Alan Wenkus, a co-writer and co-executive producer of the history making, blockbuster film “Straight Outta Compton” will participate in the Special Conversation Series on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. on the campus of Meharry Medical College in the Cal Turner Event Center as part of the International Black Film Festival of Nashville (IBFF). Last month “Straight Outta Compton” opened at #1 and dominated the U.S. box office, grossing over $150 million in 3 weeks. The critically acclaimed film directed by F. Gary Gray is currently receiving awards season buzz for it’s amazing cast, direction and story.
The IBFF Centerpiece Film is the latest feature film by Mark Harris, who debuts his “Stock Option,” starring Tasha Smith of “Empire,” Antonique Smith of “Notorious,” Amin Joseph of “Dope” and Aaron D. Spears of BET’s “Being Mary Jane.”
“Where Children Play,” by award winning Director Leila Djansi, stars Grammy Award-winning singer Macy Gray, Actor Leon Robinson of “Waiting to Exhale” & “The Temptations,” Brian White of “The Best Man” & “Stomp the Yard” and Edwina Findley of “If Loving You Is Wrong” is a Special Feature film presentation.
Workshops include Fast Pitch; Game Changer: The Explosive Success of Urban Entertainment; Media & Social Justice Unplugged: The Power and Influence of Imagery In Entertainment, Whose Responsible Anyway?; and Shark Tank: Protecting Your Business, Brand & Project from Legal Pitfalls.
Alan Wenkus was introduced to former N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller and began a series of interviews with Heller and Eazy E’s widow Tomica Woods-Wright. Wenkus and his writing partners, including Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff, and S. Leigh Savidge then developed and transformed these interviews into the riveting screenplay “Straight Outta Compton,” which chronicles the music career of controversial rap group N.W.A. With Easy E’s widow’s blessing, Wenkus sold the script along with the music rights attached to Universal Studio, and was retained by the film studio for multiple script polishes, staying with the project from inception to production as co-executive producer.
Wenkus, a former programming executive with Premiere Radio Networks and Clear Channel Communications, is also writer and producer of the recently announced big screen biopic “No Show Jones” about country music legend George Jones and is writing the screenplay adaption to the thrilling New York Times bestseller “Code Name: Johnny Walker.”
IBFF will take place Thursday, October 1 through Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Nashville. Meharry Medical College, an official sponsor, will host this year’s event at the state-of-the-art Cal Turner Family Center for Student Education on the Meharry campus.
The festival will serve the full spectrum of the film industry by providing a venue to showcase the work of filmmakers from around the globe.
Patrons will have the opportunity to view “unreleased,” independent and studio films, participate in awesome industry level workshops, master classes, industry parties, and high profile red carpet events with celebrity appearances. Please visit their website at www.ibffnashville.com for forthcoming announcements and event details.
