Thursday, February 24, 2005
Cultures Collide - Day Two
This is the second day of the inaugural (ATH) film festival, Cultures Collide . The festival opened Tuesday night to rave reviews. No need to worry though, the best is yet to come.
In the remaining two days ATH fans and friends can catch more multi-cultural films meet filmmakers, attend an industry panel and listen to a live reading (free) of a screenplay in development. Activities begin each night at 7pm in The Great Room of the South Oxford Space, 138 South Oxford Street, located in the arts community of Fort Greene (near downtown Brooklyn, NY).
On Friday February 25th, a panel of industry professionals will provide insight into the art of independent filmmaking. The festivities conclude on Saturday, February 26th with an awards presentation and a tribute to Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry, a "Community Treasure".
Films featured in Cultures Collide include: Train Ride (Wood Harris, MC Lyte with Esther Rolle’s last film performance), Bringin’ in Da Spirit (poignant documentary about midwifery) and Sangam (international award-winning film featured in Sundance 2004). Panelists include: cinematographer Larry Banks (Juice, Strapped, The Substitute 2), actor/director Arthur French (Broadway, Kinsey, Malcolm X), and Emmy Award winning editor, Howard Tate (Senior Editor & Producer NBC Universal Television).
Proceeds from the festival go towards the production of Seasons, the American Theatre of Harlem’s annual one-act play festival which gives voice to talented playwrights, directors, and actors of color. 2005 marks the third year for this highly anticipated theatrical event.
For more information about the festival or schedule, visit ATH on the web at Americantheatreofharlem.org or contact Keith Johnston at (718) 857-2783.
In the remaining two days ATH fans and friends can catch more multi-cultural films meet filmmakers, attend an industry panel and listen to a live reading (free) of a screenplay in development. Activities begin each night at 7pm in The Great Room of the South Oxford Space, 138 South Oxford Street, located in the arts community of Fort Greene (near downtown Brooklyn, NY).
On Friday February 25th, a panel of industry professionals will provide insight into the art of independent filmmaking. The festivities conclude on Saturday, February 26th with an awards presentation and a tribute to Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry, a "Community Treasure".
Films featured in Cultures Collide include: Train Ride (Wood Harris, MC Lyte with Esther Rolle’s last film performance), Bringin’ in Da Spirit (poignant documentary about midwifery) and Sangam (international award-winning film featured in Sundance 2004). Panelists include: cinematographer Larry Banks (Juice, Strapped, The Substitute 2), actor/director Arthur French (Broadway, Kinsey, Malcolm X), and Emmy Award winning editor, Howard Tate (Senior Editor & Producer NBC Universal Television).
Proceeds from the festival go towards the production of Seasons, the American Theatre of Harlem’s annual one-act play festival which gives voice to talented playwrights, directors, and actors of color. 2005 marks the third year for this highly anticipated theatrical event.
For more information about the festival or schedule, visit ATH on the web at Americantheatreofharlem.org or contact Keith Johnston at (718) 857-2783.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Color of February
Black History Week - - now Black History Month -- began in 1926 as an annual celebration of African-American history, culture, survival and triumph during the month of Feburary. Elissa Haney wrote an excellent article entitled The History of Black History the describes the background and genesis of the holiday.
According to Ms. Haney, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African-American scholar born to former slaves, became disturbed to learn history books pretty much ignored the black American experience and contributions to the country's historical record. The only time blacks were mentioned, the remarks appeared derogatory, branding blacks or colored people, as a sub-rate, sub-culture of the larger American mainstream. To bring about attention, and in large part respect, to black tradition and culture, Dr. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926.
Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Even after Dr. Woodson's original decision, other events in the month made February the natural choice to celebrate African-Anerican history and culture. The timeline:
February 23, 1868:W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
February 3, 1870:The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
February 25, 1870:The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
February 12, 1909:The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
February 1, 1960:In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
February 21, 1965:Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
According to Ms. Haney, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African-American scholar born to former slaves, became disturbed to learn history books pretty much ignored the black American experience and contributions to the country's historical record. The only time blacks were mentioned, the remarks appeared derogatory, branding blacks or colored people, as a sub-rate, sub-culture of the larger American mainstream. To bring about attention, and in large part respect, to black tradition and culture, Dr. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926.
Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Even after Dr. Woodson's original decision, other events in the month made February the natural choice to celebrate African-Anerican history and culture. The timeline:
February 23, 1868:W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
February 3, 1870:The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
February 25, 1870:The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
February 12, 1909:The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
February 1, 1960:In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
February 21, 1965:Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
The 2005 ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS®
THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Jamie Foxx / RAY - Ray Charles Universal Pictures
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Hilary Swank / MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Maggie Warner Bros.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Morgan Freeman / MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Scrap Warner Bros.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett / THE AVIATOR - Katharine Hepburn Miramax Films
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
SIDEWAYS Fox Searchlight Pictures
Thomas Haden Church - Jack
Paul Giamatti - Miles
Virginia Madsen - Maya
Sandra Oh - Stephanie
For more go to the SAG press release.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Jamie Foxx / RAY - Ray Charles Universal Pictures
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Hilary Swank / MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Maggie Warner Bros.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Morgan Freeman / MILLION DOLLAR BABY - Scrap Warner Bros.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett / THE AVIATOR - Katharine Hepburn Miramax Films
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
SIDEWAYS Fox Searchlight Pictures
Thomas Haden Church - Jack
Paul Giamatti - Miles
Virginia Madsen - Maya
Sandra Oh - Stephanie
For more go to the SAG press release.
