Formerly known as the Black Diaspora Film Festival, the Hayti Heritage Film Festival (HHFF) is proud to be celebrating its 15th year by showcasing the diverse works of and about people of African descent. In honoring this 15 year legacy, HHFF will expand into new territory. In addition to adding competition categories, the festival is stepping up efforts to recognize and hone the talents of established and up and coming filmmakers by adding competitive awards, a financial short film challenge, and an all day student workshop, celebrity panel discussions and much more.
SPECIAL GUEST INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS:
Cedric Pendleton
Intense. Charismatic. Charming. Sexy. Bad Boy? Maybe, but then there's always a maybe about a bad boy, isn't there? Cedric Pendleton knew from early on that he was destined for one of two things: the pulpit or the stage. He chose the stage or, as he would say, the stage chose him. Born in the small town of Florence, Alabama, his parents were school teachers, his father, was also a politician and civil rights leader. Cedric moved as a very young man to the big southern city of Atlanta where he quickly and surely made a name for himself as a respected, sought-after actor. How did he do it? He did the work. While working full time in corporate sales, he emerged himself in a concentrated, back-breaking internship at Actor's Express Theater under then Artistic Director Chris Coleman, the result of which was a stunning debut performance in Stand Up Tragedy in which he played the lead. He has since worked on stage with such respected actors and directors as Gary Yates, David Bell, Ella Joyce, Ruby Dee, Angela Gibbs, Joan Pringle, and Woody King, Jr.
Committed and passionate from the very beginning, Cedric kept reaching and working. He added commercials, voice over work and industrials to his resume. And he made the most of Atlanta's burgeoning independent film community, in which his talent, perseverance, and charm served him well and put him on the local A-list. As he consistently honed his talents and skills, his independent film work soon led to roles in hit features such as Runaway Jury, Summer Catch, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and Madea's Family Reunion, allowing him to work with the likes of Brian Dennehy, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Debbie Allen, and Tyler Perry. All the while, he was paving his way to Oz. Once he took the plunge and moved West, he proved that he was not just a big fish in a small pond, but rather, he could hold his own with the big dogs. Cedric landed supporting and recurring roles in hit television shows and movies like The Fantasia Barino Story, The Shield, The Guardian, One Tree Hill, Strong Medicine, and NYPD Blue. For Cedric, like any true artist, there is no separation between his life and his craft. He commands attention like a star, and he thrives on it like a star. Unexpectedly, he accepts praise with grace. A multi-faceted treasure, he is also a producer, promoter, writer, poet, lyricist, and motivational speaker and a gifted athlete, martial artist, teacher, and mentor.
Dante James
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ruth Boyd and Doyle James, Dante James currently resides in Durham, North Carolina with his wife Delores, and his daughter Monika. An independent filmmaker, in June 2006 Danté began an appointment as an Artist-in-Residence instructor/filmmaker at Duke University. For WNET's Great Performances, he is also developing a featurelength performance documentary on the evolution of Jazz in the Paris community of Montmatre. In June, 2008 he will produce and direct a dramatic film for his undergraduate alma mater, Grand Valley State University.
Mr. James was awarded an Emmy in 2006 for his work on the four-part, PBS series Slavery and The Making of America, narrated by Morgan Freeman. For WETA in Washington, DC, he produced and directed the national Emmy-nominated film, Marian Anderson. And he produced and directed, A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom, a 90-minute feature documentary. Dante was recognized as distinguished alumnus by Grand Valley State in 1994, and in December 2007 the university awarded him an honorary PhD. In addition, he has a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree from Duke University. James has served as a funding review panelist for the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Black Programming Consortium, and the National Endowment for the Arts. He is a member of both the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America.
