In today’s climate writers and their identities are more central to the conversation than ever before. Join panelists for a discussion on writing ethnicity, race, and culture in film and television, and the importance of increasing diversity in the media landscape. Writers will discuss tone, breaking stereotypes, using setting as a character, and the responsibility a writer has to their work and others.
AFF IN SIX SQUARE AFF’s FREE Community Festival Programming within the Six Square Cultural District Saturday, October 29th, 11 AM – 3 PM
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center (165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702)
Both in partnership with the Historic Six Square Cultural District, The George Washington Carver Museum, and Austin Film Festival’s Uplifting Storytellers Initiative, AFF presents a full day of FREE Festival programming aimed at helping emerging creatives of color get a foot in the entertainment industry door. Open to all storytellers wanting to learn more about the processor translating their creative talents into careers, these events include a panel conversation and a short film showcase completely open to both our Festival audience and the public with NO badge needed to attend!
Representation On and Off Screen (Screening Programming)
Fenom
Director: Kayla Johnson
Fenom follows basketball and music’s next big star Flau’Jae Johnson while she looks to carry the legacy of her late father, rapper Camouflage. As she closes out her high school career, she awaits one of the biggest moments of her life while in pursuit of stamping her claim as one of Georgia’s greats before heading to stardom at LSU. This is a story of legacy, victory and the pursuit of greatness
Quilted Education (USA, 10)
Director/Writer: Kayla Robinson
Cast: Karen Robinson, Kayla Robinson, Ellen Smith
When my mother, Karen Hinton Robinson, learned I wouldn’t be taught Black history in school, she took education into her own hands, bringing Black history to life for over 20 years through quilting.
Respectfully (USA, 10)
Writer: C.A. Barrow, Keving Johnson
Director: Desirae A. Lee
Keisha is eager to start AP Bio and rushes to class but when she arrives she is unfairly questioned by her white teacher. Keisha must make a difficult decision; give her name and accept the injustice or stand up for herself and call out the teacher’s inconsistent behavior. However, she can lean on the guidance of her ancestors who are always by her side…literally.
New Moon (USA, 12)
Writer: Colman Domingo, Raúl Domingo
Director: Jérémie Balais, JeffLeBars, Raúl Domingo
An imaginative surrealist journey of young Jay Jay and his mother Edie. Their inner-city dreams are illuminated by the New Moon accompanied by magic of Aretha Franklin playing on a summer’s eve on a transistor radio in a backyard in West Philadelphia.
The New Knight (USA, 14)
Writer: Steven Allerick
Director: Carl Reid, Steven Allerick
Cast: Aayden William, Deanne Lauvin, Devin Looc, Andy Marques, Steven Allerick
A multi-ethnic child experiences a racial awakening when he learns he is different from his favorite superhero.