BHERC Celebrates the 25th Annual ‘Sistas Are Doin’ it forThemselves’ Film Fest

*(Hollywood, CA) – The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) announces the 25th annual Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves film festival, celebrating the works of Black Women in Film and Television.

This signature event takes place Saturday, March 10, 2018, at both the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center 4718 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90016 and Raleigh Studios, Chaplain Theater, 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA  90038, at 7:00 p.m. created by emerging African American Female Filmmakers.

The BHERC Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves: “Sista Power, A Celebration of Black Women in Film and Television” continues to bring to the public outstanding shorts created by female filmmakers of African-American decent. This 25^th year adds an upfront and intimate chance for the audience to view and discuss the artistry, passion and sacrifice involved in the independent filmmaking process with the addition of the daytime “Power Panels” and networking from a woman’s view.

This is the only program that has consistently promoted and supported the work of African American women in film for more than two decades.  “Now more than ever the Black female perspective is needed in filmmaking and we cannot deny their power.  Moreover, the community needs to know and support our “Sister Sheroes” as they tell our stories.  This is an opportunity, and a platform to do just that.” states founder Sandra Evers-Manly.

“SISTAS…” began twenty-five years ago as a call to the entertainment industry to acknowledge that there is grand talent amongst African American women filmmakers. What began as a simple screening and discussion became one of the most recognized inspirational and emulated events of the Black filmmaking community.   It is a clear-cut concept; a screening of short films written and/or directed by some of the nation’s top filmmakers with a dialog following.  For this 25^th year celebration, BHERC has added the extended Power Panel sessions in the morning with the film festival screening in the evening.

Past “Sista filmmakers and participants” have included Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, Shots Fired), Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou), Yvette Freeman (ER), Dianne Houston (first Black Female to be nominated for an Academy Award / Short Film category) and the Oscar-nominated Dee Rees (Mudbound) just to name a very few. Many of these filmmakers have received high honors and recognition for their achievements and breakthroughs in filmmaking. Guests have a rare chance to have an open dialogue and hear the awe-inspiring stories of how these Sistas did it for themselves.

Opening Celebration includes Continental breakfast and the Sista Power Panels and begin and 8:30am at Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90016. The Sistas Are Doin’ It For Themselves Short Film Festival begins at 7:00pm at Raleigh Studios, Chaplain Theater 5300 Melrose Ave, Hollywood, CA  90038.