On Saturday, April 13th, I left day two of the third annual Black Web Fest, representing Black Talent TV, feeling more inspired and ready to conquer the world then when I entered the building. The energy among all the attendees was overflowing with positivity through numerous amounts of smiles and just eager happiness to be at the festival. In retrospect, the room was filled with excellence—black excellence. For those who don’t know, Black Web Fest, is a festival dedicated to celebrating black media makers and digital content from across the globe. Created by Victoria Coker(Colored Content), the 2019 festival began at the Dumbo Loft in Brooklyn on April 12th and ended at the National Black Theatre in Harlem the next day. As a web series & short film aficionado via Black Talent TV, which spotlights numerous web series & short films, I was excited to see new projects.
Day one of Black Web Fest 2019 included exhibits, two workshops, and talkbacks with creators. One workshop, Creating Content & Making Money, was led by award-winning filmmaker Dui Jarrod(BET’s Brooklyn.Blue.Sky) and the other, Screenwriting Workshop, was led by Black Film Space founders Lande Yoosuf & Reggie Williams. Day two featured screenings of fantastic projects, such as Steven St. Pierre’s Corey, a short film in which he directed, wrote, and starred in. Panels included “Intellectual Property: The Big Money Maker,” which was moderated by Brittany & Mary of Series-ly Podcast and featured Marissa A. Crespo, Esq.(Crespo Law Office), and “Creating Outside the Lines: Animation, Immersive Art & VR.” The latter featured four black animators, designers, and developers as they discussed creating media, breaking barriers, and providing more representation. The panelists, Monique Henry Hudson(Simply Robotix), freelance animator & illustrator Keenon Ferrell, and Matt Munn & Andre Rodriguez of Blue Sky Studios, were VERY inspiring.
Other talented attendees of Black Web Fest 2019 included actress, producer, and creator Yha Mourhia Wright(#LoveMyRoomie, Pillow Talk), freelance film composer Kris Johnson, writer & creator Kadia Blagrove(Lea the Late Bloomer), writer & director Adjani Salmon(Dreaming Whilst Black), writer, director, and producer Jason Pierre(Existential Donut), director & producer Thomas Duverne(Greed), actor & writer Albert Lawrence(Theo’s Trade), CEO & therapist Fabiola Paul(Enlightening Counseling & Educational Services, LLC), actress Victoria Wallace(Pillow Talk), director, writer, & producer Kashif Boothe(Black Man Stand, Nate & Jamie), and many more.
With Black Talent TV focusing on web series & short films from around the globe, such as Nate & Jamie and The Balcony, it was great to see the U.K. representation at the festival. Creators Boothe & Salmon definitely shined bright with their individual projects.
If YOU weren’t able to attend this year’s Black Web Fest, I suggest you make arrangements to go next year. I predict Black Web Fest 2020 will be nothing short of amazing—with even more innovative panels, networking, and great screenings of wonderful web series & short films. For more information on Black Web Fest, visit the website by clicking HERE.
Photo Credit: Philip Hernandez/Black Talent TV/Black Web Fest