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"The Best of The Fest" - Screening of the Audience Favorites at the ATLWOCI Film Festival. Friday May 5th '06 @ Auburn Avenue Research Library at 6:00pm prompt!

2006 Audience Favorites
The top 6 Films from the Festival are listed below:
1. Sweet Honey In The Rock: Raise your voice
2. God Sleeps in Rwanda
3. Daughters of the Wind (FILHAS DO VENTO)
4. Oxtails
5. City Of Women (A CIDADE DAS MULHERES) & Hoo Hoo:losing mother tongue (tied)
6. Scence Not Heard: women in Philadelphia Hip Hop (This will be screening at The Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival: April 27th - 30th '06 - catch it there!)

Due to popular demand we will be screening the Audience favorites of the 2nd Atlanta Women of Color International Film Festival. Films will be availbale for purchase. If you missed the festival, here is your chance to see THE BEST OF THE FEST!!

When: Friday, May 5, 2006
Where: 4th Floor, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture & History
101 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303
Time: 6:00pm Prompt!
Admission: FREE & open to the public, donations welcome!

FILMS WILL BE AVAILBLE FOR SALE
Schedule
PLEASE NOTE: SCHEDULE HAS BEEN REVISED!
(scroll down for synopsis of films)
6:00pm  Hoo Hoo: Losing Mother Tongue
6:10pm God Sleeps in Rwanda
6:40pm Oxtails
7:05pm  Daughters of the Wind (FILHAS DO VENTO)

15 min Intermission

8:45pm  The City of Women (A CIDADE DAS MULHERES)





When: Friday, March 24th - Sunday, March 26th 2006
Friday, March 24th 2006
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Meet & Greet Reception with Filmmakers
7:15pm - 10:45pm - Screenings
Saturday, March 25th 2006
Screening times 12 noon - 9:50 pm
Sunday, March 26th 2006
Screening times : 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Where: The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture & History, 101 Auburn Avenue, 4th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303

Admission: FREE and Open to the Public
Click here to download schedule.
Please note that schedule is subject to change. Check back regularly for updates.
** indicates film swap from intial schedule

Friday March 24th, 7:15pm - 8:45pm
HOPE: A series of shorts that explores hope in the face of adversity

Friday, March 24th
7:15pm

Title: GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year: Rwanda, 2004, Kinyarwanda and English subtitles
Length: 28 minutes
Directors:Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman
Screenwriters:Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Shermani
Editing:Craig Tanner
Narration:Rosario Dawson

The Rwandan Genocide left the country's population nearly 70% female, putting an extraordinary burden on them as well as offering unprecedented opportunities. A poignant story of loss and redemption "God Sleeps in Rwanda" captures the spirit of five courageous women as they rebuild their lives, redefining women's roles in Rwandan society and bringing hope to a wounded nation.
Audience Award Silverdocs/AFI/Documentary Film Festival 2005
Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Short, 2005


Friday, March 24th
7:45pm

Title:** IN TIME
Genre: Drama
Country & Year:USA, 2005
Length:19 minutes
Director:Adetoro Makinde, Maurice A. Dwyer
Producers:Adetoro Makinde, K. Marie Walters
Screenwriter:Adetoro Makinde
Director of Photography:Greg Williams
Editing:Chris A. Peterson
Traditonal; Music:Fancis Awe

As a Nigerian-American, Bisi (Adetoro Makinde) has lived her life balancing between the freedom of an American lifestyle and the beliefs of her Yoruba ancestors. On the eve of her wedding, tradition takes over, but it could cost her the man she loves.
American Black Film Festival - HBO Short Film Award
Denver Pan African Film Festival - Best Short Film 2005
San Francisco Black Film Festival - Best Shirt Film -2005
Official Website




Friday, March 24th
8:06pm

Title: BROOKLYNS BRIDGE TO JORDAN
Genre:Narrative
Country & Year: USA, 2004
Length: 20 minutes
Director/ Producer: Tina Mabry
Screenwriter: Tina Mabry

A captivating story about a woman's struggle to bridge the gap between her and her life partner's son after losing her partner in a tragic car crash.
Best short - Out takes film festival Dallas, 2005
Audience Award - Out on Film Festival, Atlanta, 2005
Official Website


Friday, March 24th
8:30pm

Title: **SOULS
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre: Drama
Country& Year: CANADA, 2005
Length: 13 minutes
Director:Zoë Naomi Bridgeman
Producer: Shelly Ross
Screenwriter: Zoë Naomi Bridgeman

Blood has memory and flows through the soul. Set in 2006 and 1860, Lola (Yvonne Myers) shares the a candid conversation about the hardships that made her the woman she is today, leading the other guests to reflect on their own traumatic pasts that color their present.
Official Website
Q & A with Director Zoë Naomi Bridgeman & her Crew


