For Immediate Release:

Contact: QBC Press

Press@queerblackcinema.org

www.queerblackcinema.org

The 2nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival winners, presented by GMAD curated by Angel L. Brown, announced the honorees for the Cheryl Dunye First Womyn Award, The Isaac Julien Experimental Award and the QBC Centerpiece Film Award categories.  The three-day festival was held October 16-18 in Harlem, New York; wrapping up on October 18 with the New York premiere of AnaCostia, produced by the creator of The Velocity Magazine Awards, Anthony Anderson. Both Anthony Anderson and the Cast & Crew were in attendance followed by an exclusive Q&A. We screened 15 films this year. We are the longest standing Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) film festival in New York dedicated to the exhibition of socially conscious independent cinema about the Black LGBTQ experience by LGBTQ and straight people of African descent.

The 2nd Annual Queer Black Cinema Film Festival honorees are:

The Cheryl Dunye First Womyn Award

For Writing & Directing

MISSISSIPPI DAMNED (US)

Tina Mabry

The Cheryl Dunye First Womyn Award

For Editing & Producing

MISSISSIPPI DAMNED (US)

Morgan Stiff

The Isaac Julien Experimental Award

For Creative Out of the Box Filmmaking

Revolutions (US)

Zulema Griffin & Sherie L. Weldon

QBC INT’L FILM FEST CENTERPIECE FILM
for Outstanding Filmmaking

FAMILY (US)

Faith Trimel

Honorable Mention

QBC Classic: Storme: The Lady Of The Jewel Box (US) directed by Michelle Parkerson

QBC DVD Highlight: Finding Me (US) directed by Roger S. Omeus, Jr.

QBC First Works: She Wasn’t Last Night (US) directed by Daris Jones

Short: B.D WOMAN (UK) directed by Campbell X

“On behalf of the Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival and our Presenting Sponsor GMAD, I proudly congratulate the outstanding honorees of the Festival’s 2^nd annual competition,” said Angel L. Brown, founder of Queer Black Cinema.  “Queer Black Cinema aim to recognize and support socially conscious film works by and about the Black LGBT Experience. It is important the artist know they are supported, greatly appreciated and well needed.” Support Queer Black Cinema continues their mission by donating to the I WANT MY QBC campaign. www.queerblackcinema.org

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As a space that is intended to give voice to the queer black community, this year the Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival will also being shedding light on issues directly effecting the Queer communities of color. On Saturday, October 17th 3:00-5:00pm film festival will be having a tribute rally to remember queer youth of color who have been killed as a result of hate crimes throughout the country, as well as to shed light on the impact of hate-based violence in our community. The rally will take place in the center of Harlem at Maysles Cinema (Malcolm X Blvd/ Lenox Ave. between 127th & 128th Street – Harlem, NY) and will include queer youth of color organizations in the New York area, tribute performances, speakers, multimedia presentation and a march around the Block in remembrance of the Fallen Angels. Following the Tribute is a Queer Youth of Color Screening of Christopher Street by Dwight O’Neal & Steven Emmanuel.

Directions: Take the 2 or 3 to 125th street. Walk two short blocks on Malcolm X to 127th street (across from Syliva’s Restaurant)

Closing Film Oct 18th 1 PM

The 2nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival sponsored by Gay Men Of African Descent. The festival will take place October 16- 18 at the National Black Theater & Maysles Cinema. Below is the screening schedule and list of events including the Black LGBT Film & Book Market information.

Please take the time to read over and send out to your listserv. Your support is greatly appreciate. VIP All ACCESS PASSES with limited edition silk screened commemorative festival bags are available online for purchase and individual tickets.  The Film & Book Market is Free with your purchase of a ticket and/or VIP Pass or $2 without.

We have a great line up of films & Book Readings with special invited guest.  See complete schedule at www.queerblackcinema.org. Thank you for your support!

Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE

Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125) RUSH TICKETS ONLY

OCTOBER 16-18 Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival 2009 Curated by Angel L. Brown Tickets: $12 – $20|info@queerblackcinema.org|mailing list: qbcfilmseries@yahoogroups.com|www.queerblackcinema.org

Octo  October16/Opening Night 6 PM Reception/7 PM Film| MISSISSIPPI DAMNED | Tina Mabry| USA| 120 Mins| 2009

What’s swept under the rug rarely stays hidden. Taking place in 1986 and 1998 and based on a true story, three poor, black kids in rural Mississippi suffer the consequences of their family’s cycle of abuse, addiction, and violence. They independently struggle to escape their circumstances and must decide whether to confront what has plagued their family for generations or succumb to the same crippling fate, forever damned in Mississippi. Wine & Cheese Cake Reception| $20 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6

