What’s happening in Wilmington, NC?
The 13th Annual North Carolina Black Film Festival
Film Aficionados have often heard of the Cannes,
Sundance and other prominent film festivals
that showcase up and coming filmmakers and
on-screen personalities; however many may not
be aware that March 13-16, 2014, Wilmington, NC
will be hosting the 13th Annual North Carolina
Black Film Festival. This annual four-day event,
organized and produced by The Black Arts Alliance, Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to the
advancement and nurturing of artists from various disciplines, including film, gives independent
African-American filmmakers another forum to
showcase their talent. This event is not just for
independent filmmakers trying to get additional
exposure; it is an anticipated event that brings the
entire community together.
Festival Goers can expect to be entertained as well
as enriched this year by events for aspiring filmmakers and the community at-large. Visiting filmmakers and university film students will be treated
to the Filmmaker’s Luncheon and Tours which will
feature a catered lunch and tours of the worldrenowned Screen Gems Studio and Wilmington
Camera. Screen Gems, which is located in Wilmington, is recognized for its production of “Iron
Man3”, “We’re the Millers”, CBS’s hit show, “Under
the Dome” as well as Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow”, just to
name a few. A highlight of the festival will definitely be the opening night “Cinemixer”, which begins
at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2014 and features
a free reception giving the general public an opportunity to “mix and mingle” with festival organizers,
filmmakers and other festival attendees followed
by a screening of the critically acclaimed film by
Charles Murray, “Things Never Said”.
Admission to the screening is $10. This event is
a collaboration of the Black Arts Alliance and the
Wilmington Professional Networking Group. Other
events include the Filmmaker’s Brunch, Family
Cinema and Audience Engagement: Using Film in
the Fight for Social Justice on Saturday March 15th;
Fashion in Film Showcase, the Awards/Closing
Ceremony with closing film selection on Sunday.
Attendees will find multiple screenings and other
scheduled events throughout the festival.
By: Tony Graham
Graphics courtesy of Black Arts Alliance, Inc.
North Carolina Black Film Festival Director, Ms.
Charlon Turner says they view all submissions for
the quality and standards that have come to be expected by the NC Black Film Festival. She expects
close to 30 screenings during this year’s festival,
which includes motion picture features, shorts,
animations and documentaries, to make the cut.
The winners from each category will be awarded
$500. A list of the films scheduled to be screened
will be forthcoming on the event website. She indicated that she also expects about 1,000 attendees throughout the weekend. Ms. Turner, who is a
huge advocate for independent film, indicated how
independent film offers a wide array of topics from
social justice to economics to community. “Independent film offers something for everyone”, says
Ms. Turner. This is apparent with the festival