The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) kicked off on Friday, August 21 with an evening of Short Films as part of the HBO Short Film Program. This competition has included past winners like Ryan Coogler and Steven Caple Jr. The films this year were all unique and varied in style and storytelling. After every film was streamed, there was an interview with the filmmakers that was hosted by Bevy Smith to provide further insight into the process and meaning behind the shorts.
Here’s a brief review of the finalists for the HBO Short Film Awards:
Black Boy Joy
Black Boy Joy directed by Martina Lee is an exploration of three different generations of black men living under one roof. Will Catlett delivers a riveting performance as Miles, a grieving father who just lost his wife and is now trying to be there for his son, Selim, who’s on the spectrum. The grandfather, Otis, comes from an old school way of thinking so his views on how to raise Selim differs from Miles.
The film speaks to how older generations viewed and dealt with autism as well as masculinity. Otis played by Montae Russell, thinks Miles is being too soft with Selim, played by Evan Alex. It challenges the stigma in the black male community when it comes to showing affection to your son. Miles isn’t afraid to love his son out loud and allows Selim to be who Selim wants to be.
Martina does a great job of not villanizing Otis. A lot of our grandparents come from a different time and while that’s not an excuse, it’s just a matter of understanding. The most touching scene in the film comes near the end once Miles finally lets out all his hurt over the loss of his wife and his dad holds him. This may be the first time a moment like this has happened between them and it’s beautiful to see.
Black Boy Joy is directed by Martina Lee, written by Michelle Sam, and produced by Nasir Kenneth Ferebee, Jhanvi Motla, and Elizabeth Franco. It stars Will Catlett, Evan Alex and Montae Russell.
A Storybook Ending
Once the film opens it grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go until it’s done.
Lanre Olabisi weaves together a compelling thrill ride about a black man accidentally killing a cop in self-defense that leads to witnesses breaking in and attempting to blackmail him and his girlfriend. The premise is unique and offers something new. After the initial opening, I found myself confused for a bit but once the dots begin to connect everything hooks you back in.
The film goes against stereotypes. Rotimi Paul plays Wale who’s a tall dark-skinned man but isn’t what the media tends to portray him as. He’s not the toughest guy and that’s okay. Carra Patterson who plays his girlfriend delivers a bad ass performance.
A Storybook Ending is directed, written and produced by Lanre Olabisi also produced by Ross Vedder, Tiffany Smile. It stars Carra Patterson, Rotimi Paul, Toni Ann DeNoble and Sawandi Wilson.
The Cypher
The Cypher touches on homophobia in the black community and more specifically within the rap community. Our protagonist is Khalil, played by Nigel Cox, and he’s a battle rapper who’s secretly gay. He fears the truth coming out because he fully knows the reactions that would come from it within battle rap.
Wes Akwuobi wrote a captivating story about a young man forced to hide a part of himself out of fear of not being accepted. Rap is a big part of black culture but it doesn’t accept gay men and it never really has. Since it’s conception the rap game has used gay slurs as lyrics and still does till this very day.
Letia Solomon has a unique style and voice that lends itself to this story. The battle rap scenes felt real and authentic. The bond between Khalil and his boyfriend Marc, played by Juan Gil, was refreshing to see a gay relationship that wasn’t sexualized or without love. Everything was honest.
The Cypher is directed by Letia Solomon and written by Wes Akwuobi. It stars Nigel Cox, Kerrice Brooks, Juan Gil, O’Shay Neal, Nelcie Souffrant, Alexander Robinson, and Michael Devon.
Dolapo Is Fine
Dolapo is Fine is a timely short film about a young black girl coming to accept her hair and her name. Doyin Ajiboye plays Dolapo who begins the story wearing her natural hair but after an interview Daisy, played by one of the writers Joan Iyiola, she begins to conform to society’s beauty standards. She begins wearing a wig and changes her name.
White America always imitates black women but never accepts them. They love the Kardashians but shun Serena Williams. Workplaces critic and criticize black hair even going as far as to ban certain black natural hair do’s. By the end of this film, Dolapo embraces her name and her beauty.
Dolapo Is Fine is directed by Ethosheia Hylton and written by Joan Iyiola. It stars Doyin Ajiboye, Katie Friedli Walton, Joan Iyiola, Pamela Nomvete, Joseph Mydell, Gina Mckee, Luke Gasper, and Thamilvani Umaipalan.
A Rodeo Film
Darius Dawson wrote and directed this tale about Averill, a black bull rider who’s at a point of his life where he isn’t sure if he wants to be a bull rider anymore. His older brother is pressuring him to keep going but his heart doesn’t seem to be into it anymore. To make matters worse Averill is sleeping with his brother’s wife.
I love seeing us as black people in genre’s we aren’t normally dominating. To see a story about a black bull rider was refreshing. The performance by Jermelle Simon carries the film. There are real layers to what he’s doing with his character that makes me excited to see where his career takes him.
A Rodeo Film is directed and written by Darius Dawson. It stars Jermelle Simon, Phrederic Semaj, and Charlee Earle.
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