Christine Swanson
Multiple award-winning filmmaker Christine Swanson earned her MFA in Film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, the nation’s top-ranked graduate film program. Recognized early as a talented and complete filmmaker, Christine was selected by NYU faculty as the Willard T.C. Johnson Fellow, the most prestigious fellowship given to the student who has achieved high standards in his or her work. Christine also earned a BA degree from the University of Notre Dame double majoring in Film Theory and Japanese and was chosen by its Alumni Association as The Rev. Arthur S. Harvey Award recipient acknowledging her achievements in the fine arts. Christine has developed, written and/or directed various movie projects for companies including HBO Films and Faith Filmworks, the independent film company run by Christine and her husband and producer, Michael
Swanson. The married couple has been featured in The New York Times, JET Magazine, Christianity Today and CNN as a rising duo to watch in the entertainment industry. CNN also identified Christine as one of the most promising filmmakers to emerge from NYU’s graduate film program since Ang Lee, Spike Lee (Christine's NYU directing teacher), Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone. Most recently, Christine wrote and directed the 2008 romantic drama feature film, All About Us, starring Boris Kodjoe, Ryan Michelle Bathé, Luke Swanson, LaTanya Richardson, Academy Award nominee Ruby Dee with a special appearance by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. All About Us was invited to the prestigious Heartland Film Festival, The Chicago International Film Festival and the Cannes Festival du Film Panafricain. A heartfelt storyteller, Christine was requested to revise the motion picture screenplay for Woman Thou Art Loosed before the film headed into production. Woman Thou Art Loosed, starring Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and T.D. Jakes, went on to win the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2004 American Black Film Festival. The film was released in theaters to great acclaim in October 2004, before becoming a DVD best seller for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Christine also wrote and directed the “indie classic” romantic comedy All About You, and executive produced its popular soundtrack album. Her screenplay attracted a talented cast including Renée Goldsberry, Terron Brooks, LisaRaye, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Debbie Allen. All About You won several film festival awards, including the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2003 American Black Film Festival, an Audience Choice Award at The Chicago International Film Festival and the Film of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara African Heritage Film Series. All About You was also invited to The Hamptons International and Rhode Island International Film Festivals. Christine’s most celebrated short film, Two Seasons, was a Student Academy Award semi-finalist and a 1999 Sundance Film Festival official selection. Two Seasons won the Warner Bros. Pictures Production Award, the National Black Programming Consortium Award and the HBO Short Film Competition Grand Prize at the 1998 Acapulco Black Film Festival.
In 2004, Christine directed three national commercials for her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, featuring Emmy winner Martin Sheen and television personality Regis Philbin. The spots were awarded gold medals for best commercials by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. A dynamic guest lecturer and symposium leader, Christine is regularly invited to colleges and universities to speak on numerous topical issues. Christine is currently preparing to direct her third feature f ilm in 2009. A Detroit native, Christine resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and their four children.
HAYTI HERITAGE FILM FESTIVAL
Preliminary Schedule
Thursday, February 19 th, 2009
6:00pm -10:00pm Community Film Day (Free to the Public)
Friday, February 20th, 2009
Morning Registration begins/Pick Up Passes/Tickets Afternoon Film Student Activities (Luncheon, Viewing of Student Films in Competition) 7:00pm Opening Screening Film 9:00pm Opening Reception
Saturday, February 21 st, 2008
9:00am Registration begins/Pick up Passes/Tickets Morning Film Screenings, including Kid’z Film Block 1:00pm – 2:30pm Panel Discussion –Working Behind the Scenes (Filmmakers/Producers/Screenwriters) Afternoon Film Screenings 4:15pm – 5:15pm Panel Discussion with Guest Actors/Actresses and Casting Director Evening Film Screenings 10:00pm-2:00am Industry Party
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
1:00pm – 3:00pm 3:00pm – 4:00pm Swanson 4:30pm 6:00pm Inspirational Film Screenings Guest Speaker – Director, Christine Awards Ceremony Closing Reception
PASSES/TICKETS
Passes – Only $50.00 Passes includes admission to all festival screenings, panel discussions, receptions, and parties. Festival Pass holders will also receive a festival bag and program guide. Day Pass- $25.00 Individual Tickets - $8.00 Tickets – Individual tickets for screening blocks. Each Screening Block is $8.00. Industry Party- Saturday, February 21, 2009- $20.00 per person Tickets can be purchased in person at the Hayti Heritage Center, 804 Old Fayetteville Rd. Durham, NC 27701 Or by calling: (919) 683-1709 ext. 21 Or on line at www.hayti.org Visa/Mastercard/American Express/ CASH Accepted
Submit Your Film
2009 HHFF Filmmaker Guidelines
February 19-22, 2009
Filmmaker Eligibility: The Hayti Heritage Film Festival is currently accepting applications and submissions for films and videos, both short and long form. Films can be of any genre including drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, experimental and science fiction. These works must be made by and/or about people of African descent and includes domestic and international films. (African Descent is inclusive of all people who are or whose ancestors are from Africa (i.e. African America, Latino, African, Caribbean, etc). Films can be turned in separately from the film application if they are works in progress, however all materials must be received by February 2 nd, 2009. Please include a 50 work synopsis, photo stills, and biographies. Notification of acceptance will be determined within 7 days of the completed film submission (application and film). Films must have been completed and copyrighted no earlier than 2007.
