Black Lens Kick Off & More about 2022 Milwaukee Film Festival
/If you are a Milwaukee native or a film fanatic, we are almost positive that you’ve heard about the annual Milwaukee Film Festival. It is officially back onsite for in-person screenings! That’s great, right?! But have you heard of the Black Lens extension of the festival?
Created in 2014, Black Lens has a focal spotlight on Black film and filmmakers. While exploring stories in relation to Black roots and culture, these films are relevant to a wide array of different demographics—including you. How do we know? You’ll have to check it out to see for yourself.
The Black Lens Kick Off event started off with light food and refreshments while soothing music set the tone for the event. We were then greeted by the hostess with the mostest, Lexi S. Brunson [owner & active editor-in-chief of CopyWrite Magazine], who then introduced us to the co-founder of Black Lens, Donte McFadden and Chief Innovation Officer, Geraud Blanks. During the event we had our first look at the trailers for the featured films with Black Lens this year. We were then engaged in a range of activities during the entirety of the event including trivia whereas guests had the opportunity to win prizes, tickets, merchandise and more. They even previewed an episode of Black Reelness, the Black Lens Podcast.
Here are a few stills from films we can’t wait to see:
QUEEN OF GLORY
Director: Nana MensahUnited States | 2021 | 1 Hr. 18 Min.
BEBA
Director: Rebeca HunttUnited States, Mexico | 2021 | 1 Hr. 19 Min.
BITCH ASS
Director: Bill PosleyUnited States | 2022 | 1 Hr. 25 Min.
Director: Bill PosleyUnited States | 2022 | 1 Hr. 25 Min.
While in attendance at the Black Lens Kick Off, we got a chance to speak with Tiera Trammell from Milwaukee Film + Black Lens.
Can you tell me a little about what we can expect from this year's Black Lens/Milwaukee Film festival?
“The Black love through Black Lens short series where they showcase Black filmmakers and Black actresses. It gives us a sense of who they are on and off the screen. The short series works to amplify their voices and really show them in a light of love and support rather than the traumatic images that we’re used to seeing. The documentaries are also a hot spot for the people.”
What was your inspiration for wanting to be part of something like this?
“What we noticed in Milwaukee was that, Black people like film too. And there was a lack of Black representation in film and around Milwaukee through film outlets. Being a part of the Black Lens program, we really get to go into communities, go into schools and actually reach the people in the community to provide this resource to people in our neighborhood.”
While most of the film fest will be screened at Milwaukee Film’s Oriental Theater, they’re able to pour back into the north side community, Black stakeholders, and creatives doing these types of events. Black Lens brings film back to our community.
We’ve piqued your interest and you want to know “How can I help?” Come out and support! While donations and monetary support is always welcomed, the major investors are impacted by seeing how beneficial these types of events are for our people. It further shows that we need these types of resources in our community and by just merely showing up, that’s affirmation that this genre of interest does, in fact, exist and is, in fact, an important factor of the culture.
We hope to see you at this years’ Milwaukee Film festival running April 21st through May 5th.
Show up and show out!
Get your tickets here!
Imani for /CW