October 16/ 9PM/Vintage Families of Value |Directed by Thomas Allen Harris|1995|Doc
Vintage is an experimental documentary which looks at three African American families through the eyes of lesbian and gay siblings – including the filmmaker and his younger brother. Three groups of queer siblings use video cameras to articulate the multiple stories that co-exist within the space of family, negotiating sexuality as a point of departure to explore these relationships. Vintage crosses the boundaries of truth, gender, time and power to create a collective and autobiographical portrait of modern American families.
QBC Classic is a series that wish to re-introduce and re-examine the work of pioneer Black LGBT filmmakers and their works.
This film is sponsored by Third World News Reel and Thomas Allen Harris|$12 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125

October 17/10AM – 11:15AM| MASTER CLASS WITH MAISHA AZADI| $20 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125

October 17/11:30AM – 12:45PM| FILM SERIES/ FESTIVAL THE NEW THEATRICAL RELEASE:Tips on using festivals screened world wide MODERATED BY Moikgantsi Kgama (Executive Director of ImageNation) Confirmed Panelist – Aaron Ingram – Executive Director of ActNow Foundation | Angel L. Brown – Executive Director/Producer Queer Black Cinema| $12 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125

October 17/ 12: 30 AM |HARLEM: Shorts Showcase sponsored by Women Make Movies

Take The Gay Train | dir. Robert Philipson | USA| 14min. | 2008 Gay sensibility during the Harlem Renaissance is charted through a poetic use of historical stills, contemporary filmmaking, scholarly accuracy, and music of the period.|

B.D Woman |dir. Campbell X|UK| 20Mins | 1994 B.D. WOMEN is a wonderful celebration of the history and culture of Black lesbians. Lively interviews feature Black women talking candidly about their sexual and racial identities. These contemporary views are cleverly interwoven with a dramatized love story, set in the 1920s, in which a sultry romance develops between a gorgeous jazz singer and her stylish butch lover. B.D. WOMEN rewrites the vanished history of Black lesbians’ lives in an eloquent and entertaining way.

Storme: The Lady of The Jewel Box |dir. Michelle Parkerson |USA| 21 mins| 1987 |“It ain’t easy…being green” is the favorite expression of Storme DeLarverie, a woman whose life flouted prescriptions of gender and race. During the 1950’s and 60’s she toured the black theater circuit as a mistress of ceremonies and the sole male impersonator of the legendary Jewel Box Revue, America’s first integrated female impersonation show and forerunner of La Cage aux Folles. The multiracial revue was a favorite act of the Black theater circuit and attracted mixed mainstream audiences from the 1940s through the 1960s, a time marked by the violence of segregation. Parkerson finds Storme in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood, now working as a bodyguard at a women’s bar and still singing in her deep silky voice with an “all girl” band. Through archival clips from the past, STORME looks back on the grandeur of the Jewel Box Revue and its celebration of pure entertainment in the face of homophobia and segregation. Storme herself emerges as a remarkable woman, who came up during hard times but always “kept a touch of class.”Q&A with director Robert Philipson|$12 www.queerblackcinema.org | Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125) RUSH TICKETS ONLY $5 youth/Seniors |$12 Adults

October 17/1 PM| ZULEMA GRIFFIN’S(Project Runway Season 2) FILM SHOWCASE – REVOLUTIONIZING FASHION THROUGH FILMS| Dir. Zulema Griffin|Special Film/Fashion |Documentary Ink Bleach featuring Coco Mitchell|Revolutions|Cyclical Mode Q&A with Zulema|$12 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125St

October 17/4:50 PM| FINDING ME| FINDING ME:TRUTH exclusive clips | Roger S. Omeus Jr| USA| 115 mins.| 2008

Faybien Allen (RayMartell Moore) sorely lacks direction in life. His overbearing, homophobic father certainly doesn’t help his self-esteem, but life takes a sharp turn when Faybien is hit on by Lonnie (Derrick L. Briggs), the hunky, self-assured guy he keeps encountering at the bus stop. This is great news to close friends Greg (Eugene Turner), a down-to-earth and upbeat bisexual, and Amera (J’Nara Corbin), a sassy “honorary gay man.” Not everyone is such a good influence, however. Greg’s new roommate, Jay (Maurice Murrell), is downright shady, and could be the type of person Faybien becomes if he makes the wrong decisions now. Can Faybien finally come to peace with his relationships with his father and the uber-flirtatious (and hot) Lonnie? A true labor of love shot on a shoestring budget over the course of a dozen weekends, Finding Me marks the discovery of a promising and humanistic new talent.This screening is sponsored by TLA Releasing | OME Productions, LLC | Q&A with Roger S. Omeus Jr. | $15 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125st.

