Joanna C. DeShay, Founder of the Arizona Black Film Showcase and 2008 AZBFS Chair addresses attendees at the Opening night reception.

With the exception of Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson, Black actors are the exception, not the rule when it comes to being cast in significant parts in major films. It’s even more of a rarity for Black script writers, producers and directors to break through the ranks of Hollywood powerbrokers to get their works made, stories told and films distributed.

The Arizona Black Film Showcase (AZBFS) hopes to be an avenue to help Blacks in film as well as others who desire to represent the portrayal of the Black experience on the big screen accurately and void of typical stereotypes. AZBFS is an annual competitive film showcase with a mission of celebrating and promoting Black filmmakers and filmmakers whose films promote the Black experience. This year’s 7th annual showcase took place March 27th-30th featuring thirty-nine short documentary and feature films submitted by filmmakers from the United States and Canada.

The Arizona Black Film Showcase aims to become the premier national media arts event dedicated to supporting Black film professionals through educational and networking opportunities and is dedicated to supporting, celebrating and promoting the dynamic works of Black filmmakers locally and nationally.”

Actress Linara Washington (2nd from left), director Andrew P. Jones (next to Ms. Washington, producer and director Lee Daniels (4th from left), Lynn Whitfield (center) pose with AZBFS organizers and sponsors. Photo: Starla Muhammad

“It (AZBFS) gives us a chance to appreciate and encourage each other and critique each other,” said the award winning actress. “The value of these festivals is that it allows us to communicate, support and network with each other.” She also explained that lack of financial resources makes it more difficult for Black directors and producers to get films made and distributed. According to Ms. Whitfield, independent filmmaking allows them to approach more complex subject matter in a less stereotypical way. The films submitted and screened covered a variety of genres and tackled a variety of topics ranging from sexual abuse, atonement, family life, Black male and female relationships, the entertainment industry and Black life during the Great Depression.

Filmmaker Iris Huey traveled from California to participate in her second AZBFS and submitted her first feature film that she wrote, directed and produced titled “2nd Chance.” Ms. Huey explained what she feels makes the AZBFS special, “The talent brought here is unique” she shared.

Lee Daniels, whose production and directorial film credits include, “The Woodsman”, “Shadow Boxer” and “Monster’s Ball”, passionately told the audience “Black film festivals are important…we (Blacks) are rejected and told everyday that we can’t do this and it is beat into our head, but this (film showcase) allows us an opportunity.”

Awards and honors were presented during a formal ceremony Saturday evening to Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Feature and People’s Choice. Lynn Whitfield and Pam Grier were recipients of the 2008 Spirit of Oscar Micheaux Award. The directors of the winning films received cash and prizes and will have an opportunity to have their films reviewed for national distribution.

(For more information, visit www.azblackfilm.com/)