UWHFF23 Program

Juneteenth 2023

Ebony Roberts

Jeta Stephens

Andres Gallegos

Colin Pawlowski

Onyx Roberts

UWHFF23 Title Sponsor

GroundFloor Studios (GFS) provides a space for collaboration and accessibility where makers can bring professional-level creative visions to life while making a social impact. This multi-purpose media production studio exists as a partnership between ChatterBlast Media and Big Picture Alliance – made for creatives by creatives. Centrally located and in close proximity to multiple modes of transportation, GroundFloor grants convenience and flexibility in addition to a vast collection of highend production equipment. GroundFloor also serves as a workforce incubator and source of social impact, allowing for the personalization of the creative process from inception to completion while cultivating a diverse pipeline of emerging young creatives, all in one place.

Master of Ceremonies: Williametta SimmonsSonpon

Dr. “Sweetie” Simmons-Sonpon was born in Liberia,

West Africa. She immigrated to the United States in 1995 due to the Liberian Civil War. Dr. Simmons graduated from Upper Darby High School in 2000 and continued her education at Widener University. Today, Dr. Simmons is a Licensed Psychologist with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. She

obtained her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Health Care Management (HCM) and Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) from Widener. Dr. Simmons is the owner of Integrative Psychological & Consulting Services,

located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. She specializes in mood and anxiety disorders, marriage and family therapy, trauma, and psychosis.

Our Jury:

Kyra Knox Kyra started working in the film industry as an actor while balancing her corporate job. A friend asked her to help produce a film. She realized that not only was she good, but she loved it! She took a leap of faith, quit her day job, and began working as a full-time producer.

Kyra's latest project “Bad Things Happen in

Philadelphia,” will debut at this year’s American Black Film Festival. Her film "The Time Thief," screened during the 2022 UWHFF. We are honored to have Kyra be a UWHFF23 judge.

Martin Alfaro Martin is the newly promoted General Manager of Al Día News. Martin is a prominent member of the media community. He loves community organizing and highlighting individuals making a difference in their communities. In 2018, he founded the annual Martin Alfaro Scholarship at his alma mater to help one undergrad student with the financial burden of attending college. Alfaro is part of several nonprofit advisory boards, including the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (YPN) and Graduate Philadelphia. We are honored to have Martin as a #UWHFF23 judge.

Hakima Benjamin Hakima is an independent short film producer, writer and director from Newark, New Jersey.

She began writing short stories of personal experiences and fantasy in her early teens to

escape the socioeconomic hardships of her environment. To date, Hakima continues to work with other directors and writers to help produce independent short and feature films. Her stories feature various facets of the Black experience.

Hakima's short film “Call End” screened during

the 2022 UWHFF program and we are now honored to have Hakima as a UWHFF23 judge.

UWHFF23 Lineup

“Black.Matters” This film is a visual protest about the revolution happening in America. Narrated by a spoken-word poem that highlights what many Black Americans are feeling, our frustration, our pain and the difficulty we have convincing others that there is a problem that needs immediate attention, a problem that has been deeply embedded in every fabric of our society for

decades, even centuries.This film is not only about the struggle, it is also about the power of our voices, and the importance of having allies from different cultural, social and economic backgrounds, all coming together to stand up and fight against police brutality and systemic racism. This film shows the beauty, grace, pride and strength that allows our people to

continue to rise.

Directed by: Kyndra Kennedy Kyndra is an LA filmmaker who studied screenwriting at the American University of Paris. After working in IT, Kyndra decided to start her own company in her field of passion,film, with Cinematographer and Editor, Kenneth Cuadrado.

KYNA Media, Kyndra Kenneth’s production company, is committed to continuing their filmmaking adventure through the creation of more ground-breaking, barraising, and down-right fun-loving film and video production. KYNA Media is on a mission to expand horizons and go beyond the expectations of clients, partners and audiences.

“La Guagua 47”

AL DÍA News and Ritmo Lab’s “La Guagua 47” Community Film Project explores the woven multicultural fabric of Philadelphia through the perspective of a vibrant, blossoming Latinx community in the city. The short film redefines the American landscape through the story of a young migrant, alone in this booming metropolis. Searching for others of Latino heritage, they discover a vehicle that takes him on a journey to the heart of the Barrio, a place that radiates a sense of home and belonging. This vehicle is the iconic SEPTA #47 bus, a historic transportation route that connects the seemingly disparate Latinx communities across the city. This work explores the significance of Latinx communities in Philadelphia through the integral role of public transportation for migrants, the socio-economically disadvantaged, and populations deemed ‘other’.

