{"id":176437669,"date":"2014-06-02T01:10:11","date_gmt":"2014-06-02T06:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kalamu.com\/neogriot\/?p=176437669"},"modified":"2014-06-02T01:10:11","modified_gmt":"2014-06-02T06:10:11","slug":"video-the-san-francisco-black-film-festival-is-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kalamu.com\/neogriot\/2014\/06\/02\/video-the-san-francisco-black-film-festival-is-back\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: The San Francisco Black Film Festival is back"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Sf<\/p>\n

May 26, 2014<\/p>\n

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\"SFBFF-logo\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The San Francisco <\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Black Film Festival is back<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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by The People\u2019s Minister of Information JR Valrey<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The SF Black Film Festival is one of the film festivals that I most look forward to in the Bay Area every year. This year it is from June 12-15 at various theaters in San Francisco.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kali<\/a>

Kali O\u2019Ray and his wife and partner, Katera<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

It was founded by the late Ave\u2019 Montague, and now it\u2019s under the direction of her son, Kali O\u2019Ray. Last year\u2019s festival featured dynamic documentaries about the legendary writer Iceberg Slim, as well as one on the prolific San Francisco born funk band leader Sly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The year before, I saw a great movie called \u201cThe Hive\u201d by the much sought after Black director Robert Townsend. Every year I\u2019ve seen great films that don\u2019t have the promotional budgets to reach a wider audience without the help of a festival like SFBFF.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am excited to be going this year, and I hope to see you there. Here is Kali O\u2019Ray in his own words.<\/span><\/p>\n

M.O.I.: Can you tell people the history of the San Francisco Black Film Festival? How was it founded?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kali<\/strong>: The SFBFF started as the brainchild of my mother, Ave\u2019 Montague. My mother really appreciated the arts, and the stage and the big screen were two of her favorites.<\/span><\/p>\n

When I was much younger she started a small business that distributed Black movies and TV shows. Now remember, this was at a time before DVDs and Netflix. This was at a time when you had to order special content and Black content was especially hard to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

From this venture she hosted a small film festival to supplement the San Francisco Juneteenth, and from that moment the San Francisco Black Film Festival was birthed. That was 16 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

M.O.I. JR: Who are some of the headlining people who have attended the festival in the past? What were some of the major flicks that you have premiered?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kali<\/strong>: I have not been to every film festival because near its beginning is when I spent my time in college down South. Some of the headliners at the festivals I attended or remember were Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, Billy D Williams, Danny Glover, Taraji P. Henson, just to name some of the top off of my head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Renowned<\/a>

Renowned filmmaker Robert Townsend, seated between Kali O\u2019Ray and Jac Taliaferro, is interviewed at the 2012 San Francisco Black Film Festival.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

As far as movies go, we have premiered many of the Black movies from a decade ago. I am noticing a new trend where movies go from the film festival circuit straight to online streaming or DVD. The festivals are becoming a way for people to gain exposure and a fan base to give their content more value.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is no longer necessary to go to the big screen to make an impact. This is still the goal of some, but people are realizing that the California Gold Rush is online. As online streaming becomes more popular plus accessible, so will the competition for content which is already including independent film.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am finding that many deals are being struck by the many companies who are seeking new content to compete for your dollar. I have been off cable for a year and getting ALL my content from the internet. There isn\u2019t much that I miss through the countless online streaming services available. I also get to view seasons and shows on my time, when I am ready.<\/span><\/p>\n

And now, some of the exclusives for streaming networks such as HULU or Netflix have become huge hits. I would bet dollars to donuts that the near future involves streaming taking over and bypassing the boob tube.<\/span><\/p>\n

M.O.I. JR: What will some of the highlights be this year?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kali<\/strong>: The biggest highlight of this year will be a better organized future. The ducks are lining up and that means great things for the SFBFF.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bay<\/a>

Bay Area film festival impresarios Kali O\u2019Ray of the San Francisco Black Film Festival and David Roach of the Oakland International Film Festival.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

We have gotten a couple of offers for our content, and we\u2019re looking into streaming Black films year round. We have a niche to fill, and we are getting closer to seeing that vision.<\/span><\/p>\n

The SFBFF gets countless films that most will not view because we often have only a couple of chances to screen them. After that moment, many of these films will be harder to locate.<\/span><\/p>\n

And if you miss the buzz, you may not know about certain films unless you pay very close attention to independent films. These are great films that need a platform and a voice to let others know of their existence.<\/span><\/p>\n

We want to be that voice and that platform. This would give us the option to show the thousands of films that do not get a deal but are well worth your time to see.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to film, there will be many supplements to this year\u2019s festival such as workshops and seminars. It is the mission of the SFBFF to introduce you to film as well as offer knowledge about the film business.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a place to get those missing pieces for your project or learn how to get your film completed DIY style. The playing field is getting much better and all you need is a good story and knowing how to film it.<\/span><\/p>\n

M.O.I. JR: San Francisco at one time was over 16 percent Black; now it is less than 5 percent Black. What makes the SF Black Film Festival important when looking at this fact?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kali<\/strong>: The festival is important for Black representation in San Francisco. It is important to celebrate our inclusion, no matter what the numbers may state. It is also important to share what is going on in the rest of the diaspora with San Francisco.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Black films that come out every year are like checking the pulse of what it means to be Black in America. These movies tell a story of the relevance of our contribution and legacy on a yearly basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are, in fact, archiving the Black experience in real time. I love what I do with the SFBFF and feel blessed to be a part of it. This is living to me and gives me breath every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is nothing I want to do more than bring films and the Black experience to San Francisco and the Bay Area. These stories deserve to be heard. The Black experience is, without argument, the American experience \u2026 picture that.<\/span><\/p>\n