Youth Filmmakers From 39 US States and 17 Countries Selected For the 12th Annual BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival Streaming On BHERC TV Jan. 15 – 30, 2022
Youth filmmakers defy the challenges of COVID – 19 reaching across languages, states, and oceans to create cultural bonds, share their stories both dark and light, and renew their hopes for a brighter future thru film.
(Hollywood, CA) – The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) announces the 12th Annual Youth Diversity Film Festival (YDFF) Saturday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 30, 2022, online at www.BHERC.TV. BHERC has a core mission to recognize and support youth’s unique talents and voices by providing and promoting this visual platform. Traditionally brought to the community annually as a live event – the YDFF continues in streaming format and includes 24-hour access to the films and prime industry panels led by top entertainment professionals. Opening Ceremonies that introduce the filmmakers with short trailers of their movies is always a highlight of the event.
The BHERC YDFF is one of the longest-running youth film festivals to focus on diversity. YDFF filmmakers share short narratives, animation, and docu-short films from various topics related to what youth are experiencing today. YDFF goes beyond the definition of a festival by providing guidance and life-changing experiences that go beyond filmmaking throughout the year. The BHERC YDFF selected and screened more than 600 entries in the past. This year, YDFF increased its outreach for submissions utilizing Film Freeway, receiving 1877 submissions from the 39 US states and 17 countries. “There is a trend in the filmmaking this year that focuses on compelling and emotional themes on issues of mental health, social and economic issues, sci-fi, family and student life, environmental issues and fantasy,” states Sandra Evers-Manly, BHERC President. “Our goal is to celebrate our young filmmakers, provide a cross-cultural experience and expose them to professionals in the industry. We are delighted to provide this platform and spotlight their perseverance and determination.”
The 60 films selected are as diverse as the areas they hail from and the young filmmakers who represent US cities that include: Brooklyn, NY, Calabasas, CA, Charlottesville, VA, Clovis, CA Harrisburg, PA, Hernando, FL, Kalamazoo, MI, Kissimmee, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Milwaukee, WI, Mission Viejo, CA, Placentia, CA, Plano, TX, Sacramento, CA, San Carlos, CA, Sherman Oaks, CA, Waianae, HI, Washington D.C., and Westlake Village, CA. International selections hail from Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece, India, Islamic Republic, Italy, Korea Republic, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Spain, Tehran, and the United Kingdom. The 2022 film festival includes films in multiple genres, including comedy, drama, romance, horror, animation, documentary, and sci-fi.
A vital component of the festival is the panels. Set to provide mentorship and inside, real-time real-life information and experience by some of the best professionals in the television and film industries, BHERC YDFF will give once again the following industry panels as listed in the following:
2022 Youth Diversity Film Festival | Saturday, January 15 thru Sunday, January 30, 2022
Saturday, January 15th
10:00 AM Films Available for Viewing – www.Bherc.TV
1:00 PM Opening Ceremony/Event – www.Bherc.TV. Meet the filmmakers and get insight into taking full advantage of the festival.
2:30 PM “Writing Animation for Television”
Panelists: Animators Shawnee and Shawnelle Gibbs, an award-winning writing team from Oakland, California, with television, animation, and comics currently Staff Writers for Warner Bros. Animation and Calvin Brown, Jr., Disney.
Sunday, January 16th
2:00 PM Special Screening: “Unjust and Unequal: Education in Black and White” Panel and Conversation to follow.
Monday, January 17th
5:00 PM Filmmakers Roundtable: Why Did You Choose Your Subject? Join young filmmakers in a candid discussion about their filmmaking process and selection of their story topics.
Saturday, January 22nd
2:00 PM Scriptwriting for Short Films – Panelist, Larry Ulrich, Independent Filmmaker.
Saturday, January 29th
2:00 PM Meet Members of the Creative Coalition of Color.
Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, BHERC is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of African Americans in film and television. BHERC programs include film festivals, mentoring, book signings, script readings, film and animation contests, scholarships, and other programs and special events.
BHERC invites young people from the US and across the globe, industry professionals, and the community to join us for this great festival of incredible films from our youth. “This festival is presented annually to continue the BHERC mission to provide an outlet and opportunity for young filmmakers around the globe to share their stories about issues, challenges, and successes to a broad audience,” states BHERC YDFF Director Billie Green. This is a powerful opportunity for everyone. Take the time to log in and learn, be inspired, moved, gain insight from the filmmakers and the films, as well as the industry-led panels.
Register online now at www.bherc.tv. Admission for the online festival: Festival Pass $25.00/Adults, $15.00/Youth; Day Pass $10.00/Adult, $5.00/Youth. Please Note All films and programs screen online at www.BHERC.TV.
For information about the BHERC YDFF festival, please contact Billie J. Green, Director, BHERC Youth Diversity Film Festival at email: YDFF@bherc.org or by phone: (323) 732-6275. For information on all the festival offers, visit our website at www.bherc.tv. For additional details about BHERC and all of its programs, visit www.bherc.org.
