BLACK VOICES SHORTS PROGRAM

BLACK VOICES SHORTS PROGRAM
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 5:30 PM
SHORTS PROGRAM | 81 min
General Admission $10 | Student + Children $8

THE DREAM HOUSE
SHORT NARRATIVE | 8.5 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Kaylah Timoney

Charlie tries to talk about the meaning of life with her party girl twin sister. She has a conundrum but can she find her way out of it, and convince her sister it's not some new disease?

About the Director, Kaylah Timoney

From the Jersey shore to the mountains of Costa Rica, Kaylah Timoney has been writing, directing, acting and producing for as long as should could remember. Roping various friends in along the way to be in her productions. Fresh off of her latest project, "The Fear Collection" comes "The Dream House".

VUKA
SHORT NARRATIVE | 14 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Sohina Sidhu

A darkly comedic thriller about two African women experiencing a night of freedom and debauchery until a mysterious presence threatens to upend their friendship and sense of reality. Vuka is an investigation of modern African sisterhood...with a little magic!

About the Director, Sohina Sidhu

SOHINA SIDHU (she/her) is an actor and artist originally from California. While at the Yale School of Drama, she was seen in YELL, Kiss (Yale Repertory Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing, Death of Yazdgerd, The Seagull, and The Tempest among others. She conceived and directed The Red Tent at Yale Cabaret, directed NOVIOS pt. 1 at the Yale Cabaret, and appeared in The Trojan Women at Yale Summer Cabaret. Other credits include The Seagull, Caenis (Pace Gallery NYC). Television credits include Evil (CBS), Little Voice (Apple tv +), and Prodigal Son (Fx); Film credits include: The Society (short), DATING in New York (IFC Films). Sohina Sidhu holds degrees in acting from University of Southern California School of Drama and film from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts; and an MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama 2019.

PERIOD PARTY
SHORT NARRATIVE | 14.5 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Nicole Collins

Uncomfortable Situations: The embarassment of getting your first period in middle school and not knowing what's happening. Solution? A period party! A bunch of pre-pubescent girls in a safe space asking all they want to know about the infamous- PERIOD. Usually, young girls are portrayed on screen talking about the fantasy of their happily ever after or BOYS! Period Party shows girls actively taking part in the learning of an experience that changes women's lives forever.

About the Director, Nicole Collins

Nicole Collins is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, and host from Louisiana. Although she was born and raised in Alexandria, her 12 years in New Orleans is where she developed a passion for music and filmmaking. Her acting credits include HBO's 'Treme' and 'Twelve Years a Slave'. Nicole's hosting talents have landed her gigs with the NBA, Essence Festival, and We-TV. Nicole has written, directed, and/or produced over 20 film projects. Nicole continues to create content that supports black women's liberation. Nicole has received several grants for both her film and philanthropy work. In January 2020, Nicole directed and produced Maternally Yours, a web series executive produced by comedian/actor Lil Rel Howery, currently streaming on KweliTV. Nicole is the mother of 11-year-old actress Aadyn Encalarde. She continues her work in the film industry as the marketing and engagement coordinator for the nonprofit Women Make Movies and as the New Orleans Video Access Center (NOVAC) board president.

BRIEF EXCHANGES
SHORT NARRATIVE | 11.5 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by Ashley Versher

Brief Exchanges follows Tanya, a young Black woman living in NYC and dealing with the harassment and micro-aggressions that come with life in the city (or anywhere). A chance encounter with the friendly Troy, becomes a daylong affair of flirtatious banter. Filtered through the lens of a charming meet-cute, this film represents a Black woman’s reality in living with these intersectional identities.

About the Director, Ashley Versher

Ashley Versher is a multi-hyphenated creative. She has worked behind the scenes, contributing to the short-film Spot: A True Period Piece as Associate Producer, which was accepted into the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. She has also had the pleasure of working as a Guest Director with the creators of Tough Love on their newest series Pillow Talk, now on BET+. As an actor, she has recently appeared as a Co-star in the hit comedy series American Auto (NBC), Law & Order SVU (NBC) and Reasonable Doubt (HULU). She was a series regular and Assistant Director on the award-winning series #LoveMyRoomie now on Amazon Prime Video. She has also appeared in the Emmy-nominated, now Cleo TV series, Tough Love.

BLUE HOUR
SHORT NARRATIVE | 16 MIN | ENGLISH | USA
Directed by J.D. Shields

Two personal journeys intersect when a struggling young photographer is hired for a cheap last minute portrait gig. The unfolding photo session, while transient, leaves an indelible mark on both women.

About the Director, J.D. Shields

J.D. SHIELDS is an award-winning writer/director from Atlanta, Georgia. Currently a Story Editor on EMPEROR OF OCEAN PARK (MGM+) and Staff Writer on THE COMPANY YOU KEEP (ABC), she’s developed projects with Emmy-nominated showrunner Leslye Headland and Marsai Martin's Genius Entertainment and has written for DreamWorks TV Animation, Wondery and Sony Pictures Entertainment. An alumna of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, her forthcoming short film BLUE HOUR is sponsored by Women In Film and will have its World Premiere this Spring. Her latest directorial project ZIP-A-DEE-AY! was developed in the 2021 Moving Picture Institute Short Film Production Lab. J.D. was recipient of the HUMANITAS Prize College Drama Award and has participated in the Disney Writing Program, the HBOAccess Writing Program, the Women in Film INSIGHT Fellowship, and Film Independent’s Project Involve. She penned the award-winning short film WEDNESDAY, which screened at the LA Film Festival and premiered at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) as an HBO Shorts Finalist, later streaming on HBO. She earned her MFA in Screenwriting & Directing from Columbia University, having previously studied at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia in Singapore. She holds a BA in English & Theater from Vanderbilt University.

FIFTY FOUR DAYS
SHORT NARRATIVE | 17 MIN | ENGLISH | UK
Directed by Cat White

Based on a real life situation experienced by director Cat White, Fifty-Four Days is meant to open up dialogue about mental health, (especially Black male mental health which GQ referred to as the next pandemic) but also friendship and power of connecting with others. Beautifully shot, the subject matter also shines a light on the myth that Black people don’t swim! This film serves as a groundbreaking example of hope and of healing at a time when the world urgently needs it.

About the Director, Cat White

Cat White is an actor, writer, filmmaker, gender advisor to the UN and founder of the award-winning Kusini Productions, a company established to champion the voices of Black women. She has been honoured as a member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2022, longlisted for AllBright’s ‘Innovative Trailblazer Award’, is an alumni of We Are Parable/Channel 4’s Momentum programme and is a BAFTA connect member.