With the 81st Annual Academy Awards coming up this Sunday, everyone seems to be a movie critic. Walk through Alpine Bagels and there's a table full of obnoxious, fat frat boys discussing the merits of this film and that film, even the fashion dos and don'ts on the red carpet (see page 7). Often forgotten is that beyond the Oscar glitz and glamour, there are filmmakers leaving their own mark-though it might not be their hand prints on Hollywood Boulevard.
For 14 years, the Hayti Heritage Film Festival, sponsored by the Hayti Heritage Center, has been of those venues where lesser-known filmmakers of African descent have had an opportunity to present their work. It's this opportunity, along with the personal interactions between filmmakers and the public, that festival Co-chair Angela Ray prides herself in being able to offer.
"We set out to be different, to have a community approach," she said. "It's not about certain people walking the red carpet while others stand, waiting afar. It's about the community."
Filmmaker and Duke artist-in-residence Dante James was asked to submit his award-winning film The Doll to the festival. Though previously almost unknown to him, he said he was impressed by the festival's focus.
"I was sort of aware of it but had not actively participated until last year," James said. "But from the very beginning, I was supportive of it because, unfortunately, some of the other film festivals are a bit insular and do not really reach out...[to] minority communities."
Along with James, HHFF has attracted notable industry professionals such as actor Cedric Pendleton and filmmaker Christine Swanson. Known until this year as the Black Diaspora Film Festival, the festival has focused on "works made by and/or about people of African descent," but Hayti President and CEO Dianne Pledger felt that it was time to use this growing popularity to increase its breadth.
"We have, for years, involved films across the black diaspora," Pledger said. "We hope that by changing the name, Hayti Heritage becomes a brand, and the festival is eventually able to include films of other minorities of colors, to expand our reach."
In its 14 years, HHFF has changed not only in name. The film festival has also evolved from a simple one-day viewing session into a four-day weekend showcasing short and feature-length films, workshops and a competition.
HHFF is also introducing the Suntrust Film Challenge. Drawing on vthe difficulties caused by the economic downturn, the competition focuses on films that are "based around the financial issues of today." Here, the filmmakers have an opportunity to have their film screened at the closing awards ceremony and receive a cash reward.
The Suntrust Challenge, along with a Community Film Day, activities for film students, a "Kid's Film Block," inspirational film screenings and an awards ceremony are some of the new attractions that the HHFF has to offer.
So, before you start following E!'s weekend-long coverage of the Oscars, remember what's happening just down the street.
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