October 17/ 5 PM | Queer Youth of Color Cinema Series presents Christopher Street | Steven E. Martinez, Dwight O’Neal|USA60 mins| 2009|Christopher Street is a new independently produced gay television series. The show shares the lives of Chris and his diverse group of friends Jharemy, Ashton, and Shawn. These young men deal with troubles that range from relationship issues, sexual identity, self-love, abuse, HIV/AIDS, and acceptance not only from the world, but from themselves.Q&A with Dwight O’ Neal & Steven E. Martinez |Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125) RUSH TICKETS ONLY $5 youth/Seniors |$12 Adults

October 17/ 7:15 Music Performance/7:30 PM Film|Special live performance by Out Music Executive Director/Recording Artist, Deepa Soul singing two songs featured in FAMILY the movie. Both songs will be on her new album “EGO TRIPPIN” |FAMILY | Faith Trimel | USA| 109 min| 2008 “A group of 30-something lesbians, friends through much already, make a pact to finally come out. The idea is greeted with varying degrees of enthusiasm but, after a series of eye-opening incidents that throw the effects of not coming out into sharp relief, they go to it with surprising results. The film’s spirit rises from the breadth of lesbian experience on show – from the butch basketball sports star with the homophobic agent to the shy doctor with the evangelical family to the actress to the hot, curvy hairdresser (with the er, boyfriend) – and the sense of fun, humour and family that ultimately holds the women together. Q&A with Faith Trimel | $20 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125st.

October17/9 PM | SHE WASN’T LAST NIGHT|Dir. Daris Jones |88 mins |USA|Beautiful activist Shantel Crockett is slammed by drama as her relationship with young Reyna begins to crumble. As Reyna’s dance career goes nowhere, she flounders for something to hold on to. To make matters worse, charming player Jack (Jaqueline) is determined to make Reyna hers…if only for one night. Shantel is forced to face Reyna’s despair and decide what kind of life she wants for herself

Legacy|Dir. Campbell X |17 mins|UK / Caribbean |2006|Legacy is the award-winning single screen video installation exploring the effects of slavery on intimate relationships in Black families several generations after abolition.| $12 www.queerblackcinema.org |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125st.

October 18 1PM|CLOSING FILM: ANACOSTIA  (NEW YORK PREMIERE)|dir. Anthony Anderson | Web/TV Series| 80| USA|2009 From the Writer and Producer of the award winning Independent Film The Ties That Bind comes an independent web series like no other. ANACOSTIA the series follows the lives of four friends as they navigate through Love, Deceit, Betrayal, Sex and Death with a season finale that will leave your mouths open. This 13 episode series will be filmed on location in several areas including Washington DC, Landover Maryland, Baltimore Maryland, Virginia and New York City.

Catch up with episodes 3 & 4 and see the exclusive world premiere of episode 5. The director and cast will be in attendance Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125) RUSH TICKETS ONLY $15

ABOUT: Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival is a progressive socially conscious film festival that will bring you the best Black LGBTQ theme films from around the world. The four-day festival consists of not only groundbreaking films but also panel discussions with industry professionals and community leaders followed including a Black LGBTQ Film & Book Market.

QBC Int’l Film Festival is an entity of Queer Black Cinema, New York’s first and only Black LGBTQ monthly micro-cinema. Since the 2006 launch of the film series, the organization has expanded into several projects: QBC College Film Tour, Just|BE Black Gay Erotica 72 hour Poetry & Film Competition on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness and Fades Of Black Women Film Showcase, honoring Black Lesbians Women. For more info on the project including volunteering, log on to: qbcfilmseries@yahoogroups.com | www.queerblackcinema.org

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October 17/ 11AM – 7 PM| The Black LGBT Film & Book Market:NYC@ The QBC Int’l Film Festival. FREE MARKET ENTRANCE w/ your purchase of a movie ticket/Brunch Panel and/or
VIP All Access Festival Pass OR pay only $2 (Market only) $12 www.TheBlackLGBTFilmBookMarket.com |Theater 1-The National Black Theatre | 2031-33  Fifth Ave.(Btwn 125th & 126th St.) Harlem, NY |TRAINS: 4,5,6 to 125st.

* Reading Presentation by Author, Rodney Loften* Special Film Trailer by Special Filmmaker & Cast* Film & Book Trailers played throughout the Market* DVD & Book Raffles every hour* Free Swerv Magazines (October ‘09 Issue)* Various Filmmakers and Authors vendors plus* TWN Distribution Company and others* CD’s Cheese Cake Cafe|

READING SERIES W/ BLACK GAY AUTHORS:

TIME: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM TITLE: Letters to Books/Books to stageplays: Creative Storytelling AUTHORS:Lamar Ariel & Laurinda Brown

TIME: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM|TITLE: The Art of Erotica in it’s Truth AUTHORS: Lee Hayes & Kimberly Q