15 minutes Intermission
Second Half
Friday, March 24th, 9:15pm - 10:40pm


Friday, March 24th
9:15pm

Title: SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: RAISE YOUR VOICE
Genre: Documentary/Music
Country & Year:USA, 2005
Director:Stanley Nelson
Producers: Stanley Nelson, Kristin Lesko,
Editing:Jean Tsien, Helen Yum
Music: Sweet Honey In The Rock

Raise Your Voice explores Sweet Honey In The Rock's roots, in celebration of the grammy award-winning African American female acappella ensemble's 30th anniversary. The documentary not only celebrates their music but effectively captures the tremendous energy unleashed on stage and the emotional interplay between Sweet Honey and its hand-clapping, arm-waving audiences, which group member Carol Maillard calls a "circle of communication." Through behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, concert footage, archival stills and interviews, the film chronicles their history and music, asserts Sweet Honey in the Rock's singular creativity, and conveys members' sense of empowerment as African American women.
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for TV - Cinema Audio Society, USA, 2006 .


Saturday, March 25th, Screenings 12 noon - 9:00pm

Saturday, March 25th
12 noon

Title: MY AMERICAN NURSE
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre: Narrative
Country & Year:USA/Nigeria, 2005
Length:96 minutes
Director: Pascal Atuma
Executive Producer:Carol Nneoma Atuma Barnabas.I.Okoronkwo
Screenwriter: Pascal Atuma
Director of Photography: Roy Kurtluyan & Steve Oluyede
Editing: Emmanuel U. Oyibocha
Music:Kingsley O. Kings

Shehu (Pascal Atuma), a frustrated cab driver in LA decides he is going home to Nigeria to find himself a wife. His journey back home proves to be challenging, as his younger brother is ashamed of him, as he didn't come back from America rich. Despite this, Shehu finds himself a wife takes her back to America and decides that she is going to be a Nurse. His wife on the other hand has other plans. My American nurse is a humorous yet serious look at the life of an immigrant in America as well as touching on issues of female inequality.


Saturday, March 25th
1:40pm

Title: PROGRAMAS: PROSTITUTION IN RIO DE JANEIRO
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year:Brazil, 2005. Portugese and English subtitles
Length:90 minutes
Director: Parrish Smith
Producer:Parrish Smith
Screenwriter: Parrish Smith
Director of Photography: Parrish Smith

This feature length documentary is an insightful look into the sexual tourism in the city of Rio de Janeiro and follows the life's of the "Garota de Programas" (girl-of-program/girlfriends-for-hire) and the insatiable desire men of all descents have for these exquisite women of this popular vacation destination.


Saturday, March 25th
3:15 pm

Title: EFUNSETAN ANUWURA - THE REAL STORY OF IYALODE IBADAN
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre: Narrative
Country& Year: Nigeria, 2005 ( Yoruba w/English subtitiles)
Length:90 minutes
Director:Tunde Kelani
Producer: Golden Link Productions
Screenwriter: Professor Akinwunmi Ishola
Cinematography: Tunde Kelnai

Efunsetan Aniwura, the Iyalode of Ibadan (located in south-west Nigeria and reputed to be the largest black city in Sub-Saharan Africa) is the story of one of the most powerful women in the history of that city in the late 1800's. Efunsetan Aniwura, is a powerful, rich and influential High Chief of Ibadan and her only child and daughter dies during child birth. With a terrible sense of loss and the stigma of not having a descendant to inherit her legacy, Efunsetan, who blamed God for her tragedy turns her anger on the very society she swore to defend while taking oath on her installation as the Iyalode of Ibadan. This educational epic attempts to give us an historical overview of the political infrastructure of ancient Yourba land.
Introduced by Mr. Gbugbemi Okotieuro - Filmmaker & Associate Dean of Government and External Relations - Medger Evers College, Brooklyn, New York.


LOVE, LIFE AND THE REVOLUTION: Dedicated to the memory of Nya Joy Payton, Producer of "PRESCRIPTION FOR TIME" and the Former Creative Editor of The African Magazine
5:00pm - 6:45pm


Saturday, March 25th
5:00pm

Title: PRESCRIPTION FOR TIME
Genre: Narrative
Country & Year: USA, 2005
Length: 15 minutes
DirectorKeith McQuirter
Producers:Keith McQuirter, Nya Joy Payton
Screenwriter: Keith McQuirter

An elderly woman suffers from early signs of dementia and fears losing her independence to her daughter. In an attempt to change her fate, she finds hope in a drug that promises to extend life.


