2020 BLACK ALPHABET CINCY
FILM FESTIVAL
3rd Annual Black Alphabet Cincy Film Festival
THURSDAY • JUNE 25, 2020
7:30PM - 12:00AM EST
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Cincy Black Pride presents our 3rd Annual Black Alphabet Film Festival (BAFF). Since its inception in 2013, BAFF has worked to encourage storytelling, cultivate new dialogues and educate communities about the cultural and social contributions that Black LGBTQ-identified people have made upon the world. The founding mission, "to identify and present the stories that portray the variety of gender and sexual expressions of the Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ) community through the art of film," has sustained the organization for several years. Black Alphabet's vision and mission reflect the desire to use media and the creative arts to promote healthy and whole lifestyles to the Black LGBTQ+ community.
King Ester
This is the story of Ester, a trans woman struggling to find her path in New Orleans during the week before Hurricane Katrina. In the face of an evacuation order, she is forced to make a choice that will impact her future forever. Will she get out on time?
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Written and directed by Dui Jarrod (Brooklyn. Blue. Sky. on BET.com), this short-form scripted series explores the intersection of race, class, and gender in a uniquely NOLA context. Starring Janet Hubert (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Angelica Ross (Pose, Her Story), and introducing Rowin Amone as Ester.
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King Ester was recently nominated for four Emmy awards, including Outstanding Digital Writing Team, Outstanding Digital Directing Team, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Drama Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Drama Series.
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Rafiki
“Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. Despite the political rivalry between their families, the girls resist and remain close friends, supporting each other to pursue their dreams in a conservative society. When love blossoms between them, the two girls will be forced to choose between happiness and safety.
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Wolf
A family is shaken to the core when they discover that their son has been molested. As they struggle to deal with the betrayal, their son heads towards a total mental collapse because of his love for his abuser.
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Ya’Ke Smith’s films have received worldwide acclaim, screening and winning awards at more than 90 film festivals. The Director’s Guild of America, the Student Academy Awards, HBO, Showtime, and the city of Buffalo, New York have honored Smith. His short Katrina’s Son screened at more than 50 film festivals, winning 14 awards. Smith’s debut feature, WOLF, which NPR called “an impressive piece by a young director,” premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival before going on to screen and win awards at festivals across North America; WOLF is now available for download via several video-on-demand outlets. Ya’Ke graduated with his Master’s of Fine Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin’s film program, where he now lectures.