TIME: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM TITLE: In his own words AUTHOR: Rodney Lofton

TIME: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM TITLE: Finding Me the Movie Talk Back FILMMAKER: Roger & Cast from Finding Me

October 18/ 10AM – 1 PM| BRUNCH W/ QUEER BLACK WRITERS moderated by Thomas Allen Harris|The Black LGBT Film & Book Market:NYC@ The QBC Int’l Film Festival.
VIP All Access Festival Pass OR pay only $2 (Market only)|Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125) RUSH TICKETS ONLY $15 includes brunch (continental Style including Cheese Cake sponsored by CD’s Cheese Cakes, Valerie’s Bed & Breakfast and Jacob’s Resturant) www.TheBlackLGBTFilmBookMarket.com

The mission of the Market is to create opportunities and a safe space for indie filmmakers, authors, distribution companies, publishers and business companies to market their Black and people of color Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-people & Queer (LGBTQ) theme films, books and magazines directly to their audiences. The two day market will premiere at the Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival on October 17-18, 2009. Readings, exclusive trailer screenings and talk backs with authors and filmmakers will take place throughout the market. Special opportunities for market goers to win books, films & various prizes. The Market is expected to travel to major cities throughout the year.

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October 17/3 -5 PM|FALLEN ANGELS: Tribute to lgbt youth of color

“Silence has never brought us anything of worth” -Audre Lorde|SPEAK UP. SPEAK OUT. The QBC International Film Festival will be having a Queer Youth of Color tribute rally to honor those who we have lost to hate crimes, and speak up, and educate the community. We are still looking for Queer youth of Color to come to the mic with poems, songs, or to simply speak their truth featuring the Lavender Light Gospel Choir, Nykiera – Spoken Word Artist, Author, Kenyon Farrow plus more. For more information please contact Chelsea at beats.of.yo.feets@gmail.com|info@queerblackcinema.org followed by Queer Youth Cinema Screening See film schedule. Limited Seats -YOU MUST RSVP to the screening |Theater 2 – Maysles Cinema | 343 Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Avenue (betwn 127th &128th St|TRAINS: 1,2,3,A,C,E to 125)THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE THE THEATER FOLLOWED BY THE MARCH AROUND THE BLOCK.

Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival 2009

New York, NY, September 15^th, 2009 – October is not only coming out month for gays and lesbians but also the 2^nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival presented by Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD). The festival will be held at The National Black Theatre 2031-33 National Black Theatre Way:: Fifth Avenue (Btwn 125th & 126th St) Harlem, NY 10035 and Maysles Cinema 343 Malcolm X Blvd. / Lenox Ave. (betwn 127th & 128th St.) The four-day festival consist of not only groundbreaking films but also panel discussions with industry professionals and community leaders followed by a Gala in honor of Stonewall Activist, Singer and Legendary Male Illusionist, Storme De Laverie. The Gala includes performance by Paris from the classic NYC Ballroom film, Storme De Laverie by Jennie Livingston, Freddy Wright, Melvin as Billie Holiday and introducing Stefon Royce as Storme in “The Jewel within the Box Revue: Harlem Style” directed by Angel L. Brown.  Storme De Laverie will be in attendance. Portions of Gala tickets sells will go towards an organization to be announced that serve women (both gay and straight) and their children victims of  domestic violence.

Since 2006, Queer Black Cinema gives establish and upcoming talent(s) both filmmaker and musicians a plateau to have their craft displayed to the public and this year is no different. Festival favorite R&B recording artist, Tyran Gem will be in attendance as well as Debra Wilson, Co-producer of award winning films: Mississippi Damned (Opening Film), classic film, “Jumping The Broom: A New Covenant” and “Butch Mystique”.  Out Music Executive Director and award winning singer, Deepa Soul will be in attendee as well.   You can currently see Deepa Soul music video in rotation on Logo online Pop Lab. Other guest includes Zulema Griffin (Project Runway Season 2) presenting her fashion to film line live action multimedia piece, “Revelations” and a sneak peek at new Documentary, “Ink Bleach” a film about Black designers followed by centerpiece film, “Family” by Faith Trimel.

This year’s festivities will be filled with some new additions including The Black LGBT Film and Book Market: NYC in conjunction with Our Stories Productions, The E. Lynn Harris Living The Dream Literary Award giving to an emerging published author, and Tribute/Remembrance to LGBT Youth of Color featuring community guest speakers. With special performances by The Lavender Light Gospel Choir, spoken word artist/playwright, Nykieria and a host of others.  The festival will be summed up with Brunch with Queer Black Writers Panel discussion with special invited guest, closing film followed by an Award Ceremony at Maysles Cinema.