Saturday, March 25th
5:15pm

Title: GIFT FOR THE LIVING
Genre: Narrative
Country & Year:USA,2004
Length: 15 minutes
Director:Tamika Miller
Producers: Tamika Miller, Adisa Khepra
Screenwriter:Tamika Miller

Inspired by the O. Henry short story "Gift of the Magi", Gift for the Living is a story about a grandmother and her granddaughter who, without the other's knowledge, sell their most treasured possession in order to buy the other a birthday gift. In the granddaughter's quest for the perfect gift, she discovers her grandmother's rich and unique history - a history her grandmother never spoke of.

Starring 2004 Cannes Special Jury Prize winning actress Irma P. Hall (Ladykillers), with voice over by actress Vanessa Williams.
Grand Prize Winner of the Showtime Black Filmmaker Showcase 2005.
Outfest Film Festival Audience Award for Outstanding Short Narrative. 2004.
Official Website


Saturday, March 25th
5:30pm

Title:THE MISSING PEACE
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre:Narrative
Country & Year:USA, 2005
Creole & English subtitles
Length:23 minutes
Director:Rachel Benjamin
Producer:Rachel Benjamin
Screenwriter:Rachel Benjamin
Editing:Rene J. Herrera
Editing:Tom Sorich

It is 1991, Haiti, A young girl negotiates her unstable community in the wake of a military coup that ousts authoritarian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. She begins to reassess her suppliant relationships with her soldier boyfriend and her grandmother, who raises her, when she meets a bold American journalist who has come to Haiti to investigate her mother's disappearance.The Missing Peace is an adaptation of a short, of the same title from the book, Krik Krak, by noted Haitian novelist Edwidge Danticat.


Saturday, March 25th
5:55pm

Title:OXTAILS
Genre:Comedy
Country & Year: USA, 2004
Length:22 minutes
Directors: Antonia March, Jacqueline McKinley
Screenwriters:Antonia March, Jacqueline McKinley
Producers:Antonia March, Jacqueline McKinley

Oxtails is a comedy about one guys fear of eating's his girlfriends food, out of the fear that she may be adding "roots" to her recipe! "Oxtails" redefines the old proverb, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
Official Website<


Saturday, March 25th
6:20pm

Title:LEILA
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre:Drama/Dance
Country & Year: USA, 2005
Length:16 minutes
Director: Hanelle Culpepper
Screenwriters:Hanelle Culpepper, T. Ann Culpepper
Producers: Zeresenay Mehari, Akrosia Samson Music: Johnny Polanco

A woman fears love due to a painful experience in her past. However an unlikely bond with an eccentric yet charming stranger who fights to get into her heart through the art and passion of salsa dancing, opens her heart and gives her courage to come to terms with her own inner demons.
Official Website


Saturday, March 25th
6:37pm

Title:SARANG SONG
(ATLANTA PREMIER)
Genre:Drama
Country & Year: USA, 2006
Length:23 minutes
Director: Tamika Miller
Producer: Adisa
Screenwriter:Tamika Miller
Director of Photography: Danny Toback
Editing: Frances Deloach
Music: Jacob Shea

Sarang song is a love story of two women set amidst the politically and socially turbulent times of the early 1970's. Their love is tested when one is thrust into the student protest movement and is forced to make a choice - will she choose her love or will she chose the movement?
Official Website


Saturday, March 25th, 7:05pm - 8:20pm
FROM PHILLY TO THE ATL :Women in Hip-Hop
7:05pm - 8:20pm


Saturday, March 25
7:05pm

Title: SCENE NOT HEARD: WOMEN N PHILADELPHA HIP-HOP
(ATLANTA PREMER)
Genre:Documentary
Country & Year:USA, 2005
Length:45 minutes
Director:Maori Karmael Holmes
Producer:Maori Karmael Holmes
Screenwriter:Maori Karmael Holmes

Scene Not Heard seeks to tell the story of the phenomenal female emcees, vocalists, poets and deejays in Philadelphia (often referred to as the Mecca for American soul) as they struggle to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Scene Not Heard features interviews with some of the originators of hip-hop such as Lady B, Schoolly D and Rennie Harris,, Bahamadia, Monie Love and Ursula Rucker, and presents current talents such as the Jazzyfatnastees, Ms. Jade, and Lady Alma.
Nomination, "best feature documentary" for Scene Not Heard (work in progress) Hip-Hop odyssey International Film Festival, November 2005
Official Website



Saturday, March 25th
7:50pm

Title:FeMCees: WOMEN REDEFINING HIP HOP
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year: USA, 2005
Length:30 minutes
Directors:Kalinda Campbell, Erica deBardeleben, Sarah Smith
Producers:Kalinda Campbell, Erica deBardeleben, Sarah Smith
Screenwriter: Kalinda Campbell, Erica deBardeleben, Sarah Smith
Editing:Kalinda Campbell, Erica deBardeleben, Sarah Smith

