*The Second Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is gearing up to celebrate the achievements of HBCU-educated filmmakers, executives, and content creators, promising an engaging event that intertwines film appreciation with activism.
Scheduled for November 8-10, 2024, this festival will take place at Howard University’s Blackburn Center in Washington, D.C., and is committed to building a pipeline that connects HBCU students to opportunities in Hollywood.
With a theme of “A Celebration of Black Cinema x Activism,” the festival aims to highlight the importance of representation and storytelling in the Black community. Attendees can look forward to immersive career development opportunities featuring sessions with renowned experts from the film, broadcast, and entertainment fields. This initiative not only enhances the visibility of HBCU talents but also empowers them to thrive in a competitive environment.
One of the festival’s focal points is the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge, which received over 200 film submissions this year. From these, seven finalists have been selected, each vying for financial prizes and coveted internships within the industry. Winners will be honored during the festival’s “Salute THEM, My HBCU Joy Awards Luncheon,” presented by AARP. This special ceremony will recognize notable HBCU alumni, including actress and producer Keshia Knight-Pulliam, Stacy Milner of HBCU Los Angeles, and TeeJ Mercer from the Move-In Day Mafia, for their contributions to advancing student initiatives and serving the community.
Adding another layer of engagement, this year’s festival will feature the HBCYOU – P&G’s national program dedicated to supporting students from historically Black colleges and universities. Through the “Beyond the Lights Career and Vendor Lounge,” attendees will have access to essential product giveaways, empowerment programming, and tools designed to meet their lifestyle needs.
The festival also promises a star-studded lineup of panels featuring esteemed personalities such as Naturi Naughton-Lewis, LaRoyce Hawkins, E. Roger Mitchell, Gram-Award winner and politician Shyne Barrow, hit producers Faith Jenkins and Nkechi Okoro Carroll, comedians Loni Love and Kym Whitley, TV executive Jawn Murray, and director David E. Talbert. This array of speakers offers a unique opportunity for participants to learn directly from those who have successfully navigated their own careers in the industry.
The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival embodies the spirit of creativity and resilience within the HBCU community, striving to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and content creators. As the event draws near, excitement builds around the significant impact it will undoubtedly have on attendees and the future of Black cinema. Get more info HERE.
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