Gay Men of African Descent organization will also be providing free and private HIV/AIDS testing Saturday, October 17 starting at 2 PM. All youth who get tested will receive free entrance to the special youth shorts screening happening at Maysles Cinema. GMAD HIV/AIDS Awareness Public Service Announcement Campaign will be screened before every screening. “There are over 300 seats per screening that will be filled between both theaters, I wanted to take this opportunity to enlighten people on HIV/AIDS and that the fight is far from being over particularly within the Black community. The movement continues…”, states Angel L. Brown, Festival producer/programmer. Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival began October 15 – 18, 2009 at The National Black Theatre 2031-33 National Black Theatre Way:: Fifth Avenue (Btwn 125th & 126th St) Harlem, NY 10035 and Maysles Cinema 343 Malcolm X Blvd. / Lenox Ave. (betwn 127th & 128th St.). For more information go to www.queerblackcinema.org | info@queerblackcinema.org

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For more information or to schedule an interview/write up please contact QBC Press at the above address.

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Queer Black Cinema International Film Festival is a progressive socially conscious film festival that will bring you the best Black LGBTQ theme films from around the world. The four-day festival consists of not only groundbreaking films but also panel discussions with industry professionals and community leaders followed including a Black LGBTQ Film & Book Market.

QBC Int’l Film Festival is an entity of Queer Black Cinema, New York’s first and only Black LGBTQ monthly micro-cinema. Since the 2006 launch of the film series, the organization has expanded into several projects:  QBC College Film Tour, Just|BE Black Gay Erotica 72 hour Poetry & Film Competition on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness and Fades Of Black Women Film Showcase, honoring Black Lesbians Women. For more info on the project including volunteering, log on to: www.queerblackcinema.org

Truth Hall New DVD Front Cover

Jade Jenise Dixon was the big winner at Queer Black Cinema Film & Music Festival 2008.  Jade won for Best Narrative Film and Best Sound Track. TRUTH HALL -Some dirty little secrets are about to come out! Riskier and more provocative than Waiting to Exhale, Truth Hall examines the bonds of friendship linking a group of African-American women who were inseparable in college. But now, years after graduation, they reunite for a wedding and find that they have drifted apart. Lingering grudges and long-buried passions from their college days ignite…setting off a firestorm that could stop the wedding and destroy their cherished friendships.  Theaward-winning film stars Karimah Westbrook, Tamara ‘Gingir’ Curry,Celeste A. Sullivan,Nicole Prescott and writer, director, producer Jade Dixon.  Bet calls her, “THE NEXT TYLER PERRY.” The award-winning soundtrack includes music by Lina and America Idol Trenyce. Don’t sleep on the sound track; trust me, it is as good as the film if not better. You can truly play the soundtrack from the beginning to the end without any interruptions.  Check out samples of each song at www.truthhallthemovie.com.

Truth Hall DVD and soundtrack  is now available on DVD and digital download.  Be sure to check out The Black LGBT Film & Music Market: NYC and enter a chance to win a free copy of TRUTH HALL  courtesy of Image Entertainment and HBO Home Video October 17th.

If you are in the PA area, check out REEL BLACK presents a screening of Truth Hall September 18th…

WHAT: Soul Food Cinema Presents TRUTH HALL

Reel Black Presents...

WHERE: The Point of Destination Cafe, 6460 Greene Street (Above the Upsal R8 train station) Philadelphia, PA 19119  215-849-7771.
WHEN: Friday September 18, 2009 doors 6:30 / Show 7pm
COST: FREE w/ Purchase of a Soul Food Friday Meal ($11 and up.)
Reelblack’s Soul Food Cinema Series returns to The Point Of Destination Cafe on Friday September 18 at 7PM with the Philly Premiere and DVD release celebration for TRUTH HALL, written, Directed and Starring Jade Jenise Dixon. Feature will be preceded by the short film THE STORM by Larry Wright.

Featuring giveaways courtesy Image Entertainment and HBO Home Video.

Courtesy of INSIDE THE Q tv a QBC tv Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2009
For more information about the exhibit please contact:
Angel L. Brown, Curator
info@ospfilms.com

NEW YORK, NY – On Sunday, August 30, 2009 Our Stories Productions in association with Billie’s Black celebrates the opening reception of Gone Too Soon: Black Photographers Tribute to Michael Jackson Photo Exhibit curated by Angel L. Brown from 4 PM to 8 PM. Billie’s Black is located at 271 West 119th Street New York, NY between St. Nicholas Ave. & Frederick Douglass Blvd. All are welcomed to attend the reception and may RSVP by emailing info@ospfilms.com

