth Diversity Film Festival, providing scholarships, supporting our Operation Love program, which this year is hosting a Mother’s Day luncheon for isolated seniors, as well as allow us to support the mission of BHERC.
DD: This year your in-person celebration is May 4. Why is May 19-21 virtual?
SEM: I am proud that we have been able to grow BHERC, which includes BHERCTV, that provides a platform to show our films globally. In addition to the in-person event, we are proud to include a global component, which offers more films for people to see and enjoy.
DD: Why do you think this festival is so popular?
SEM: The level of talent that we have seen over the last 30 years continues to soar. The films, storytelling, writing and directing are exceptional. There is also a lot of diversity in these types of films and we are proud of what we see year after year. It keeps the audience coming back for more.
DD: What comes to mind when you think back over 31 years?
SEM: It is clear that the number of Black women directors is growing. The talent exists and we still need Hollywood to recognize more exceptional Black filmmakers.
DD: Why should people come to the celebration on May 4 and watch virtually later on in May?
SEM: It is my hope people will come and support the remarkable talent in front of and behind the scenes and that people will help us continue to grow this valuable and important program. The virtual festival allows filmmakers to participate globally and provides an opportunity for their work to be seen among a larger audience.
DD: How many of the submissions will you showcase? How do you decide?
SEM: We have a selection committee that is led by our Executive Director John Forbes. He and the committee make decisions on the films that will be showcased both in-person and virtually. Some of the criteria used by the film committee include storytelling, direction, acting, impact and more.
DD: Why are “shorts” so popular?
SEM: First and foremost, several of the shorts are from students who are in college, emerging filmmakers, and seasoned filmmakers who love the art form of film. Shorts allow filmmakers to create, convey and impact in a smaller window of time than a feature. There is a lot of diversity in what they develop. You can see very powerful work in such short periods.
DD: Talk about the panels and speakers this year. What can people expect?
SEM: This year people will get to hear firsthand from all filmmakers. These talented filmmakers will discuss their filmmaking process, completion, story selection and more. I am pleased to share that one of our BHERC alumna, Princess Monique, an incredible filmmaker (“BMF,” “Run The World”), will moderate. The audience will get to hear firsthand about her career. The proceeds benefit our many programs.
DD: What do female directors bring to films that men don’t? Why is the female perspective important?
SEM: You know, I think all our filmmakers are talented. They will show a range of topics and things that women face daily. There is rich storytelling and amazing directing. Sometimes the work may cover life challenges or celebratory things that make you laugh and think. The filmmakers shine through their work.
DD: Are you seeing a trend for this year’s films?
SEM: I am happy to see that filmmakers are not putting limits on themselves and their work. You are going to see a variety of genres such as sci-fi, documentary, drama and more.
DD: How many attendees were there last year and how many people are you expecting this year?
SEM: Last year, over two days we had more than 1,200 people. This year, because we are only doing a four-hour showcase for one day, we are hoping to get about 500 attendees with another 2,500-3,000 watching online, if not more.
Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves Short Film Showcase, opening celebration and reception will be from 4 to 7 p.m. May 4 at the Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Admission is $40, $30 for seniors and students. For general and festival information, call 310-284-3170, email John Forbes at john@bherc.orgorvisit the website www.BHERC.org.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
