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A BLACK FILM SPACE SYMPOSIUM

STORYTELLING BY GENRE

NEW YORK CITY | SEPTEMBER 20TH & 21ST

Join Black Film Space for a weekend symposium as we explore diverse narrative techniques and genre-specific storytelling in TV and cinema through panels, workshops, and discussions led by industry professionals and experts. This event will provide valuable insights and inspiration for filmmakers to enhance their craft and understanding of storytelling across genres.

SUPER EARLY BIRD PRICE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST 23RD, 11:59PM ET.

THIS EVENT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SPONSORED BY

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, SEPt 20th - Opening Night party

Time: 6 to 11PM

Location: Diamantes - 410 8th Ave (btw. 30th and 31st)

SATURDAY, Sept 21st - Full DAY OF PANELS & WORKSHOPS

Time: 12pm to 10:30pm

Location: The Sheen Center - 18 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012 (btw. Elizabeth St & Mott St)

11:30 AM - Doors Open

12:00 PM - Directing Actors Live Workshop

1:30 PM - Directors Blueprint - Prepping for Comedy & Drama

3:00 PM - The Art of Writing Movies for Television

4:00 PM - Complimentary Lunch

5:15 PM - Past, Present & Afrofuture of TV & Film

6:45 PM - The State of Comedy

8:30 PM - Logline & Pitch Competition (sponsored by cliveRd.)

PANELISTS & SPECIAL gUESTS

Check out our esteemed panelists. Click the + sign to learn more about each speaker.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY

An evening of mixing and mingling to kickstart our weekend in partnership w/ Afrofuture and sponsored by Giant Pictures & Perrier.

Hosted by Mc Lolahstic. Sounds by DJ Mohogany. Guest DJ set by Talib Kweli.

DirectING ACTORS LIVE WORKSHOP - HORROR & DRAMA

Join TV writer/director Patrick Coker (BET's Tales, CROW HILL: Tomorrow Never Ends, CBS’ East New York) for a live workshop where he directs actors through horror and drama scenes in real time, bringing the art of screen acting to life.

Directors Blueprint - Prepping for Comedy & Drama

Join us for Director's Blueprint: Prepping for Comedy & Drama, where Zoey Martinson (Hulu’s Bite Sized Halloween, A24’s Ziwe) will explore the essential steps and techniques for directing in these genres, complete with a slideshow detailing the director’s vision behind select scenes.

The Art of Writing Movies for Television

This panel explores the craft of writing compelling TV movies across genres, from thrillers to holiday films, offering valuable insights from experienced screenwriters Eric Dickens (BET+’s The Deadly Getaway) & Chad Quinn (TV One’s Love to Death). Moderated by Kiki McKnight (TV One’s Bad Dad Rehab)

Past, Present & Afrofuture of TV & Film

Join us for a panel that transports you through the past, present, and Afrofuture of film and TV. In this discussion, we explore the origins of Afrofuturism and how it continues to help Black people imagine new futures through the intersections of culture, science, and spirituality. Panelists include Zainab Jah (IFC Film’s Farewell Amor), Chelsea Odufu (Experimental Filmmaker & Photographer), & Terry Marshall (Executive Creative Director & Cultural Organizer). Moderated by Tiffany Bender-Abdallah (Head of Special Projects, Afrofuture).

The State of Comedy

During this lively panel discussion we will explore the current trends, challenges, and future of the genre in various formats. Featuring Meredith Dawson (Co-EP on Paramount+’s Everybody Still Hates Chris), Sachi Ezuri (Vice President of Adult Animation for Paramount Global) & Sam Jay (HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, Peacock’s Bust Down).

Logline Pitch Competition (Sponsored by CliverD)

Black Film Space is partnering with cliveRd, an agile startup studio focused on producing and building projects focused on futurism, for a Logline and Pitch Competition. Five filmmakers will pitch a panel of judges for a chance to win $1,500 towards their production budget for projects in any narrative format or genre! This event is part panel, part competition and part mixing and mingling.

Judges/Panelists include Sean Charles (Scripted & Unscripted Development & Production Manager at ALLBLK/WE tv), Casey Baron (Jury for NewFest, Brooklyn Horror Film Festival) & Cynthia Francillion (Film Development Executive).

PITCH COMPETITION

Black Film Space is partnering with cliveRd, an agile startup studio focused on producing and building projects focused on futurism, for a Logline and Pitch Competition. We are seeking innovative ideas from our participants to pitch to a panel of judges for a chance to win $1,500 towards their production budget for projects in any narrative format or genre!

You must purchase a ticket to either the Pitch Competition ($15), Saturday Pass, or Weekend Pass to be considered for the competition.

You will recieve a link to submit your logline in the registration confirmation e-mail. Extended and Final deadline Wednesday, September 4th, 11:59PM ET.

Please note: The application only requires you to submit your name, logline, and high quality photo of yourself.

From the logline submissions, we will choose 5 finalists to pitch and compete for the $1,500 grant on September 21st, 8:30pm.

The top 5 finalists will be notified on Monday, September 9th and announced on Wednesday, September 11th.

5 Finalists must Prepare a 6 page deck to pitch in front of an audience and our judges. Each finalist will have up to 5 minutes to pitch their project.

Pitch decks must include:

• Cover Page

• Project Summary

• Portfolio/Former Projects

• Mood Board

• Team

• Why Us (Why are you the right filmmaker to make this film?)

The winner will be announced at the end of the session. Funds will be released within 14 business days following the symposium.

Pitch Competition Session Schedule

8:30pm - Panel on how to improve your pitch with our judges

9:15pm - Pitch Competition

10:00pm - Mixing and Mingling

TICKET PRICES

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