During the exhibition planning process, Angel L. Brown founder of Our Stories Productions and curator of the photo exhibition as well as one of the photographers reached out to over sixteen Black photographers for this unique exhibition.  Angel was one of many fans who went to the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson after hearing of his untimely death a few hours earlier. “If you were in New York at the time the death of Michael Jackson was announced, The Apollo Theater was one of the majors places to be among other fans.  After a while of feeling sad and depress, a since of joy and happiness came over my body so I started taking pictures with my digital camera. I then notice it was nothing but media outlets, networks and mainly non-people of color professional photographers capturing the moment.   I then turned the camera on to every Black photographer taking photos. It was my way of archiving the moment in it’s truth. “  The project took on a life of it’s own and is now a traveling exhibit and ongoing series archiving a series of events the day of and weeks after Michael Jackson death with a focus on his fans.  “I want to show his family how much we loved and appreciate his talents” states Angel L. Brown.
The opening exhibition will showcase photography by Kwane Brathwaite, Angel L. Brown, Ricky Day, Lisa DuBois, Gloria “Aziza” Lawyer, Joy Malone and Freddy Rumeci.  In addition, there will be mixed media pieces by Angel L. Brown screened throughout the night.

The opening reception is $3 suggested donation and open to the public. All of the photographers are expected at the opening reception.  R&B recording artist Tyran Gem will perform Gone Too Soon with a photo-montage of the fans at the Apollo Theater the day Michael Jackson died. For more information, please contact curator, Angel L. Brown at (646) 209 -6497or visit http://www.GoneTooSoonMJPhotoExhibit.com

About Angel L . Brown

Angel L. Brown is the founder/CEO of Our Stories Productions, a multi-media company that produces progressive socially conscious work that continues to explore, expose, enlighten, and in search of truth, spirituality and healing through various forms of storytelling with a focus in film, television, music and exhibition about but not limiting to the African Diaspora experience. Some work includes The Black season: Shifting focus to women of color on the L word, a showcase of women shorts, musical acts and career highlights of the L word cast. OSP Black Filmmakers Showcase screening award winning films: Allergic To Nuts featuring Vanessa Williams and Yolanda Ross produced by Red Wall productions, Silence: In Search of Black Female Sexuality featuring Little X, Nzingha Stewart, Tricia Rose, Punany Poets and Dr. Rev. Jeremiah Wright produced by Mya B/ Shoot Films Not People Productions; Cinematographer for cross over music video, Rumors for hip-hop artist Maino featuring Lil Kim and Babs directed by Zaire Baptise and QBC International Film & Music Festival 2009 happening at The National Black Theater. Angel has premiered in several printed magazines including Time Out magazine and participated on various panels, guest curated and was a consultant for several film festivals most recently served on the Executive Committee for Jubilation, a New York Black Pride event heading the film showcase; Punkmouse & Princess Warriors Queer Media Conference: Women Submit 2008 with Rose Troche (Showtime L word writer/director); Women of Color Film Festival – Santa Cruz chaired by Angela Y Davis (associated with the Black Panthers, Activist, Professor& Author); ImageNation Film Festival guest curator including QBC College Tour at various Universities and production work in East Africa, South Africa.and.the.United.Kingdom.

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In this July 7, 2008 file photo, author E. Lynn Harris poses in the living room of his home in Atlanta.

On behalf of myself and the Queer Black Cinema team, condolance  and prayers goes out to the family of E. Lynn Harris.  Lynn will be missed. I am truly happy E. Lynn Harris was blessed enough to do what he loved to do and that is write. He went after his dream and was a great success. Thank you for leaving your mark on this earth! Thank you for writing about the Black gay culture in one of the most true lights I have every read. Rest in peace. You are missed already.

In peace,

Angel L. Brown

Executive Producer/Programmer

Queer Black Cinema

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E. Lynn Harris Died At Age 54

digg Huffpost – E. Lynn Harris Died At Age 54 stumble reddit del.ico.us // ShareThis

ERRIN HAINES (Huffington Post)

Harris, 54, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, after being stricken while at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills,Calif., and said a cause of death had not yet been determined, according to his publicist Laura Gilmore. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, file)

Long before the secret world of closeted black gay men came to light in America, bestselling author E. Lynn Harris introduced a generation of black women to the phenomenon known as the “down low.”

Harris endeared such characters to readers who were otherwise unfamiliar with them, using themes and backdrops familiar to urban professionals, conditioned by their upbringings, their church leaders or their friends to condemn and criticize homosexuality in the African-American community. A proud Razorback cheerleader at the University of Arkansas who struggled with his own sexuality before becoming a pioneer of gay black fiction, Harris died Thursday at age 54 while promoting his latest book in Los Angeles.

Publicist Laura Gilmore said Harris died Thursday night after being stricken at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, and a cause of death had not been determined. She said Harris, who lived in Atlanta, fell ill on a train to Los Angeles a few days ago and blacked out for a few minutes, but seemed fine after that.