SunTrust Financial Film Challenge:
The SunTrust Financial Short Film Challenge promotes a creative way to address a topic that impacts each of us individually and collectively throughout our lives – Our Financial Well-being. This Challenge aims to encourage rigor and quick decision making skills in the very same way that a 48-hour film challenge would. Filmmakers must create a 90-second to 5 minute film that that addresses a financial topic, which can include (but is not limited to) the following: college loans, importance of savings, credit cards, improving credit, homeownership, foreclosure, excessive spending, and/or debt. The Financial Short Film Challenge is open to those who are not of African Descent as long as at least three of the following key roles are filled by people of African Descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. Fictional narratives are welcome, however all “factual information” relayed in the film must be substantiated by credible sources and credit given at the end of the film. Wikipedia will not be accepted as a valid source. See additional financial resources for more information. The winner of the competition will have their film screened as part of the closing awards ceremony at the festival and will receive a cash award and may also have the opportunity to have their film showcased both regionally and nationally. Applications and Films must be received by February 2nd, 2009.
Student Eligibility
There are two categories of student submission, the General Submission Competition and the SunTrust Financial Short Film Challenge. Please see student info on website for more details. (Applications on line)
Competition:
All films submitted and accepted to the festival are eligible for the competition categories. Films requested for special screenings are not eligible for competition. The competition categories are as follows: Best Long Form (narrative/documentary), Best Short Film (narrative/documentary), Best Acting Ensemble, Audience Choice Award, Best Student Film – General Submission, and Best Student Film – Financial Film Challenge. With the exception of the Audience Choice Award, all films will be judged by an independent jury panel.
General Filmmaker Guideline Checklist
Submission Procedure: The preferred format for submission is DVD, however Digi-Beta Video, Beta SP will also be accepted. There is a $25 filmmaker fee submission/application fee for the 2009 Hayti Heritage Film Festival. This fee is waived for students. Please make checks payable to St. Joseph Historic Foundation. Films for the competition must have been completed after January 1 st, 2007. Long Form Submission - Films 45 minutes and longer. Short Film Submission - Films 44 minutes or less. For General Film Submission, the films/videos must be made by and/or about people of African descent. The filmmaker does not have to be of African descent if the subject matter is about people of African descent. Also, if the filmmaker is of African descent, the subject matter can be inclusive of all subjects, topics, or audiences. The 3 out of 6 rule applies to student film categories only. Three of the following six key roles in the project must be of African descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. Filmmaker accepted into the Festival will receive two festival passes which includes access to all films, panels, access to the filmmaker lounge, opening and closing receptions, and awards ceremonies. Please send a stamped self-addressed postcard with your application if you would like to receive notification that we received your entry and film. Please include a stamped self-address envelope with your application if you would like to have your film returned. All Films and Applications must be submitted to Hayti Heritage Film Festival 804 Old Fayetteville Road Durham, NC 27702 Email: haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com Fax: (919) 667-1558 or (919) 682-5869 (Hayti)
Student Information
December 8, 2008 Dear Film/Video Studies Students, We would like to extend an invitation to all film studies students/and or students who love filmmaking to submit your film(s) to the “Hayti Heritage Film Festival” which will take place February 19th-22nd, 2009 in Durham, NC. The festival formerly known as the “Black Diaspora Film Festival” is proud to be celebrating its 15th year. In honoring this legacy, the Festival will expand into new territory this year by adding competition categories and awards, a financial short film challenge, an all day student workshop, celebrity panel discussions and much more. North Carolina has often been dubbed as the “Hollywood East” with enormous contributions to the film industry. Recent features like Universal’s Leatherheads, Warner Bros’. Richard Gere/Diane Lane romance Nights in Rodanthe, and Fox Searchlight’s The Secret Life of Bees have all found a wealth of resources in the Tar Heel State. We are certain that you will find this festival an invaluable resource as you continue to develop and hone your filmmaking skills. Our student component is unlike most other film festival competitions. First, all students accepted into the festival competition will have a special luncheon with Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Dante James. Immediately following the luncheon, all students will have the opportunity to have their work screened in front of their peers and in the presence of a panel of professional filmmaking judges who will offer constructive critiques. This screening offers students an opportunity to ask questions in addition to discovering the subtle and complex “dos” and “don’ts” of filmmaking. Also, all accepted students will receive a free festival pass which includes a free t-shirt and festival bag, admission to all film screenings and panel discussions, the industry party, and opening and closing receptions. And most importantly, the winner in each of the two categories - General student film and the Financial Film Challenge, may have the option of having his/her film screened during the awards ceremony. The winners in each category will receive a plaque and monetary award. Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to send an email haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com. Thank you, Dilsey Davis and Angela Ray Co-Chairs Hayti Heritage Film Festival St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc.
