Below is a short list of websites, phone numbers and other contact information for resources and organizations related to black film.
The Acapulco Black Film Festival. (www.abff.com/splash/splash.htm) From its Web site: "The Acapulco Black Film Festival is a celebration of the cinematic work of Black filmmakers and artists. The ABFF offers a competitive showcase of independent Black cinema from around the world. The festival’s retreatlike atmosphere provides an intellectually charged environment for filmmakers, artists, industry executives, journalists and film enthusiasts to network and share information and ideas."
The Acapulco Black Film Festival
c/o UniWorld Group, Inc.
100 Avenue of the Americas
16th Floor
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 219-7267; e-mail: abff@uniworldgroup.com
Alliance of Black Entertainment Technicians. (
www.abetnetwork.com/aboutabet.htm) Founded in 1987 by
Shirley Moore. From the Web site: "ABET’s purpose is to provide aid and assist Black Technicians in the motion picture and entertainment industry by increasing awareness, visibility and opportunities through education, networking, promotional activities and act as a support system for business and services. ABET is the first organization comprised of the Behind-the-Scenes personnel who actually work on union and non-union feature films, TV shows, music videos, and commercial productions within the entertainment industry." Phone: (323) 933-0746; e-mail Moore at:
smabet@pacbell.net.
Black Film Center/Archive.(
http://www.indiana.edu/~bfca) From its Web site: "The Black Film Center/Archive is a repository of films and related materials by and about African Americans. Included are films which have substantial participation by African Americans as writers, actors, producers, directors, musicians, and consultants, as well as those which depict some aspect of black experience. The BFC/A is a facility where scholars, students and researchers can view films and have access to auxiliary research facilities on the
Indiana University Bloomington campus.
Black Camera, the newsletter of the Black Film Center/Archive, serves as an academic, professional, and community resource. In order to maintain a comprehensive research archive, the BFC/A does not distribute any part of its collection. However, the BFC/A maintains a database of over 8,000 films, not all of which are in the collection. For a minimal fee, database research information concerning those films is available to be faxed or mailed."
Smith Research Center, Black Film Center/Archive
Suite 180-81
2805 E. 10th St.
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47408
Office phone: (812) 855-6041; director: (812) 855-7631; fax: (812) 856-5832; e-mail: bfca@indiana.edu
Blackfilm.com From its Web site: "Blackfilm.com is an online resource which links the Black film community while cultivating national and international audiences interested in their work. This site provides a forum for filmmakers, scholars and organizations to present information and promote artistic expression. What we do: As our mission indicates we are quite passionate about the presentation and promotion of Black cinema. This is articulated in our efforts as we bring you: interviews with actors, filmmakers and professionals at all levels in the film industry; reviews and features on studio releases, independent and historical films; information on productions, jobs, casting calls, grants, festivals, conferences and other events; an online gallery of indie films and media. Screenings and receptions for the online gallery in various places in the U.S. passes and invites to screenings and premieres."
Black Filmmaker Foundation (BFF). (http://www.surfview.com/seresbff.htm) From the Web page maintained by Surfview Entertainment: "Black Filmmaker Foundation (BFF) is a not-for-profit national membership organization established in 1978 to support emerging Black filmmakers and build audiences for their work. BFF provides a forum for the Black Cinema Movement by facilitating the exchange of ideas, networking and information sharing. As an incubator of new talent, BFF’s showcases and exhibitions encourage a reciprocal relationship between artists and audiences."
BFF, Tribeca Film Center
375 Greenwich St.
New York, NY 10013
Phone (212) 941-3944; fax (212) 941-3944
Black Filmmaker Online Magazine. (
http://www.blackfilmmakermag.com/) From its Web site: "bfm is a bi-monthly publication which reflects the activity, concerns and aesthetics of black filmmakers in the UK and Internationally. It recognises the need for black filmmakers globally to be in tune and informed around filmmaking issues. In bfm online you will find excerpts from the magazine, interviews, finance, distribution, scriptwriting, feature articles, festivals and news from the world of film."
Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center.(
http://www.bherc.org/home.html) From the Web site: "The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center, a nonprofit, public benefit organization, is designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history, and the future, of blacks in the film and television industries. The BHERC strives to highlight the important roles that blacks have played, and continue to play, in film and television. The Center’s commitment to the development of future filmmakers — performers, directors, and behind-the-scenes technicians and workers — is realized not only through film festivals but also through innovative educational programs. Since its founding, the Center’s scholarship projects have awarded more than $500,000 in equipment, in-kind services and resources to deserving film students and independent filmmakers. With the understanding that the box office is critical in determining the fate of new films, the Center founded the First Weekend Club, in March 1997, as a financial advocate for films by and featuring the talents of African-American men and women — in front of and behind the cameras. The First Weekend Club boasts more than 35,000 members nationwide. The BHERC is committed to ensuring that black men and women play integral roles in that industry, and that the rich African-American heritage is prominently included in the sagas documenting American history and culture." E-mail:
bherc@bherc.org; phone: (310) 284-3170/fax: 310-284-3169; 24-hour hot line: (323) 957-4747.
