Black Cinema Information From Charlotte....

Since I am interested in all things North Carolina at the present time, I was looking at The Charlotte Greasy Guide and came upon a couple of interesting tidbits....

The Pan African Film Festival:

America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has announced that it will extend its call for accepting film submissions for their 16th Annual signature event taking place February 7-18, 2008 in Los Angeles. Until October 5, the PAFF is accepting submissions of independent features, shorts, narratives, and documentary films made by or about people of African descent. Submissions postmarked between July 16 and October 5 must be accompanied by a $40 submission fee for shorts (less than 70 minutes) and a $50 submission fee for features (70 minutes or more). Submission fees for submissions made after the October 5 deadline are $65 for shorts and $75 for features. In addition, the PAFF is accepting applications for vendors for its Artist Market. Along with its film festival, the PAFF presents one of America’s largest fine art shows featuring prominent and emerging black artists and fine crafts at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Applications are available via the PAFF website at www.paff.org or by calling (323) 295-1706.

From I.W.: For all of you aspiring filmakers, etc., the Pan African Film Festival is very high profile, and attended by a slew of Black Hollywood and executives...get busy with your submission. Found this as well:

Where In The World is Nollywood?

For years, people in the global film industry have chosen to ignore a very vibrant business that is said to have become a multi-billion dollar asset. Why have we not heard of Nollywood like India’s Bollywood or America’s Hollywood?

The answer might be as simple as the fact that “Nollywood” was created from nothing in the African Nation of Nigeria. It seems that the promotion of an idea that something other than hungry children with swollen bellies and flies swarming around them coming out of Africa is not very newsworthy. To know that Africa is open for business and very viable could show a sense of independence from African people that could very well change perceptions.

African Entertainment has been huge business and in the United States, online properties like Palmwine radio and Naijalife Magazine are among some of those keeping up with this massive industry. New York recently played host to the Nigerian Entertainment Awards saluting both main stream and grassroots Nigerian born entertainers from all aspects of the industry. There is even a documentary entitled “This Is Nollywood,” promising to give insight into this booming multi-billion dollar enterprise.

“Hala Gorani and Jeff Koinange formerly of CNN, report that Nollywood is churning out some 200 “home videos” every month to become the third largest in the world after the United States and India (visit cnn.com/transcripts and isop.ucla.edu). In just 13 years, Nollywood has grown from nothing into an industry that employs thousands of people.”

Nollywood, along with my direct links to the continent have moved me to begin a new category, “From The Africa Files” where you will be able to find relevant information from and about the continent. Hopefully, these posts will help YOU identify new opportunities!

So, Folks, welcome to NOLLYWOOD!