Black Queer Cinema In New York

LS. Mickens Queer Black Cinema Film Series C/O Our Stories Productions, LLC PO Box 200595 South Ozone Park, NY 11420 qbcpress@yahoo.com
www.queerblackcinema.com
www.ourstoriesproductions.com
www.myspace.com/queerblackcinema

For Immediate Release
December 27, 2005

BLACK GAY FILM SERIES PREMIERES IN THE BIG CITY
The Silver Screen gets a “Fierce” Makeover on January 26

New York, NY (ourstoriesproductions.com) – January 2006, is an exciting month for today’s emerging U.S. and international Black LGBTQ filmmakers, producers, screenwriters and artists. Aiming to exhibit independent short and full-length feature films that preserve the legacy, as well as encourage the fresh, powerful, and positive representation of the Black LGBTQ Experience, Queer Black Cinema (QBC) will debut at 6:00 PM on January 26th at the Audre Lorde Project in the artistic, trendy area of Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York.

Queer Black Cinema, the brainchild of Our Stories Production’s founder, Angel L. Brown, is a monthly Black LGBTQ film series that strives to entertain and educate audiences with its niche programming. To officially ‘kick-off’ the fresh new series QBC will be screening a plethora of precious groundbreaking films throughout the winter. These films include: Sundance programmer, Roberta Maria Munroe’s classic short film Dani and Alice; Luther Mace’s coming of age short film about young Black teenagers living on the “down low”, On the Low; Faith Trimel’s expose` film on lesbian domestic violence, Black Aura of an Angel; Angel L. Brown’s witty and zealous short about the Black lesbian dating scene called Desperate for Love, plus many more.

In addition to providing a positive atmosphere for independent LBGTQ filmmakers, QBC will also provide similar support to independent musicians and service organizations. Artist and musicians are encouraged to submit their work for the audio enjoyment of QBC’s audience. Brown also plans to educate QBC viewers on healthy living by airing independent public service announcements (PSAs) on health issues in the Black community and trailers of independent filmmaker’s works.

This groundbreaking film series will also advocate Black LGBTQ history through its “Who’s Who?” segment. Audience members will be introduced to interesting facts and noteworthy contributions concerning various members of Black LGBT history. To add, Brown has decided to incorporate a question and answer discussion between participating filmmakers and audience members. Filmmakers will have the opportunity to clarify the defining art of their work. “QBC is not only destined to become the ‘Apollo for today’s talented Black LGBTQ filmmakers,’ it’s an official forum that gives the Black LGBTQ community access to films and other types of entertainment that is not represented on television or film festivals- gay or straight,” says Brown.

As an emerging director, screenwriter and producer herself, Brown is no stranger to “the invisibility” of Black LGBTQ films or directors on the film festival circuit. “I began this quest of providing a venue for Black LGBTQ independent filmmakers to exhibit quality works because there is little or no representation for us in many film festivals- gay, straight, or Black,” Brown passionately proclaims. She asserts that the concept of Queer Black Cinema was not only born to make Black LGBTQ community more visible on screen, but also behind the lens. The series will showcase films that portray the Black LGBTQ community in a more positive light, and expand the networking capability of today’s Black LGBTQ filmmakers and artists.

“The Black LGBTQ community wants to see OURSELVES on the big screen! Why wait for Hollywood, video stores or networks to showcase our stories from our perspective? We must move out our own way and just make it happen -no excuses,” declares Brown, a self-taught filmmaker and entrepreneur, with a background in musical theater.

The south side Jamaica Queens native is not only the creator of Queer Black Cinema, she is the founder of Our Stories Productions: a Black/LGBTQ/woman-owned production company dedicated to producing films, documentaries and music that bridges the gap between the Black straight and gay communities. She encourages more Black LGBTQ filmmakers, writers and producers to make more films knowing that QBC is alive. Quoting filmmaker Yvonne Weldon from Sisters in Cinema, “If we don’t support our images…who will?” Brown candidly expresses. Brown has a vision and knows that the world will soon take notice, as QBC steadily grows stronger and bigger.

QBC has put out an official call for new film, music and trailer submissions for the later half of 2006.

More information about Queer Black Cinema can be access at www.queerblackcinema.com and details about Our Stories Productions and it services can be access at www.ourstoriesproductions.com.
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