Student Eligibility
There are two categories of student submission, the General Submission and the Financial Short Film Challenge. Student General Submission Category: Students who have completed films within the last two years (January 2007) are encouraged to submit. The Hayti Heritage Film Festival is currently accepting applications and submissions for films and videos, both short (generally less than 30 minutes) and long form (generally 45 minutes or longer). Films can be of any genre including drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, experimental and science fiction. These works must be made by and/or about people of African descent and includes domestic and international films. (African Descent is inclusive of all people who are or whose ancestors are from Africa (i.e. African America, Latino, African, Caribbean, etc). Films can be turned in separately from the film application if they are works in progress, however all materials must be received by February 2nd, 2009. Please include a 50 work synopsis, photo stills, and biographies. Notification of acceptance will be determined within 7 days of the completed film submission (application and film). Students are encouraged to submit early so that they can receive acceptance notification as early as possible. Films must have been completed and copyrighted no earlier than 2007. Students may submit films individually or in teams of up to 5 people. The general student competition is open to those who are not of African Descent as long as at least three of the following key roles are filled by people of African Descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. SunTrust Financial Short Film Challenge: The Financial Short Film Challenge promotes a creative way to address a topic that impacts each of us individually and collectively throughout our lives – Our Financial Well-being. This Challenge aims to encourage rigor and quick decision making skills in the very same way that a 48-hour film challenge would. The financial short film challenge is open to all current students as well as professional and amateur filmmakers. Students are encouraged to work in teams from November „08 – January „09 to create a 90 second to 5 minute film that addresses a financial topic, which can include (but is not limited to) the following: college loans, importance of savings, credit cards, improving credit, homeownership, foreclosure, excessive spending, and/or debt. The Financial Short Film Challenge is open to those who are not of African Descent as long as at least three of the following key roles are filled by people of African Descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. Fictional narratives are welcome, however all “factual information” relayed in the film must be substantiated by credible sources and credit given at the end of the film. Wikipedia will not be accepted as a valid source. See additional financial resources for more information. The winner of the competition will have their film screened as part of the closing awards ceremony at the festival and will receive a cash award and may also have the opportunity to have their film showcased both regionally and nationally. Applications and Films must be received by February 2nd, 2009.
General Student Guidelines Checklist
Submission Procedure: The preferred format for submission is DVD, however Digi-Beta Video, Beta SP will also be accepted. There are no application fees for current students. Films for the competition must have been completed after January 1 st, 2007. Student General Submission - Long Form - generally 45 minutes and longer, short form-generally 30 minutes or less Student Financial Film Challenge – Films should be 90 seconds to 5 minutes in length The 3 out of 6 rule applies to student film categories only. Three of the following six key roles in the project must be filled by students of African descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. Each student filmmaker accepted into the Festival will receive one festival pass. If students submit the film in a team, each team member will each receive a festival pass (limit 5 people per team). Please send a stamped self-addressed postcard with your application if you would like to receive notification that we received your entry and film. Please include a stamped self-address envelope with your application if you would like to have your film returned.
All Films and Applications must be submitted to Hayti Heritage Film Festival 804 Old Fayetteville Road Durham, NC 27702 Email: haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com
Fax: (919) 667-1558 or (919) 682-5869 (Hayti)
CONTACTS
Co-Chairs Dilsey Davis and Angela Ray Email: haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com Fax (919) 667-1558
President and CEO Hayti Heritage Center St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. V. Dianne Pledger Email: vdpledger@hayti.org (919) 683-1709 ext. 25
PR Pamela R. Purifoy PR Communications Group, LLC Email: prpropam1@yahoo.com Phone: (919) 451-2620