1 Year Later...

Wow! It's super hard to believe it's been nearly a year since we've updated this blog. Does that mean we are out for the count? Nope, not at all...much has taken place with our project behind the scenes--so much, that we haven't had time to post it all.

For those who have been wondering where we have been, here's a brief recap:


May 2011 marked a pivotal point in this project when our short film "A Little Bit of More" was chosen by the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, as a Court Metrage--Short Film Corner selection.

In August 2011, we saw our little film that could make its way up to the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival; another win for the team.

Next, fast forward to November 2011, when one of our good friends--SoSoon--invited us down to his weekly residency at Gizzi's Cafe to screen and discuss the film. Of course, he performed the title track "Zemira" that he penned especially for our project. The awesome guys of Division X were there too. A very wonderful Bronx inspired evening.

Which brings us up to the first quarter of 2012 where we finalized a licensing agreement with ShortsTV--the short film channel. This agreement was another big win for our team as it means that our film will receive international airtime via On Demand outlets such as DirecTV and iTunes! (PS we linked up with ShortsTV through our trip to Cannes!)

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, you're asking what next? Well, you're going to have to check back for our next post in order to get the scoop! LOL! Seriously though, we're nearing the finish line. Thanks for sticking with us this far.

From NYC to Cannes to...

We're two weeks back from our 2 1/2 week trip spent at the Cannes Film Festival and we thought it was high time that we update our supporters on where we've been and where we're headed. Words cannot express what an honor it was to have been able to screen our short film, A Little Bit of More, at the world renowned film festival. An extra special thanks goes out to the folks at Creative Minds In Cannes for facilitating the opportunity, as well as to all of our friends and family who contributed in one way or another to our travel fund. Our lives have been changed as a result forever more.

In addition to screening our film at the festival's Court Metrage, we got to check out some fantastic films (We Need To Talk About Kevin and Drive = brilliant!), meet a ton of new faces (contacts, contacts, contacts!), and learned a lot (more) about the film industry.

The Palais De Festivals

Mecca with actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim & actress Fumi Desalu-Vold at the Diversity In Cannes panel.

Curtis at the International Village

While we were gone, our good friend TastyKeish hit us up for an interview for REAL Time Travlr. You can read it here http://realtimetravlr.tumblr.com/post/5758055200/flight-path-concretepearl

Also, the good folks over at Shadow and Act took a moment to pick our brains on camera about our Cannes experience. Check us out: http://bit.ly/k36RAQ

So, after this whirlwind experience where do we go from here?


Well, for starters there's lots of follow-up being done with all of the industry contacts we made at the festival. We have a couple of them reading the script for the feature, Concrete Pearl, moving us just a little closer to making the production a reality. While we wait to hear from those contacts, Curtis and I will be making plans to head out to Martha's Vineyard in August. We just received word that the short was selected to be a part of the 2011 Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival! Talk about keeping it moving. We'll be filling everyone in with more details about the festival as we get closer to the date.

Until then...can't stop, won't stop.

-Mecca

Once Again, It's On!

Hey Peoples!

The next screening of A LITTLE BIT OF MORE is THURSDAY, February 17th, taking place at CINEMA NIGHT in Brooklyn. About 7-8 short films will be shown with a Q&A after with the filmmakers, writers, directors, actors and producers.

Its all at:
Brooklyn's Tiki Bar
885 B 4th ave (btw 33rd and 34th Sts)
Brooklyn, NY
(D, N or R trains to 36 Street)

Suggested $5 donation at the door.
Hosted by Frances Lozada
Guest Host: Writer and Performer Odilia Rivera Santos

They've got a great setup down there so please come down and enjoy this screening with us, along with some other great shorts. Click the link below for more info.

For any that are unaware, our short film A LITTLE BIT OF MORE is based on an aspect of our soon-to-be produced feature film 'Concrete Pearl'. Please join us in sharing our story with the world.

Short Film, Big Screen

If you're in the NY/NJ area from 2/4/11 to 2/9/11 check out the ActNow Foundation's New Voices in Black Cinema Film Festival at BAM Rose Cinemas: http://ow.ly/3CTXB

Our short film, A Little Bit of More--based on the script of Concrete Pearl, will be included in the fest's star-studded lineup as part of the Brooklyn Shorts Block on February 9th at 7pm. There will be a Q&A with the directors at the screening.

