May 2009 | blackfilm.com | FOURTH-ANNUAL SHORT CUTS FILM FESTIVAL

May 2009

FOURTH-ANNUAL SHORT CUTS FILM FESTIVAL

(May: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Current Issue * Archive

FOURTH-ANNUAL SHORT CUTS FILM FESTIVAL
Director of NBC Universal Talent Diversity talks about 4th Annual Shorts Fest

NBC UNIVERSAL ANNOUNCES ITS NEWLY EXPANDED
FOURTH-ANNUAL SHORT CUTS FILM FESTIVAL

Showcase Now Will Include Minority Talent Across All Genres;
Call for Entries Effective April 21-August 21, 2009

Premiere Showcase for Multi-cultural Short Film Talent to Be Held in
Los Angeles in Fall 2009

Furthering its commitment to diversity and inclusion, NBC Universal has expanded its ongoing short film showcase -- the fourth-annual Short Cuts Film Festival -- to now feature minority talent and filmmakers across all film genres. The shift from a comedy focus that will also include drama, horror and sci-fi demonstrates the studio's dedicated interest in identifying culturally diverse filmmakers, actors and content producers.

The deadline for submissions is August 21, 2009.

The winning participants will be granted an NBC Universal Talent Holding deal for the Best Actor, an NBC Universal pilot script deal and executive meetings for the Best Filmmaker -- along with a special international directing assignment from the SCI FI Channel.

Semi-final films will be screened before an industry audience in conjunction with the New York Television Festival in September 2009. Finalists then will proceed to Los Angeles in October 2009 for an exclusive industry screening.

"NBC Universal continues to push boundaries as a leading showcase for multi-cultural expression, both in the growth of our submission categories and in the enhanced quality of our awards structure," said Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBC Universal. "Our constant goal is to discover, develop and present cutting-edge work from a diverse perspective to our colleagues within the NBC Universal family and the entertainment industry at large."

In 2008, "Strange Faculty," by creator/producers Marty Johnson, Will Luera and Mark Odlum shared Best Film honors with writer/director Rafael Del Toro's "6ft. in 7min." "Strange Faculty" follows three deeply flawed teachers who receive superpowers when they're struck by lightning during a carpool. "6ft. in 7min" is a dark comedy about an East Indian guy who, thanks to his parents' traditional ways, has never had a normal childhood. Del Toro was also honored as Best Director, while Jose Compre was feted as Best Actor for his performance in finalist film "Little Bones."

NBC Universal's Short Cuts Film Festival was founded with actor/writer/comedian Wil Sylvince in 2005, to display and celebrate diversity in the entertainment industry. The objective is to allow creative individuals from every community the opportunity to present their material in front of key decision makers in the industry. When Sylvince is not working on the Short Cuts Film Festival, he performs on the national comedy circuit, on college campuses and in festivals worldwide.

In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Kendra Carter, Director of NBC Universal Talent Diversity Initiatives talked about her job and the passion she sees in it.

Kendra develops, produces and supervises talent diversity initiatives for NBC. Most notable, NBC’s Stand-Up for Diversity nationwide talent search, Comedy Short Cuts Film Festival, various talent scholarships and talent showcases. These programs create a pipeline for diverse talent and opportunities on NBC Universal television series. Kendra is also responsible for tracking the network’s placement of diverse talent in front of the camera. Prior to joining NBC, Kendra was a casting and talent development executive at Spike TV for several years. During her time at Spike TV, she served as a member of Nickelodeon Network's West Coast Diversity Team. She began her career as a casting assistant and associate for several high profile casting directors in Los Angeles for film and television.

How did the position come about for you?

Kendra Carter: I’ve always been a very ambitious optimistic person. I was raised that way. I’ve always set high goals for myself. I think the road to get to this position was a bit easy but I felt like I would be doing something like this one day. It’s something that’s needed in our industry, especially in the entertainment industry, so yeah.

What is it about the job that you love about?

KC: With the talent diversity initiative, honestly, to raise awareness in the entertainment industry wide. On top of that, I provide opportunity to diverse talent that may not have had those chances. Through the film festival, where your films needs to be diverse in production, cast, or theme, it opens the door to different voices to be introduced to high level executives where the opportunity wasn’t there before. It’s very rewarding internally and personally. It’s a job with great purpose.

How has the festival change over the years and what are your goals for this year?

KC: Well, we are still really new. We are still grass roots. This is our 4th year. It was the brainchild of comedian Will Sylvince, whose passion is comedy and also loves to make short films and the woman at NBC who had the position knew him and heard the idea that we needed to take this on as one of our initiatives. Throughout the years, we have seen some really good talent be presented to us and to the entertainment industry. We are able to seek help for them and develop them, and they are able to find other opportunities through us. We still have relationships with filmmakers from the first and second film festivals.

Do you believe NBC is making an impact from both sides of the camera, front and behind?

KC: I feel like we are. We also know that there is still a long way to go. Across the board there needs to be diversity in corporate America, in entertainment and various other places. Once that is more prevalent, then you will start to see more of them behind the scenes. Here at NBC we are definitely doing our part and holding ourselves accountable.

For additional information, please visit the 2009 Short Cuts website: www.nbcshortcuts.com

(May: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Current Issue * Archive