A documentary profiling the lives of four Atlanta based female Hip-Hop artists; DJ Cha Cha, the female rap duo Xtaci and Divinity. FeMCees looks at the ways female artists navigate through and define their space within the male dominated culture of Hip-Hop.
Q & A with Directors Kalinda Campbell & Sara Smith


Saturday, March 25th, 8:30pm - 9:50pm
ATLANTA WOMEN DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES: A selection of films by Atlanta women of color filmmkers


Saturday, March 25th
8:30pm

Title:HOO HOO: LOSING MOTHER TONGUE
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year: USA, 2005
Length:8 minutes
Director: Sandra M.Yee
Producer:Sandra M.Yee
Supervising Producer: Akanke Rasheed
Cameras:Nadirah Z. Sabir, Christine M.Yee, Sandra M.Yee
Editing:Sandra M.Yee
Music: "Chopsticks" performed by Chirs Crain

In Hoo Hoo, Sandra Lee, a Chinese-American reaches across the gaps of generation, culture and language to commemorate the domestic rituals of her immigrant grandmother. Venom-tongued abuses pepper the grandmother's sage advice from the kitchen, exemplifying the elderly immigrants frustration with the threatened cultural extinction.
Official Website


Screening time:
Saturday, March 25th
8:38pm

Title:SISTERS ON THE SOJOURN
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year: USA, 2005
Length:22 minutes
Directors: Moya Bailey, Pier Smith, Takkara Brunson
Producers:Moya Bailey, Pier Smith, Takkara Brunson
Editing:Moya Bailey, Pier Smith, Takkara Brunson

A documentary that examines the activism of Spelman College students in movements for social change. Highlighted are the students involvements in the recent anti-war movement, the March for Women's Lives, the tension surrounding homophobia on Spelman's campus as well as revisiting the controversial incident, which occurred during the spring of 2004 concerning Rapper Nelly.



Saturday, March 25th
9.00pm

Title:WINNING LISA
Genre: Comedy
Country & Year: USA, 2003
Length:50 minutes
Director: Nikki Young
Producers:Nikki Young
Screenwriter: Nikki Young

Winning Lisa is a romantic comedy Lisa and Keith who break up when Keith chooses a night out with friends over his dinner plans with Lisa. Heartbroken, Lisa vows not to let him back into her life for another ride on their roller coaster affair. A few months later Keith wins the lottery BIG! After the novelty of the riches wears off he realizes he wants his love, Lisa Back. Can Keith win Lisa back?
Official Website


Q & A with Atlanta-based Women of Color Filmmakers. Please check back for details

Sunday, March 26th, 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Viva Brazil!, Films by and about Brazilian Women



Sunday, March 26th
3:00pm

Title:THE CITY OF WOMEN (A CIDADE DAS MULHERES)
(ATLANTA PREMER)
Genre: Documentary
Country & Year: Brazil, 2005 Portuguese and English subtitles
Length:72 minutes
Director:Lázaro Faria
Producers:
Screenwriter: Cleo Martins
Director of Photography: Lázaro Faria
Editing: Isabella Lago
Music:Cleo Martins

"I think the women help make Brazil great. Will Americans believe that there is a country where women like men, feel secure and at ease with them, and do not fear them?" - Ruth Landes, American anthropologist 1930's
Through juxtaposing the findings of American anthropologist Ruth Landes and first hand accounts by Stella of Oxóssi, Iyalorisha of Ilę Axé Opô Afonjá (a Candomblé temple founded in 1910), the city of women tells the story of Candomblé (a West-African derived religion) from a female perspective. Bahia - the city of women - celebrates the ingenuity of this matriarchal society.
USA Contact: Eric Marinho


Screening time:
Sunday, March 26th
4:30pm

Title:DAUGHTERS OF THE WIND (FILHAS DO VENTO)
(ATLANTA PREMER)
Genre: Drama
Country & Year: Brazil, 2004, Portuguese w/English subtitles
Length:85 minutes
Director: Joel Zito Araújo
Screenwriter:Di Moretti
Cinematography:Jacob Sarmento Solitrenick
Editing:Isabela Monteiro de Castro
Music: Marcus Viana

A first in the history of Brazilin cinema, Daughters of the Wind assembles the largest cast of black actors/actresses ever seen in a Brazilian film. It is a moving and complex story about redemption among sisters, mothers, and daughters. The film touches upon themes pertinent to women everywhere, but in small-town Brazil the ghosts of slavery and racism linger and affect the characters' lives in subtle ways. DAUGHTERS OF THE WIND was Brazil's official entry to the Academy Awards and has won several awards in Brazil including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress.
Official Website