The second annual Black Web Fest kicked off on Fri, April 13 at Kinfolk 94 in Brooklyn, New York. The Black Web Fest is an international event series that celebrates Black media makers and digital content. The first day focused solely on digital media as the day was broken down into two blocks screenings highlighting a curated official selections of web series. There were a total of 10 web series that featured a wide range topics including juggling career and family to tackling issues of sexual assault on college campuses, to complex romantic relationships to critiquing the role of social media in our everyday lives. Many of the web series featured were from emerging and award-winning black media makers.Black Web Fest celebrates the beauty of black culture and that was evident in the panel discussion that ensued after the screenings. Moderated by Jameer Pond, the conversation featuring three dynamic writer/producer/actors centered around what is missing from the media landscape as it relates to centering Black stories started off talking about their journeys.
“If there were Black content that tells stories of everyday people so that we could see stories that tell our stories as frequently as the majority we can continue to see different shades of what influences us, what inspires us we can continue to explore different ways of telling stories that also represent us that haven’t been told yet.” says Ricki Lynèe of Nuanse Entertainment who screened her web series Secret Admirer.
The conversation also focused on the power of the web in getting you and your content noticed like the success seen by Issa Rae and Donald Glover. Writer/Director Ashley Denise of Nuanse Entertainment says “You go out, you make your story and someone’s going to find you when you have a following. And then you’re going to bring your whole team with you and it’s just going to go from there.”
Co-Directors is Kam Kwame Berry and Stellah Isabella talked about the importance of collaborations in getting the opportunity for your art to see the light of day. Stellah shares a bit of advice that helped her: “I had a great teacher that told me once to use your friends in a positive way. Someone with a camera that wants to help you out reach out to them. What can you do for them that you can help them back with. “
The room was definitely filled with eager attendees looking to learn the business, connect with one another and to share their latest projects. I’d really enjoyed seeing the amazing new content that is being celebrated as the next most talked about web series that breaks barriers!
