2024 VIRTUAL SCHEDULE

We’re excited to spend another weekend in the Black Creators Forum virtual Symposium, and we hope this is a weekend that’s rejuvenating, comforting, and full of learning and resource-sharing. You’ll find the full schedule for the virtual weekend below, and we hope to see you in person during our BCF Kickback during the festival on Friday, November 15th!

Saturday, November 9

ALL TIMES CENTRAL // JUMP TO SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE HERE


11am CDT: Welcome from the BCF Team!
Zoom Link

Welcome to the 2024 virtual Black Creators Forum! Start the morning with a quick rundown of the weekend before a session with Jackie O!

11:15 AM CDT: Centering Rest as a Creative with Jackie O
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We’re glad to welcome Miss Jackie O back to the symposium, where she will lead a session to center us and ground us in how to center and ground rest in our creative processes.

12:00 PM CDT: Breakout Rooms Round 1
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Join us for our first round of breakout rooms, where we’ll spend some time breaking the ice and getting to know each other before diving into later sessions!

1:00 PM CDT: Keynote: Naked Acts, Restoring a Black Independent Classic
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We’re honored to welcome Bridgett M. Davis (Writer and Director of Naked Acts), and Maya Cade (Creator and Curator of Black Film Archive) to discuss the journey to and process of restoring this 90s independent classic, their collaboration, and the experience of bringing the film to a new set of audiences. 

Ahead of their keynote conversation, read more about the film and the beginnings of this collaboration in BlackStar Projects most recent edition of their journal, Seen: Naked Acts Now.

1:45 CDT: Licensing Music for Independent Films: Insights from the Crosstown Arts Musician & Artist Services Team
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Join McKenzii Webster and Charles Seaton from the Crosstown Arts Musician & Artist Services team as they lead a comprehensive session on navigating the world of music licensing for independent films. Designed for filmmakers, music creatives, and industry professionals, this session will cover key topics such as:

  • Being Sync-Ready: What music creatives need to prepare their tracks for licensing opportunities.

  • The Licensing Process: An in-depth look at the steps involved in licensing music for indie films, including negotiation, agreements, and common challenges.

  • Engaging Music Creatives and Sync Catalogs: Strategies for indie filmmakers to collaborate effectively with artists and sync catalogs, ensuring a seamless music integration process.

Whether you’re a filmmaker looking to enhance your project with the perfect score or a musician aiming to break into sync, this session offers actionable advice from two experienced professionals in the field.


2:45 CDT: Speed Meeting Sessions
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In Speed Meetings, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through breakout rooms with various panelists who have insights to share about topics you may not see in our longer sessions at this year’s Symposium. See the main topics they’re glad to share and provide wisdom about below and come prepared with questions for these panelists!

Panelists and their main topics include:

  • Jason Rawlings, Filmmaker and Head of Video Inspection at LensRentals  – Renting and securing gear for productions

  • Marcelese Cooper, Filmmaker and Teaching Assistant Professor in the Film and Media Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh – Higher education and collaborative, community-based art

  • Ryan Darbonne, Animator and Editor on Netflix’s ‘Castlevania’ – Working as a professional editor, particularly on a streaming series

  • Fatima Wardy, Filmmaker and Berlinale Talents alum –  Higher education and filmmaker artist development programs and experiences 

  • Gisela Moore, Project Manager, Tennessee Entertainment Commission - Tennessee Entertainment Commission, its role, and how they can support you 

  • Ruun Nuur, Filmmaker and Cultural Worker, Co-Founder, No Evil Eye Cinema - Reflecting on NEEC Cinematic Interventions and Filmwork as an act of Solidarity. You can watch the NEEC Cinematic Interventions Symposium here for an insight into Ruun’s work and the conversation topic here.

2:45 CDT: Jimmy: Film as a Tour
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In this conversation with filmmaker Yashaddai Owens, we’ll discuss his film, Jimmy, which imagines James Baldwin's arrival and first experiences in Paris and is screening this year at IMFF, and how he’s approached its distribution similar to how a musician tours and what insights he’s learned from this approach.



4:00 CDT: Ask Anything of Everybody
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Get ready for a unique, interactive session! "Ask Anything of Everybody" is an open forum where attendees can freely ask questions and share valuable insights across a range of creative fields. This collaborative discussion welcomes participants from all backgrounds and expertise levels, creating a space where filmmakers, artists, writers, producers, actors, and others can come together to share knowledge, ideas, and practical tips.

Whether you're looking for advice on funding a project, tips for overcoming creative blocks, insights on navigating industry challenges, or just want to connect with like-minded creatives, this session is for you.



4:00 CDT: TV Writing Roundtable
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Join Charles Ray Hamilton and Brandi Nicole Payne, two seasoned writers in the world of television, discussing their unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs that come with creating authentic narratives in an industry that is constantly evolving.

Sunday, November 10


11am CDT: Screenwriting Through a Decolonized and Abstract Lens
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We’re excited to welcome back artist and cultural organizer, visual storyteller Maria Judice for a Black Creators Forum version of her curriculum centered on screenwriting and developing a creative practice rooted in decolonial and abstract thinking.

12:30 Pm CDT: Other Types of Work in Film
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Coutrney LeFlore, John Hamilton, and Kiara Sally, industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, will share their experiences working in film beyond traditional paths. Join us to discuss their roles in media and entertainment, from producing corporate videos to creating compelling reality TV.

1:30 pm CDT: Niche Areas in Film: Makeup, Hairstyling, and Costumes
Zoom Link

Join us for an engaging virtual panel where we’ll dive into the world of hairstyling, makeup, and costuming in the film and TV industry. Featuring industry experts Marsena Sellers, an acclaimed costumer and stylist, and Faizah Husniyah, a skilled hair and makeup artist, this discussion will reveal the creative and practical aspects behind crafting looks for the screen.

Our panelists will share insights on the artistry and technical skills required to bring characters to life, as well as the challenges of working on set. We’ll cover everything from sourcing materials and collaborating with directors to handling on-the-fly adjustments and maintaining continuity. Aspiring artists and enthusiasts will gain valuable knowledge on how to break into this unique field, build a portfolio, and network effectively within the industry.

2:30 pm CDT: Let's Get Practical: Budgets, Planning, and More!
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Experienced filmmakers Jessica Chaney, Tracee Comfort, and Meleisha Edwards explore the practical realities of filmmaking, where vision meets logistics, and share insights on turning ideas into screen-ready productions.

3:30 pm CDT: Bonnet Brunch (Black Women in Film Gathering)
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Hosted by Tchaiko Omawale (Solace). Feel free to come as you are for this gathering (bonnet or other ways you feel comfortable included).

3:30 pm CDT: Breakout Rooms Part 2
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It’s another round of Breakout Rooms! This one will have attendees divided into rooms based on career and role interests or continue any earlier conversations sparked by other sessions of the Symposium!

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4:30 pm CDT: Festival Strategy: The Value of Regional Festivals
Zoom Link

Curious about what your festival options are in the South? Want to come back to the region to make work? Join this conversation with the Director of Education at Sidewalk Film, Jessica Chriesman, as we discuss regional film festivals and their value in building relationships and artistic practice without having to travel outside of the region.

BLACK CREATORS FORUM OPPORTUNITIES