An improbable and inspirational success story, Harris worked for a decade as an IBM executive before taking up writing, selling the novel “Invisible Life” from his car as he visited salons and beauty parlors around Atlanta. He had unprecedented success for an openly gay black author and his strength as a romance writer led some to call him the “male Terry McMillan.”

In 15 years, Harris became the genre’s most successful author, penning 11 titles, ten of them New York Times bestsellers. More than four million of his books are in print.

McMillan had just spoken to Harris about a week ago, to tell him she would pay tribute to him in her upcoming book by having a character read one of his titles, “And This Too Shall Pass.”

“He was thrilled,” McMillan said. “I loved his spirit and generosity. I loved that he found his own niche in the world of fiction, and I’m grateful to have known him. This just breaks my heart.”

He went on to mainstream success with works such as the novel “Love of My Own” and the memoir “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
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Harris’ storytelling fell into several categories, including gay and lesbian fiction, African American fiction and urban fiction. But he found success in showing readers a new side of African American life: the secret world of professional, bisexual black men living as heterosexuals.

His readers, many of them young black, professional women of dating age, were fascinated and shocked to learn that the men in their lives could be attracted to other men. Harris’ vivid storytelling – at least somewhat grounded in his reality and of others whom he knew – pulled back the curtain for some and held up the mirror for others.

“He was a pioneering voice within the black LGBT community, but also resonated with mainstream communities, regardless of race and sexual orientation,” said Herndon Davis, a gay advocate and a diversity media consultant in Los Angeles. “Harris painted with eloquent prose and revealing accuracy the lives of African American men and the many complicated struggles they faced reconciling their sexuality and spirituality while rising above societal taboos within the black community.”

For years, he was alone in exposing the “down low,” but the phenomenon exploded into mainstream culture in 2004, a decade after “Invisible Life.” That year, J.L. King’s “On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of ‘Straight’ Black Men Who Sleep With Men” hit bookstores and the author appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show.

Harris’ 1994 debut, “Invisible Life,” was a coming-of-age story that dealt with the then-taboo topic.

“If you were African American and you were gay, you kept your mouth shut and you went on and did what everybody else did,” Harris said in an interview last year. “You had girlfriends, you lived a life that your parents had dreamed for you.”

Harris was born in Flint, Mich., in 1955 and raised in Little Rock, Ark. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where he was the school’s first black yearbook editor, the first black male Razorbacks cheerleader and president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He graduated with honors with a degree in journalism.

Harris worked in corporate America for 13 years at IBM, Hewlett-Packard and At&T before quitting a career in sales to become an author. He was not living as an openly gay man when “Invisible Life” was published, and could not acknowledge the parallels between himself and the book.

“People would often ask, ‘Is this book about you?’ I didn’t want to talk about that,” he said. “I wasn’t comfortable talking about it. I would say that this is a work of fiction.”

Harris said that the courage readers got from the book empowered him to be honest about himself. He continued to tell stories dealing with similar issues, to tell black middle class readers about people they knew, but who were living secret lives.

Tilia Parks read “Invisible Life” as a 16-year-old and was moved by the struggle of someone so close to her own age.

“I loved the truthfulness of it,” said Parks, now 26, of Atlanta. “I’d never heard that point of view, of a guy finding himself and his sexuality at such a young age.”

Parks had looked forward to the next plot twist for the book’s main character, Raymond Tyler, who reappeared in subsequent titles has not been in Harris’ more recent works. With Harris’ death, Parks is saddened that his story may be gone.

“Loyal readers were looking for that,” Parks said. “I’m so sad. I was waiting for him to come back around and start talking about Raymond.”

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Associated Press Writers Bob Jablon and Solvej Schou in Los Angeles; AP Writer Michelle Locke in San Francisco; AP Writer Noah Trister in Little Rock, Ark.; and AP National Writer Hillel Italie in New York contributed to this report.

Call for films and multi-media submissions are now open until August 15th. Artist of African descent from around the world are asked to submit their best work.  Submission forms are available for download at www.Festival.queerblackcinema.org. Films without submission forms will not considered.

Music artist must have a single or complete CD available to the public with a link to a video performance online in order to qualify for the festival. For complete rules and qualifications, download submission form at www.Festival.queerblackcinema.org.

SAVE THE DATE: October 15 – 18, 2009
Queer Black Cinema International Film & Music Festival

Maysles Cinema House (Harlem, NY)

July 7th| SUBMISSION FORMS

FILM:

http://issuu.com/queerblackcinema.org/docs/filmentryform2009

MUSIC:

http://issuu.com/queerblackcinema.org/docs/musicsubmissionform2009

RADIO PROMO
http://www.zshare.net/audio/62471331737329ae/

July 7, 2009 IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY (July 5, 2009) – Queer Black Cinema, New York’s first and only Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) monthly films series & annual film festival in partnership with Maysles Cinema house is proud to announce the 2^nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film & Music Festival. The four-day multi-media event will celebrate and award the best independent music and films by and about the LGBTQ/straight people of African descent experience. The festival is set to take place October 15 –18^th 2009 at the newly opened Maysles Cinema House in Harlem, New York and at the Brecht Forum in Chelsea, New York.

