SIFT Members, Bettina Escauriza, Nikki Harmon & Stephanie Malson were all participants in BlackStar’s Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab Cohort – Four emerging, Philadelphia-based Black, Brown and Indigenous filmmakers were selected to participate in a year-long fellowship. Providing the filmmakers access to equipment, funding, and mentorship. BlackStar acted as executive producer on the short films providing feedback on the works in progress and advice for working with crew; while Xfinity provided a major portion of the funding for production.
The 4 films screened Sunday, August 7th 3pm in person | 4pm Virtually.
They are now available to watch on the Black Experience Xfinity Channel
TONIGHT, WE EAT FLOWERS
Director Bettina Escauriza Producer Nikki Harmon
Centers on a person who sells hold music to companies, employing magical realism and the absurd to disrupt expectations. Wonderfully off-kilter and deliciously romantic!
Leads: Taysha Marie Canales & Jaime J. Hernandez
Filmmaker, Bettina and Producer, Nikki were interviewed by SIFT’s Social Media Manager, LeAnne on IG Live prior to the screening – Click image to view video
Bettina was also interviewed as part of Tinsel & Tine’s 5 Questions for Indie Filmmakers. Click below image for full interview
OURIKA!- Director Xenia Matthews Producer Stephanie Malson
Utilizes surrealism, animation, and multimedia elements to further the ongoing conversation on the colonization of Black women’s bodies in art and material culture. A sci-fi odyssey of rebirth with a social commentary on idolization.
Filmmaker, Xenia and Producer, Stephanie were interviewed by SIFT’s Social Media Manager, LeAnne on IG Live prior to the screening – Click image to view video
Xenia was also interviewed as part of Tinsel & Tine’s 5 Questions for Indie Filmmakers. Click below image for full interview
Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab Fellows Q&A Excerpts
SIFTER Nadine Patterson with her friend Rea Tajiri whose documentary WISDOM GONE WRONG premiered, Co-presented by ITVS and Leeway Foundation.
SIFTER Tatiana Bacchus and daughter Leilani heading into screening of JASMINE IS A STAR directed by Jo Rochelle
Click images for videos
Any SIFTERS with additional pictures from BSFF22, please send to LeAnne tinseltine@gmail.com. Thanks!
ORIGINAL POST – SIFT HAPPY HOUR DURING BSFF22
SIFTER HAPPY HOUR WELCOME CREW:
(lft to rt) M. Asli Dukan, Nadine Patterson, Bettina Escauriza
Philadelphia’s BlackStar Film Festival Runs Aug 3-7, 2022
A number of SIFTERS plan to attend screenings and events during the festival.
We look forward to meeting up with each other and meeting other filmmakers and attendees in the city on Thurs, August 4th 4:30pm- 6:30pm at City Tap House in University City ( The Radium 3925 Walnut Street, Phila, PA 19104).
Sisters in Film & Television - SIFTMEDIA 215 