Directed By: Pedro Escarcega Born in Mexico City in 1983, Pedro Escárcega has always been inspired by the art of photography and videography. He earned a communications degree from Colegio Americano de Fotografia Ansel Adams in Mexico City, before moving to the U.S. in 2008. He lived in Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California, then he settled in Wilmington, Delaware. In 2013, Pedro founded Dream Art Studio, a full-service video production company that produces a wide range of English and Spanish videos. As a director, Escárcega is a natural visual storyteller and manages all creative aspects of his productions in efforts to capture his vision for the project.

“He has five business partners who share ownership of four different companies — Dream Art Studio, Dream Art Music, Mangos Marketing and Yummy Sessions. Pedro has a 10year-old son and lives in Bear, Delaware.

“Heart Beats” Heart beats was created asa response tothe issuesofcolorism, homophobia andself-identity within theblack community. Thefilm tellsthe story oftobias andjosiah, twoyoung star-crossed lovers whomustfind thecourage tostandupfor love against their opposing worlds. Andin

doing so,theylearn anevengreater lesson ofremaining truetoself.

Director, writer, producer, actor and editor are just a few of the titles that best describe Jonathan Rowan. Jonathan is the true definition of talent, drive, passion, creativity and vision. Considered a man of many talents behind and in front of the camera, there is no limit to the skills that he possesses. Combined with intellect, charisma, perseverance, creativity and a work ethic rivaled by few, Jonathan Rowan is destined to be one of Hollywood's next leading filmmakers. One of the first things that attracted Jonathan to the art of filmmaking was his love for the arts.

Directed by: Jonathan Rowan

“From Digital Divide to Digital Equity"

“From Digital Divide to Digital Equity" is a short documentary that uplifts the voices of Philly students, teachers, and organizers leading the fight for equitable internet access during and beyond the COVID pandemic - from parking lot WiFi to internet for all.

Directed by: Nasya Jenkins Nasya Jenkins is an artist from Philadelphia. She is an experienced in Photographer, Filmmaker, and Graphic designer. Her artistry is based in empathy, representation of her community, and emotional exploration.Nasya’s goal is to tell and encourage others to create bold and authentic stories through all mediums.

Over the past eight years Nasya has lent her talents to local nonprofit and marketing organizations, most notably Big Picture Alliance and Chatterblast Media. Her work with BPA, culminated in an Emmy Nomination.

“Family Reccipe” A girl's baking lesson from her grandfather teaches her acceptance as she learns the similarities between ingredients and people.

Directed by: Kamari Bright

Operating with the belief that everything she creates is intended to foster understanding of self and surroundings, Kamari Bright is an emerging videopoet whose work heavily reflects those themes. Her work has screened at various festivals across the world, and she hopes to spread awareness of video poetry as an outlet for creatives everywhere.

“Oreo” An “Oreo” named White Mike runs into some old friends and wacky strangers while waiting for a bus to a job interview

Directed by: Benjamin Jefferson

Benjamin’s Director Statment: I have often been called an ‘Oreo’ growing up in the suburbs as an upper middle class black kid that didn’t go to majority black schools. As a result, I often struggled with how I was perceived and am perceived by my own race. I think more and more black kids are growing up like I did and having similar struggles. This film is for my fellow so called ‘Black-ish’ people out there.

“Awaking Sankofa" “Awaking Sankofa" is a multi-dimensional artistic investigation into the histories we find ourselves to be a part of as Africans in the diaspora. The film was shot on location in one of Ghana's colonial ports, Cape Coast Dungeon Castle, where enslaved Africans were shipped

through the Door of No Return to the Caribbean and Americas. Created by artists Ian Keteku, Komi Olaf and Donisha Prendergast, this Afro-futuristic film travels through time and space on a journey to re-connect the dots of a scattered history while observing our present

state today. The piece experiments with generations of emotions steeped in philosophies and opinions of revolution that now live as poetry, film, painting, dance, photography, theater, sculpting, music, food, fashion, language, spirituality.

