The 11th Annual International Black Film Festival of Nashville was held October 5-8 at various locations throughout the city. Workshops, panels, parties, screenings, a luncheon and awards ceremony were variously held at Belmont University, Fisk University, Watkins College, City Winery, and elsewhere.
Throughout the 4-day event, the festival served the full spectrum of the industry by providing a venue to showcase the work of filmmakers from around the globe. Patrons had the opportunity to view unreleased, independent and studio films, participate in industry-level workshops, master classes, industry parties, and high profile red carpet events with celebrity appearances.
Participants at various events throughout the festival included Dr. Ray Winbush, Traci Otey Blunt, Judge Richard Dinkins, Judge William Haynes, Ruth Paul, Cheryl Slay, Doug Howard, Joyce Searcy, Bobby Jones, James “Knobody” Foster, Julie Foster, Akintunde, Spencer Glover, Angela Northington, Brett Dismuke, Gabourey Sidibe, and Victoria Rowell.
The IBFF premiered the highly anticipated, critically acclaimed feature film “Marshall” as their Opening Night Film. Directed by Academy Award nominee Reginald Hudlin, “Marshall” chronicles significant events of the life of Attorney Thurgood Marshall before being appointed as the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
The IBFF Thurgood Marshall Legacy Luncheon, sponsored by Attorney Joy Kimbrough, commemorating the work of Justice Thurgood Marshall took place Thursday, October 5 at Fisk with renowned Author and Professor Dr. Ray Winbush as the keynote speaker. Noted attorneys and civic leaders Judge Richard Denkins, Judge Joe Haynes, Dr. Ray Winbush, Traci Otey Blunt, and others led a panel discussion on how Marshall’s work changed the trajectory of law and civil rights later that day at Belmont.
Thurgood Marshall argued 32 civil rights civil rights cases before the Supreme Court winning 29 of them. As the NAACP’s top attorney for 23 years with deep ties to Nashville,TN, Marshall and his powerful team of attorneys, including George E.C. Hayes, James Nabrit Jr. and Z. Alexander Looby, led the victory in monumental cases such as the Brown vs Board of Education.
Other panels and workshops included The Crossover: Diversifying For Profitability In Music, Film, TV & Gaming; Fast Pitch Live; My Project’s For Sale. What’s My Next Move?; #ISSAHiT: Diversity Commands A Big Pay Day; and Jaro Media Services Demo: New Streaming Platform for Independent Film, Music, Books & Visual Art. The IBFF Awards Ceremony recognized filmmakers in 19 categories, ranging from acting to directing and design to scoring.
