BronzeLens Film Festival Recap – October 22-26
The 5th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival in Atlanta proved to be one the most comprehensive film festivals in the nation. Attendees were empowered, entertained and educated.
BronzeLens Film Festival Opening Night FeatureOpening Night Feature Drumline: A New Beat kicked off withthe Bronze Carpet. Maggie Malina, VH1’s SVP of Original Filmsand Director Bille Woodruff, along with castmembers Jasmine Burkeand Lisa Arrindell Anderson shared their enthusiasm and got theaudience engaged in the Drumline: A New Beat movement.
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BRONZELENS HIGHLIGHTS, Friday, October 24Some of the Industry’s most accomplished headliners shared their insight from the field during BronzeLens 2014. Jimmy L. White, former writer on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, known for the screenplay Ray led a discussion about Writing Biopics.
Malcolm D. Lee and Bille Woodruff were featured during Roger Bobb’s Directors Roundtable. Roger Bobb, CEO/Bobbcat Studios, had an engaging, freewheeling discussion with a few of today’s hottest directors. He was joined by Malcolm D, Lee (The Best Man Holiday, The Best Manand Undercover Brother) and Bille Woodruff (Drumline 2: A New Beat, Addicted, Beauty Shop).  Malcolm Lee, Bille Woodruff and Roger Bobb
A favorite signature event for industry insiders, corporations and the local community was the BronzeLens Women Superstars Luncheon which anchored the Friday events at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel. Awards for the accomplishments of women of color in the film and television industry were presented to select 2014 Honorees. Broadcast Journalist Monica Pearson hosted the event. The life and career of the late actress and activist Ruby Dee was be celebrated during the luncheon. BronzeLens Women Superstars Luncheon Photos
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Saturday, October 25
Saturday was super charged with expert panels, world class screenings and top tier entertainment!
- Legendary casting director and producer Reuben Cannon led the Producers Roundtable sponsored by BET Networks. Aspiring college students interested in film and television attended the BronzeLens Student Track to help them earn “their Big Break” in the industry. There was also a panel discussion on funding your film, marketing, voiceovers and The Digital Diaspora Family Reunion.
- Educational and industry tracts continued with A CONVERSATION with Emmy Award winning Robi Reed–BET Networks VP of Talent and Casting) and actor HOSEA CHANCHEZ from the hit TV show “The Game.”
- Aspiring college students interested in film and television were able to attend the BronzeLens Student Track, for a day of workshops designed to help students earn “their Big Break” into the business. Also Hammonds House Museum Family Film Festival for children age 5 to 12 years presented an event that includes shorts based on the Coretta Scott King Book Awards and programmed activities.
- Digital Diaspora Family Reunion in conjunction with Through a Lens Darkly, Digital Diaspora (TALD) offered attendees the opportunity to share their stories and family photos on cell phones or as actual photographs. The innovative transmedia companion to Through a Lens Darkly, Digital Diaspora Family Reunion (DDFR) has reimagined the social network by inviting audiences to upload and share their own family photos, thereby building a “One World, One Family” album and take place at the Westside Cultural Arts Center. The film and Transmedia project are co-sponsored by Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Sistography and SCAD.
- International films were featured at BronzeLens in collaboration with France Atlanta 2014, Institut Francais, Art Mattan Productions and Africa Atlanta 2014 presented the Atlanta debut of Under the Starry Sky (Des Etoiles)by award winning director Dyana Gaye. A Conversation with Dyana Gaye followed immediately after the film, where Shadow and Act’s Film and Culture Critic Zeba Blay about her work and creative process.
- The ASPiRE Student Award at the BronzeLens Awards.
- The BronzeLens Awards Show was smashing. Actor, singer, all around entertainer and star of Tyler Perry’s Love Thy Neighbor television show, Palmer Williams, Jr. was in rare form and opened the show with a hilarious original video. Beautiful Actresses Crystal Fox of the Have and Have Nots and Keisha Knight Pulliam of the House of Payne and the Cosby Show also headlined the event. And, BronzeLens very own multi-talented executive producer Kathleen Bertrand thrilled the audience singing a duet with Palmer Williams, Jr.
Sunday, October 26 
As the festival closed, remaining activities included “A Conversation with Ava DuVernay” with a screening of a new, never before seen exclusive SELMA featurette, shared for the first time at the BronzeLens Film Festival. Paul Garnes, one of SELMA’s executive producers joined the discussion at the Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema.
Also, the Atlanta Premier of Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee was shown at the National Center for Civil & Human Rights.
The Closing Night film highlight was Russ Parr’s Hear No Evil at Georgia Power’s Arkwright Auditorium. Parr’s career spans nearly 15 years as nationally syndicated radio personality, writer, producer and director of independent features.
Recap Notes provided by BronzeLens Film Festival
