International Black Film Festival
This was my first year attending the International Black Film Festival, and let me just say WOW! I had such a fantastic time meeting new creatives, screening films, listening to panels, and being out and extra. It was truly a great experience for me from beginning to end.
Held each year in the fall, the International Black Film Festival is “an inclusive, high impact marketplace where ‘independent’ creatives can engage with and learn from the best in the industry. It is an interactive environment where opportunity thrives and business is done, centered around 6 key focal points: create, innovate, activate, monetize, watch, entertain”
Now in its 14th year, the festival did not fail on a single one of its promises. From start to finish the festival displayed the best in black film, black thought, and black Nashville. The festival’s all-star line up of industry powerhouses included David P. White National Executive Director of SAG-AFTRA, ESPN Producer John N.Minton III. Director Deon Taylor, Actors Gabrielle Dennis, and Woody McClain, Celebrity Casting Director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, and Nashville favorites like Ingrid Brown, Mignon Francois, and Monchiere'Holmes-Jones. Each participant shared in-depth insight into their respective industry and inspired attendees to follow their dreams incessantly.
When I first got the opportunity to work with the IBFF and partner as the Nashville Blogging Collective I was really excited, but also a little unsure. I had never attended a film festival before and wasn’t exactly sure how it would fit into what I or the collective had been doing. To my delight, the entire event was a refuge for creatives. Inspiration was everywhere. From the diversity in the films to the honesty in the panels, it was hard not to leave each event and want to go a little harder.
My biggest takeaways from the festival came from Twinkie Bryd, Deon Taylor, and Gabrielle Dennis.
Twinkie taught us the importance of having a raison d'etre and using that to guide our actions. She also said something that has stuck with me since IBFF day one. “Once the Inspiration hits act as if and continue as though.” This really hit home for me. I have so many ideas all the time, however, many times end up talking myself out of them before they come to fruition. I remind myself of this quote in times when I’m feeling very anxious about making a move or when I’m feeling self-doubt.
Deon honed in on the importance of owning your content and staying true to your goal. Lastly, Gabrielle solidified the fact that money isn’t the end all be all when deciding on which opportunities to take.
My initial intention when attending the festival was to show up for Ingrid and create good content. But, when it was all said and done I was so happy that I attended the events and showed up for myself. I left so inspired and refreshed. I left remembering why I started creating content and what my vision was for the future. I left better than I came, and that is a telling sign of a great event.
