Here's some great news about a new intiative started by Brickson Diamond '93!
THE BLACKHOUSE FOUNDATION
January 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Please forward widely
African-American filmmakers make history at Sundance! This year marks the launch of The Blackhouse Foundation at this year’s 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The Blackhouse Foundation Lounge is dedicated to creating a venue geared towards, support, education, and celebration of filmmakers of African descent, audience and supporters.
Park City, Utah January 17, 2007–The Blackhouse Foundation is breaking barriers and bridging gaps at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The Blackhouse Foundation (BHF) is a haven for filmmakers of African descent in the independent film festival circuit, which is often perceived as not recognizing or supporting filmmakers of color. One of BHF’s goals is to change this perception and foster a change throughout the industry about the need and financial viability of African-American entertainment projects.
Foundation Board president Brickson Diamond stated that “the recent success of films like ‘Pursuit of Happyness, Dreamgirls’ and the opening box office record of ‘Stomp the Yard’ shows that Black films are receiving greater support and success. Whether independent or studio releases, Black films can show strong, play long and receive critical praise. We just need to make those films and tell those stories.”
“While this is a banner year for the diversity of images being presented in both TV and film, it follows a long period of no recognition. Our goal is to work with the filmmaking community to make sure that this year does not become an anomaly” said Board member Roberta Monroe. She continues, “The irony is that Black and urban films normally perform well and their DVD revenues often out pace the box office numbers. Yet, there’s still a hesitancy to tell diverse stories.”
The Blackhouse Foundation looks forward to being a conduit of change so that improvement continues steadily both behind the screens and in the images created and shown around the world.
In addition to providing a social network, BHF is also dedicated to educating filmmakers. A number of panels and seminars will be presented over the course of the Festival with topics ranging from the “The Art of the Deal” which will explore everything a filmmaker needs to know about making deals around their projects to “Direct to Dollars” that will take a look at the increasingly lucrative distribution options of direct-to-consumer and direct-to-own. Blackhouse will then be a venue for both memorable discussions and great networking opportunities by also hosting evening receptions and parties for companies such as Our Stories Films, LLC.
The Blackhouse is located at 628 Park Avenue (across from the Kimball Art Center) in Park City. The hours of operation are 10AM-7PM. Panel discussions will start at 2:30pm (please visit www.theblackhouse.org for more details).
BHF is proud to be an official partner of the Sundance Film Festival and is pleased to welcome the support of The Gill Foundation and HBO Films & Paramount Pictures as principal and major donors respectively.
Press and Event Contacts:
Roberta Munroe at 310-498-6287 or Carol Ann Shine at 310-345-705.
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