Directed by: Donisha Prendergast

Donisha travels the world, telling stories to advance humanity. She has produced work for outlets such

as National Geographic & BET. As a leader & community organizer, her activism has ignighted projects from building a school for girls in Kenya to marching to uphold indigenous rights.

“1942” 1942 is a multidimensional experimental film that explores a grandson finding self through the journey of culture, lineage, and history.

Directed : Keyssh DattBys Keyssh is a multimedia creator/writer and community organizer from Southwest Philly. They use their deep love of Black studies and abolition to create art that helps people learn and unlearn their biases around culture and oppressive social systems. When people see their work Keyssh wants them to see the influence their ancestors and the past they had on them. They want to create art that speaks to the emotional and physical freedom of humans. Art is their expression of freedom.

“Blue Journey” Blue Journey is a short film that explores the journey of generational healing. It is a love letter to the children of the diaspora who carry the traumas of our ancestors. What does it mean to heal yourself? What does it mean to heal your bloodline? How does nature support our return to self? How does our past inform our future? How do our ancestors guide us along the way? These are the questions Blue Journey asks.

Chisom Chieke is a multi-hyphenated filmmaker who’s had a passion for storytelling for as long as she can remember. As a Black woman, an intersectional product of the Black diaspora, she writes, directs, and produces stories that explore the past, present, and future of radical love, acceptance, and growth within diasporic communities. She is fueled by art, nature, and collaboration. Chisom is a second rounder for the SundanceTV Development Track (2021), Official Selection award recipient at the Sabira Cole Film Festival, and a member of “Insecure” producer, Amy Aniobi’s 2021 TRIBE mentorship program.

Chisom creates from the point of view of underdogs, outcasts, and misfits, bringing a new perspective and incisive wit to Black storytelling. She currently produces at Maestro Filmworks, an Emmy winning production company in Philadelphia, PA.

Directed by: Chisom Chieke

“OUT” A young queer person gains confidence through the artform of drag.

Dircted By:

Ileana Lam is a MexicanChinese lesbian artist based out of Los Angeles, CA. She creates illustrations and films that explore identity and how the internal emotional world translates to physical expression.

Ileana Lam

“What If Black Boys Were Butterflies?”

What If Black Boys Were Butterflies?, was created because

the director found that while other boys can enjoy a childhood of freedom, for many reasons, “Black boyhood” is a brief, complicated existence. What If Black Boys Were Butterflies? is an urgent social document. For Black boys, freedom is a luxury. Throughout history, this has been found to be true. This film explores that idea. Showing young Black men enjoying their youth and seeking liberation from these complexities, alongside the intimate off-screen conversation between two Black men, provides a closer look into this American reality.

DaeQuan Collier is a filmmaker, born and raised in Bronx, New York. As an artist of color, DaeQuan believes that his identity is an indisputable part of his artistry that cannot be avoided in his work, and he strives to create work that

properly illustrates their humanity.

Growing up in the Bronx allowed him to come across people and communities that often go untold. He believes that their stories are complex, beautiful, and important, and he works to tell them.

More at @daequan.

Directed by: DaeQuan Collier

“Freedom Hill”

Freedom Hill is a documentary that explores the environmental racism that is washing away the town Princeville. Explored through the lens of Marquetta Dickens, a native who recently moved back to help save her hometown. Princeville, a main character itself, is brought to life through several vignettes. This film uncovers the continuing legacy of racism in the U.S. and how the refusal to reckon with its own history still impacts and extends into the lives and lands of Black Americans today. The documentary uses Princeville, its residents and Marquetta’s journey back home as vehicles to examine what that responsibility, and lack thereof, looks like.

Directed by: Resita Cox Resita is a North Carolina-born, Chicagobased independent filmmaker and artist.

Resita launched her career in journalism at WTVD-TV in Raleigh, NC and WCTI-TV in New Bern, NC as a multimedia journalist and news reporter. Resita transitioned from news media to documentary film in 2018 & holds an MFA from Northwestern University in Documentary Film. Her film 'Freedom Hill,' a documentary about the environmental racism that is washing away the first town chartered by Black people in the nation, will screen during our program