The inaugural Black Women Film Summit closed on Saturday at TIME Restaurant & Lounge with an Awards Presentation and celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Mahogany. Singer/actress V. Bozeman treated guests to a powerful performance of her song “Race Jones.” Immediately following, awards were handed out to the top films screened during the Black Women Film Festival. The winners are:
Best of Festival
“Your Love” – Directed by Laila Petrone
Best Short
“Q.U.E.E.N.” – Directed by Brittany Fennell
Best Director
“Black Girl in Paris”- Directed by Kiandra Parks
Audience Buzz Award
“Hands to the Sky” – Directed by Kimberly Townes
Audience Award
“Bristol Place” – Written by LaShunda Smith
Earlier that day at Spelman College, the Summit continued with the “Young, Black & Filming” panel moderated by Alexa Harris and featuring panelists Nneka Onurah (Director, The Same Difference), Judi Blair (Actress, Magic Mike XXL), Emcee N.I.C.E (Creator, Da Jammies) and Gabrielle Fulton (Director, Ir/Reconcilable). Authors Pamela Samuels Young (Anybody’s Daughter – winner, 2014 NAACP Image Award), Ruth P. Watson (Blackberry Days of Summer), Sid Powell (The Makeup of a Woman) and Gillian Royes (The Sea Grape Tree) discussed their projects and gave publishing tips during the afternoon book panel.
Additionally, we are proud to have the support of the FOX | HBCU Media Alliance for this year’s 2015 Black Women Film Summit. The FOX | HBCU Media Alliance is a professional organization launched by Fox Audience Strategy that aims to augment the tremendous creative and business pipeline produced by HBCUs through the development of a singular platform that streamlines both the education efforts of the HBCUs and the interests of the FOX entertainment businesses to attract, develop and engage the best and brightest of this vast community with a focus on media and entertainment.
To apply for membership and learn more, visit foxhbcualliance.com.
Special thanks to sponsors BET, CENTRIC, VH1, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Spelman College, Bronner Bros, UPSCALE, Bronner Bros, National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, Bovanti Cosmetics, Simon Sign Systems, 11Alive, V103, 1380 WAOK, FOX | HBCU Media Alliance, Sam’s Club, The Glenn Hotel, Pure Conceptions Multimedia, 135th Street Agency, LisiProta Technology Solutions, AEE Productions, Coca-Cola, RLJ Entertainment, MA 360 Media, Classic Party Rentals, Hawes Development LLC, Brand Connections Marketing & Media and the Creative Suite.
To become a member of the Black Women Film Network, visit www.blackwomenfilm.org. Follow BWFN on Twitter at @BWFN and Instagram at @blackwomenfilm.
