The Blackhouse Foundation provides a physical gathering venue at the world's most prominent film festivals and encourages black presence and participation through a number of initiatives. Since 2006, the organization has grown to work with four major festivals – Sundance, Tribeca, LA Film Festival, and Toronto.
Anyone who's participated in the film festival circuit should understand why we've followed this organization with interest. Screening at major festivals is one of the best ways for filmmakers to get exposure and eventually secure distribution, which allows wider audiences to see our films, and also allows us to not go broke and continue making more films. So to have an advocate working directly with the film festivals to create more opportunities for black filmmakers is a very impactful thing.
So if you've ever bemoaned the lack of great black films/filmmakers, here's an organization you can get behind.
As the Toronto International Film Festival begins this week, the Blackhouse returns with a slate of events over the weekend including a Festival Brunch, Canadian Production Workshop, and a panel on Black Films in the Global Marketplace.
Find event details below. For more info on The Blackhouse visit their website HERE, and find our interview with Blackhouse Chair Brickson Diamond HERE.
Saturday, September 8
11:00am
Blackhouse Festival Brunch
TIFF Lounge – Second Floor, TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King Street West, Toronto, ON
12:00pm
"Black Films in the Global Marketplace – Selling Success" Panel
TIFF Lounge
Second Floor – TIFF Bell Lightbox
Expanding the traditional understandings of how black cinema plays and sells in international markets from the perspective of professionals and filmmakers successfully distributing black content around the world.
Panelists:
Nikkole Denson-Randolph, AMC Theatres/Entertainment
Amal Elwardi, IM Global
Mary Hill, Imagination Worldwide
Elizabeth Powell, IM Global
Sudz Sutherland, Director, HOME AGAIN
Brickson Diamond, The Blackhouse Foundation, Moderator
Sunday, September 9
11:00am
TIFF Bell Lightbox – 2nd Floor Lounge
"Canadian Production Workshop – Ins and Outs of Shooting in Canada." Exploring the incredible advantages of filming in Canada, advancing production goals and transforming the landscape for black Canadian crew.
Panelists:
Karyn Edwards, Brightlight Pictures
Jennifer Holness, Producer, HOME AGAIN
Charles Officer, Director, 100 MUSICIANS
Elizabeth Powell, IM Global