Queer Black Cinema first launched in 2006 as New York’s first and only Black LGBTQ monthly micro-cinema, an ongoing platform dedicated to showcasing independent narrative and documentary works by and about the Black LGBTQ experience in a non- stereotypical way. Two years later in 2008, founder Angel L. Brown expanded the brand by launching QBC Int’l Film & Music Festival. The mission is to screen the best films from around the world that creates dialogue-addressing homophobia, alarming health issues, family and overall in-depth storytelling about the Black LGBTQ experience. The Festival also includes workshops and various musical performances.

WHY HARLEM?

Just three years ago in 2006, Angel L. Brown was asked to curate a small section of Black LGBTQ theme films at Imagenation Film Festival in Harlem, New York.  The start of 2009, Queer Black Cinema returned to Harlem with an eight week series, “THE BLACK SEASON: Shifting focus to women of color on the L Word” at the popular intimate restaurant, Billie’s Black.  Most recently, Queer Black Cinema Co-sponsored Homo Harlem: A Film Retrospective at Maysles Cinema House.  Angel L. Brown was then invited to bring the 2^nd Annual Queer Black Cinema International Film & Music Festival 2009 to Harlem at Maysles Cinema House.

“It has always been my dream to produce a film festival highlighting the Black LGBTQ experience in the heart of Harlem. You have some of the most famous Black gay artist that came out of the Harlem Renaissance period and beyond. I aim to continue their legacy by breaking down barriers and creating a safe space for constrictive progressive dialogue through films, music and history”, states Angel L. Brown, QBC Int’l Film & Music Festival founder.

The festival is expected to draw double the numbers from last year over all festival attendance within and beyond the LGBT community.  New to the festival are in/outdoor Film & Book Market, special tribute benefit celebration and workshops.  The festival will return with films from around the world, talk backs, QBC Acoustic Soul Music Media Mixer with live performances, a multi-media out door performance tribute to LGBT youth of color, music concert with some of the most emerging and establish international artist of color ending with an award ceremony on the last day.

Call for films and multi-media submissions are now open until August 15th. Artist of African descent from around the world are asked to submit their best work.  Submission forms are available for download at www.Festival.queerblackcinema.org. Films without submission forms will not considered.

Music artist must have a single or complete CD available to the public with a link to a video performance online in order to qualify for the festival. For complete rules and qualifications, download submission form at www.Festival.queerblackcinema.org.

The showcase will take place October 15 – 18 at Maysles Cinema 343 Malcolm X Boulevard / Lenox Avenue (between 127th and 128th Streets). All inquires including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail info@queerblackcinema.org or via phone 646.209.6497.  For international inquires via skype at QueerBlackCinema.

About Maysles Cinema

The Maysles Cinema, a new non-profit theater in Harlem, is dedicated to the exhibition of documentary film and video. The cinema extends the Maysles Brothers’ principle that the lives of ordinary people not only deserve, but demand, our attention. We aim to foster a democratic viewing experience by selecting and presenting movies in collaboration with independent filmmakers, programmers, critics, local film clubs and organizations.

We work hard to solicit material and programs from amateur video-graphers, “hood” documentarians, street vendors, video store-owners, neighbors and citizen-activists. In addition to presenting the masterworks of the documentary tradition, overlooked or under-distributed gems and new releases, we build a space for meaningful social exchange. We offer a forum for the discussion of questions of social, racial, and economic justice and explore liminal areas of knowledge.

About Queer Black Cinema^®

Queer Black Cinema^® (QBC) is New York’s first and Only Black LGBTQ monthly micro-cinema series and annual international music and film festival mission is dedicated to showcasing independent narrative and documentary works by and about U.S. and international progressive Black LGBTQ filmmakers. We are a socially conscious organization that uses films to create dialogue to address homophobia, alarming health issues and many others “taboo” issues relating to the Black LGBTQ experiences. We provide an online resource to Black LGBTQ theme films and their makers as well as support LGBTQ youth of color emerging producers. In-addition, we screen and promote all people of color artist trailers and original music.  QBC film series takes place once a month at the LGBT Community Center and other locations throughout the New York Metropolitan area. All are welcome to attend regardless of their sexual orientation, race or gender. We aim to entertain, enlighten and educate through our niche programming.  Queer Black Cinema uses MIX NYC Experimental Queer Film Festival, a 501 C3 Not-For-Profit Organization as their fiscal sponsor.

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