Tag Archives: Movie Making
It’s Officially Official, Awards Season is Upon Us
…And how! With all the flurry and buzz of award shows lately, I’ve been negligent in my posting, and for that, I apologize. But I hope you’ve been live tweeting with BCM during the ceremonies! Personally, we think that’s more entertaining than the actual show…
Last week were the Globes, of the Golden variety, followed by the SAG-AFTRA awards last night (Congrats to Rita Moreno on her Lifetime Achievement Award! Her acceptance speech made me cry). Truth be told, the SAG’s are my favorite–there’s something about being nominated by your peers that just feels…Right. It’s not as hoity-toity as the Oscar’s and not as relaxed as the Globes. It feels less stuffy than the Critics’ Choice, and definitely more important than the People’s Choice (no but really, does anyone watch those?). While I would like nothing more than to enter into some rant and rave and endless diatribe about who should have won (Chiwetel Ejiofor & Lupita Nyong’o should have won every nomination. Come to that, we are SO happy Lupita won the Critics’ Choice & SAG, but yes, she should have grabbed that Globe), who was robbed (Judi Dench, ALWAYS. Philomena was undoubtedly the best film this season. And no one, not one person, can act better than the Dench, as far I’m concerned. Well, unless you throw in Meryl, whom we also adore and would love to see win. And then Idris Elba of course.), whose win perhaps should have been questioned (Jennifer Lawrence & American Hustle for numerous reasons…), and so on and so forth. The list is endless. While everyone can’t be a winner all of the time, most people we root for are never winners, any of the time. But, then again, as Oprah said (and you all know we have to live by what Oprah says), “We don’t do movies to win awards, we do movies to move people.”
While there are very important issues to discuss RE awards season (SEE: the lack of diversity and representation of people of color [I hate that term, I think it’s so problematic], (dis)ability and women–both in general and the notion of ageism), I’m not going into that today. Not this post. Not right now. Because what I’d really like to talk about is the FASHION! (I know, not where you thought I was going with this) With the (for the most part) quite sad, drab and dull looks at the Globes, I was happy to see Hollywood et al stepped it up in a gigantic way for the SAG’s.
For me, there was a three-way tie for best dressed: Lupita Nyong’o in Gucci, Phyllis Logan in Libby Lulu & Helen Mirren in Escada.
Our second runners up were Cate Blanchett in a pretty pink Givenchy number, and a very preggers Kerry Washington in Prada.
Honorable mentions include Amy Adams, Camila Alves and Emma Thompson because she wore flats (and that rocks).
On the men’s side, Matt Damon was rather scrumptious (Did I really just?…) in a Dolce&Gabbana tux, and Christian Louboutin shoes. And Chiwetel Ejiofor in menswear label Rake and Prada shoes.
(OK so, I’m sorry we only have HALF of his body here. His girlfriend, Sari Mercer, was hanging all over him, all locked up in a tight grip as if someone was going to spirit him away…We had to cut her out…)
Best rock-star vibe and acceptance speech goes to Rita Moreno because, she’s Rita Moreno and RESPECT, but also because she sang twice, which brought tears to my eyes.
Also in this category is Lupita Nyong’o because her speech was heartfelt and true, “…Thank you for taking a flashlight & shining it underneath the floor boards of this nation and reminding us what it is we stand on.”
And because I like a good time as much as the next person (basically I just want to party with these two), best photobomb of the night goes to both Emma Thompson & Phyllis Logan.
Awards seasons always fascinate me (in a good & bad way). 2014 has been rather disappointing so far, award & fashion wise (No win for Downton Abbey? I’m not so upset about the show, just that Phyllis was unable to give an acceptance speech, and as we saw from last year, she gives the BEST acceptance speeches #ShuttheFrenchWindows. And wait, WHAT?! Did I just hear correctly? She doesn’t have a SAG card?! Someone rectify this STAT. I suppose she should be my next film…I’m just saying), but let’s see what the Oscar’s give us, shall we?
Love
BCM
Now Taking Submissions for the 22nd Pan African Film Festival!
Currently, PAFF is accepting submissions of independent features, shorts, narratives and documentary films made by or about people of African descent. Applications are available via the PAFF website at www.paff.org, by emailing ao@paff.org or calling (310) 337-4737.
ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Gearing up for its 22nd anniversary, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival. Each year, it screens more than 150 films made by and/or about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Latin America, Europe and Canada. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country.
PAFF was founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as Willona in the tv series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in African Affairs. PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and creative expression.
The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.
ELIGIBILITY:
The PAFF is currently accepting applications for films and videos made by and/or about people of African descent. (Please note:the filmmaker(s) need not be of African or African American descent.) Films should preferably depict positive and realistic images and can be of any genre — drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, etc. PAFF accepts features and shorts both narrative and documentary. The film festival will accept submissions of works in progress; however, the final version of the film must be completed no later than January 2, 2014.
COMPETITION:
The PAFF competition categories are: Best Narrative Feature,Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary, Best Director — First Feature, plus, Audience Favorite Awards for Narrative Featureand Favorite Documentary. Films in competition must be copyrighted no earlier than 2013. With the exception of Audience Favorite Awards, all films are judged by industry professionals, selected by PAFF. In addition to competition awards, other programming and festival special prizes will be awarded.
SUBMISSION:
For information about the festival, submission procedures, fees and registration, visit www.paff.org or call 310. 337-4737. Submissions will be accepted from now through October 19, 2013. Late submissions will be accepted until November 16, 2013. Official selection announcements will be made beginning December 16, 2013.
For more information, please visit http://www.paff.org or call (310) 337-4737.
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