The BronzeLens Film Festival provides people of color opportunities in the filmmaking industry
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April 25, 2021 Mustafa Bey
Clark Atlanta University
Image by: Wilson Morales
This year the “BronzeLens Film Festival” is having Oprah Winfrey as a special guest for their Women’s Superstar Luncheon and giving out $1M grants to HBCU students in donations by the help of Tyler Perry.
ATLANTA, GA - April 25, 2021 – The BronzeLens Film Festival utilizes their platform for people of color to network by talking to the top filmmakers and producers in the country and showcase their talents to get their foot in the door to the filmmaking industry. Showcasing their talents by submitting their films to get an opportunity to have their film to be chosen to be presented at the festival.
According to William Pete the President of Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau said, “I believe that with the growing number of films being made in Atlanta and Georgia, a destination festival focused on films made by African Americans would have an audience”.
There is a lot of momentum around with this sentiment made Pete. With the rise and intentionality of having more Black and BIPOC representation on the screen there it is natural to follow that trend with Black and BIPOC representation in writing, directing, and filmmaking - highlighting and celebrating stories of people of color – recognizing BLFF’s specific lens Black voices.
According to Kathleen Bertrand senior VP at ACVB during that time said, “After meeting with other existing festivals geared to African Americans, she concluded that there could be a niche for a new festival and began the process of launching what was to become BronzeLens”. Months later ACVB created BLFF which launched in 2010 and developed the next 5 festivals there planning to host as well. The goal for the BLFF is to “showcase films by seasoned, filmmakers as well as the “next generation” of filmmakers that are by, for and/or depicting people of color, particularly of the African Diaspora,” said Kathleen. The Festival features outstanding films and workshops, Master Classes and Conversations about the art and business of filmmaking. They partner with HBO, Turner, OWN, BET, and many more as well.
Due to the COVID-19 and the global pandemic the 12th Annual Bronze Film Festival will be a virtual experience for 6 days Tuesday Aug. 17 to Sunday Aug. 22. The virtual experience will have many of the same components, including a couple of surprises, that people like about the BronzeLens, while having a good time from the luxury of your home.
The different events for the 2021 BLFF experience consist of 6 days of the absolute best of the best of indie films. The screening range across genres including: short films, features, documentaries, web series, and music videos. This year’s festival also offers a wide range of events such as: the return of the Women Superstar Awards, virtual networking, post-screening talkbacks with our filmmakers, exclusive features for official selection filmmakers, and exciting information packed conversations, panels, and workshops. One of the major highlights of the festival is the prestigious BronzeLens Awards, and the 12th Annual Cinema and Social Justice Sunday screenings.
About five years ago, Oprah Winfrey played a big role in the BLFF by how they screened her new shows from her network – Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). One of the series screened was Queen Sugar which is created and produced by Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay. This year Oprah Winfrey will be the guest speaker for the Women Superstar Luncheon. Having a conversation with her gives young people of color especially women of color the knowledge and gems to get their foot in the door in the film industry.
There are many companies and people not only giving back to HBCU’s but giving students that attend HBCU’s the opportunity to get their foot in the door. They are helping them gain access to the entertainment industry by offering them internships, full-time, or part-time jobs seeing that they are well qualified for jobs coming out of college just like students that attend PWI’s. One example of intentional giving is the great screenwriter, actor, director, and producer, Tyler Perry, is giving back to 3 HBCU’s Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, and Florida A&M University. Giving out $1 million in grants in students that are majoring in TV and film production.
According to Kathleen Bertrand executive producer of BLFF said “Best Showcase for New Filmmakers and Best Place to Break into the Film Industry. This honor truly recognizes one of the key elements of our mission, which is to support the next generation of filmmakers”.
The 12th Annual BLFF is accepting submissions for your film videos by March 31,2021 by the deadline is April 30, 202. Go to Submissions - BronzeLens Film Festival to get an opportunity to have your film chosen.
