The Black Women Film Network (BWFN) celebrates 26 years of Black women in film and television. The 23rd annual BWFN Short Film Festival will be held on May 6 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at MODEx Studio in Atlanta. The festival features short films are either written, produced, directed, or starred in by a Black woman. Out of hundreds of submissions, eight shorts were selected and will be judged by a jury.
“It’s an honor to showcase the work of so many talented filmmakers from around the world,” said festival director Mercendez Springer. “This year’s selections are imaginative, intense, and at times, hilarious. We never know what we’re going to get, but we usually end up with an amazing array of films that’s reflective of the creativity and masterful storytelling of Black women.”
This year’s eight shorts were selected out of hundreds of submissions and will be judged by a jury that includes Elon Johnson (Head of Development, Tyler Perry Studios) and Aanch Khaneja (Head of Film & TV, SuperSpecial).
Here’s a look at this year’s projects
“UNEXPECTED”
The short film is an untold story of two heroes, Masonia Traylor, and Ci Ci Covin as they create an underground network of women helping women cope with and survive an HIV diagnosis in the rural South. The film is produced by Abbott Elementary star, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and directed by Zeberiah Newman.
“LOOK BACK AT IT”
Directed by Felicia Pride, the film takes note from How Stella Got Her Groove Back and follows a forty-something single mother who gets her groove back with a little assistance from her teenage daughter.
“SUMMER”
Shannon Dean directed the film about the last day of summer break and a young girl’s determination to enjoy every last minute. But danger is ahead and jeopardize the innocence of her childhood.
“WELCOME TO AFROTREE”
The Chase Parker-directed film follows Steven and Janet are fed up with gentrification, whitewashing, and code-switching in the big city. They move to Afrotree, an experimental, gated community populated by only African-American residents but realize the grass isn’t always greener, even when Black-owned.
“A LITTLE CHILLI”
Esosa Ighodaro directed the film about three generations of Nigerian women in Ireland. EDUGIE (60s), the grandmother, who grew up in Nigeria. ADESUWA (40s), the mother, who moved to Ireland as child. ISOKEN (18), the daughter, who was born and raised in Ireland. They all lean on each other despite their differences.
“BRIEF EXCHANGES”
Ashley Versher directed the film that follows Tanya, a young Black woman living in NYC. After a harsh encounter with a drunken stranger, Tanya lands on the same street corner as Troy, a young Black man whose kindness stands in sharp contrast to the unfriendly city. Their chance encounter becomes a daylong affair of flirtatious banter.
“WITH SALT”
In the Phyllis Toben Bancroft-directed film, an ambitious college student’s impromptu date takes an unexpected turn, silence is easier, but it comes at a cost.
“WHITE WASHED”
Directed by Raven Carter, the film follows Nicholas after losing his father to racial hate, forcing him and his family to view racial hate in a different way.
