The Columbus Black International Film Festival honors universal works
Since 2017, the Columbus Black International Film Festival has stood firm on its commitment to spotlight the growing influence of Black filmmakers.
And although the festival’s founder, Cristyn Allen-steward, imagined the event would be bigger by year five, the campaign has already made promising strides in the world of cinema.
For the fifth annual CBIFF, Allensteward said the festival will continue to honor the creative ambitions and enriched stories told by Black storytellers from around the world, while further magnifying the emerging talent within the capital city.
“It’s basically a space to feel comfortable being an independent filmmaker,” Allen-steward, 35, said. “I have a space here to be (your) true film self, be here to kick it, watch some dope films, be exposed to new things that will inspire others to create better things. It’s those components that are the takeaway.”
Taking place Aug. 27-28, the week
end will be filled with a number of keynote events, educational programs and screenings of projects crafted by people of the African diaspora. These cinematic works are handpicked from Filmfreeway submissions and later added to the festival based on their alignment with the year’s theme.
Filmmaker Roderick Lawrence, whose short film “Silent Partner” will be screened Saturday night, said the experience will be a surreal one. And as a Cleveland native, he said the project’s showing is that much greater with it being in his home state..
“To be able to bring something home and show people what is possible outside of Ohio is big for me,” Lawrence said. “Emotions are high and I (feel) blessed to bring the piece back to the home state.
“It’s always an honor and blessing to be included in a group of up-and-coming and established brilliant Black artists.”
Lawrence’s short film, which confronts the complex effects of microaggressions and racial divide in the workplace, was the 32-year-old filmmaker’s first time leading a project
Going in, he made a conscious decision to hire a Black director, producer and staff to ensure that the story would be told as authentically as possible, a move he feels the industry needs to adopt going forward.
“Nobody can tell our stories how we can,” he said. “No offense to white directors, but I’m talking about exclusively Black stories and the Black experience in America. That experience is so specific, and because it can be told in so many different views, it’s vital.”
With festivals such as the Columbus Black International Film Festival, actor, director and screenwriter Jasmyn
Green, 31, said her hope is that it encourages young storytellers to follow their aspirations and be intentional about the messages they convey.
Green, a Hilliard native who now lives in the New York City area, said seeing prominent storytellers such as Shonda Rhimes inspired her to write “The Domino Effect,” which will be in contention for Best Feature Screenplay this weekend.
Without Rhimes and other Black creatives’ presence, Green said “I wouldn’t be where I am, pushing to have a bigger and better platform.”
Along with inspiring more filmmakers, Allen-steward wants more eyes placed on local Black creatives, many who are overshadowed within Columbus’ white-dominated film industry.
And in the years to come, Allensteward wants to implement more creative elements into the festival to distinguish it from more traditional events. Beyond screenings and networking events, there is to more be done to draw in local and international fans of cinema, the Columbus filmmaker said.
“Five years is a great catapult point, and we’ll work to spin (the festival) on its head to make it more fun,” Allensteward said. “Film festivals don’t have to be what the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes, Toronto or the Oscars are doing. It can be more interactive.” ehopkins@dispatch.com @Earl_hopkins1