Hope to see your lovely faces there!

BAM Rose Cinemas
30 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217-1486

General Admission: $12
BAM Cinema Club members: $7

Big Tings A Gwan

Hey folks. So it seems like we haven't been in this space forever, but believe me when I tell you that Curtis and I have been biz-ee! I know, I know what else is new, right? Oh there's lots. Like for instance...

Our August 12th premiere was a hit! Actually, it was so nice we had to screen it twice. (Photos courtesy of Jason John)

Uno...


Dos...

Yep, that's right the out pour of support was fierce that evening. Thanks again to all who came out! You made us feel loved.

Also, an extra special thanks goes out to these folks for the evening...

Our parents (Johns to the left, Woods to the right).

AND

Our cast members (left to right: Kaleber Soze, Marjuan Canady and Robbie Morgan). Michelle, Azariah, and Aaron were with us in spirit...

One last note before we move on: Purple. Heels. That is all.


Okay. So now that we've got that squared and out of the way, I bet you'd like to know what else we've been doing. Well, we've been talking to the kiddies. Yes, that's right. Team ZEMIRA took some time out this past summer to visit with students at the Drammeh Institute, a Bronx filmmaking program for youth.


During our visit we got to speak to them about overcoming challenges while pursuing a passion and the importance of the barter system in building a network. We even got to show them a few scenes from the short and offered them technical tips they could incorporate into their own projects. A huge thank you goes to Iman Nur, director of the program, for extending the invitation to us. Our visit even got us a mention in the Bronx Times!

Oh but that's not it people. I told you we've been busy!

Last Friday our good friends at Rise Up Radio(WBAI 99.5FM) brought us on the show (along with our star Marjuan Canady and phenomenal visual artist Marthalicia) to discuss ZEMIRA as well as the role of women in film and theatre. You can listen in from WBAI's archives to catch our September 3rd airing. Thanks to the Rise Up Radio family for looking out. We had a blast. Oh, and I'll try not to be so babble-ly next time. LOL.

Well...ok, folks. That is it for now. Whew!!

Love,
M.

Oh and PS, we got in our first review on the short. Read it on Society HAE.

It's Here!! The ZEMIRA Short Film Screening--August 12th!

The time has finally come for us to share the fruit of our labor with the world. Through the help of family and friends anxious to see the full length, 90-minute feature onscreen, we have been able to put together a 15 minute short version of the film to help us further this effort. We invite you to come and witness this vision firsthand. There will be a brief Q&A following the screening.

About ZEMIRA: About Co-written and produced by filmmakers Curtis John and Mecca Woods, ZEMIRA (www.zemirathefilm.com) is a film that focuses on a teenage girl's struggle to overcome the challenges of her impoverished, South Bronx life. However, ZEMIRA goes beyond typical urban fare by asking viewers to think critically about the socio-economic status quo that permeates the inner city. Not every young girl of color is destined for failure...right?

When: Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time: arrival time 7:30pm, screening starts promptly at 8pm
Where: Center Stage NY, 48 West 21st Street, #401
Hosted by: Curtis John and Mecca Woods (the creators of ZEMIRA)
Cost: $5 (at the door)
RSVP: mecca@zemirathefilm.com (space is limited)

Real Life, ZEMIRA: An Interview With Tasty Keish

Keisha "Tasty Keish" Dutes is something of a powerhouse. The NYC born and bred media maven has been making quite a name for herself on the entertainment scene. She co-hosts Rise Up Radio(WBAI 99.5FM), brings us exclusive interviews with emerging and established artists, as well as hosts her own web series, Taste of the Town. Still, that's not even HALF of her resume. The woman is a beast, people.

Given Tasty Keish's extensive knowledge on all things related to entertainment and the public eye, we thought she would make an excellent subject for this installment of the Real Life, Zemira series. So we asked TK to sit down and talk with us (thanks Keish!). Here, Tasty Keish and I chat about the current state of black women in media and the importance of positive role models.

--Mecca