Perfect Day @ The 20th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival
*Photo: (Left to Right) Spoken Word Artist, Michael Flowers featured in Parietal Guidance, Lonnie Edwards (Director of Parietal Guidance), Anti-Eviction Campaign subject, Willie “JR” Flemming, Marion McMillan (Director of Crossing Jordan), Jessica Estelle Huggins (Co-Producer of Perfect Day), Daniel Kyri (Star of Perfect Day) & Derek Dow (Director of Condoms).
Good Morning all,
It’s been a while since I have written a personal festival review….Whelp, here it goes!
Perfect Day was part of the Opening Night of the 20th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival. Derrick Sanders (Director) and Martin Nelson (Editor) were there and said that the turn out as well as the reception of the film was amazing. I had no doubt.
Myself, Daniel Kyri and some friends came out the second night of the festival (Saturday August 2nd) and had a great turn out. When I arrived, a few friends were already there. I redeemed the 3 comp tix that I had, then bought one for a friend for the general $11 price. A rep from the festival spoke with me about adding Daniel and my name to the list of other filmmakers names to announce before the films were being screened. We were all instructed to have our seats shortly afterwards. The announcements were made and filmmakers (and stars) were asked to go up on the stage. I started off by saying my name and my position on the film that I had worked on. Everyone else did the same. The crowd clapped after all of us spoke. I thought that it was affective because then people could put names to faces. The announcer made a joke about how we could have said more. Personally, I don’t like talking before work is screened. It distorts the audience’s initial thoughts. Seconds after, the fest began.
Fast forward an hour later (out of 5, Perfect Day was the 5th to screen in the line-up), all of the filmmakers went back up on stage for a Q & A. Questions were first directed to us (probably because we were the freshest in ppl’s minds). Then questions trickled down to other filmmakers. The audience asked wonderful and intelligent questions that ranged from concept of each film, technical questions and future projects. The Q & A lasted for a good 20-30mins. Afterwards, people came down to talk to each of us. More appreciative comments and positivity was all up in that theatre.
At first I wasn’t planning on going to the closing screening on Wednesday evening but a fellow filmmaker that was in the film festival convinced me to go that morning. So, I did. Plus, I had two friends that were planning on going. Once getting there, I was greeted by the same beautiful faces of my fellow filmmakers. All of us were there, cheering one another on, introducing each other to our friends and family. This screening was particularly special because African-American writer, comedian, performer and producer, T’Keyah Crystal Keymah (Who worked on That’s so Raven, In Living Color, Cosby Show as well as many other awesome works) moderated the Q & A. I was nervous as shit. But once talking, and listening to my film fam, I saw the greater picture, how the 5 of us being there was no mistake. We represented the future of film…rising stars, shooting upwards rapidly. And it felt good to continue to be in the presence of such phenomenal AND talented people. T’keyah was amazing, hilarious and showed so much love for us. She made sure to give each of us her card. The Gene Siskel Theatre treated us well, Black Harvest Film Fest treated us well, and we treated each other well. Amazing festival experience.
What I loved the most about this festival (similarly to my experience at Queens World in New York), was that all of the filmmakers (including actors) gave one another props, hugs & exchanged contact info. JR (from the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign documentary that was screened) made a comment that all 5 filmmakers should create something together. See that? The power of talent and networking. I would definitely say that this was a successful and memorable experience.
As always, thank you to the cast and crew for all of their hard work as well as for our endless supporters. 🙂
You can catch us next Saturday August 16th at the Pan African Film Festival in ATL and also at the Harlem International Film Festival as well as the Montreal International Black Film Festival both in September 🙂 Until next time ya’ll!
