A competitive section for short-form episodic television directed by and/or both written and produced by persons of African descent. Each series in this section will compete for the Jury Award for Best Series (Television or Web) (presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, $2,500 cash prize). The following are the 2023 official selections in the Series category:
Being Alex
USA | 11 min | WORLD PREMIERE
An eclectic high school sophomore embarks on an entertaining journey of self discovery amidst a spiraling pandemic and life changing social revolution.
Director: Christopher J. Love | Writer: Christopher J. Love | Producer: LaShanda Simmons-Calhoun | Cast: Koby Calhoun, Roman Vargas, Paula Velasquez
Bloom Room
CANADA | U.S. FESTIVAL PREMIERE
In the midst of a global pandemic, a group of twenty-somethings explore the complexities of Black mental health and the bonds of chosen family in an online plant care community.
Directors: Tristen Sutherland, Christian Anderson, Yasmijin Nicolle, Sochima Nwakaeze, Ajhanis Charley | Writers: Tristen Sutherland, Christian Anderson, Yasmijin Nicolle, Sochima Nwakaeze, Ajhanis Charley, Maryan Haye, Anthony Meeks, Yonas Ogubu | Producers: Alexx Bryant, Caleb Phillips, Anthony Jhade, Kelvin Omori, Rochelle Chambers, Funsho Elegbeleye | Executive Producers: Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh- George | Cast: Lane Webber, Brittany Miller, Blane Soloman, Jordan Henry
Buzz Kill
USA | 15 min | WORLD PREMIERE
A charismatic and chubby black queer millennial’s life is shaken up when romance, career and family issues collide.
Director: Jessie B. Evans | Writers: Jessie B. Evans, Terrance ‘Mo County’ Williams | Producers: Jessie B. Evans, Credere Joseph, Terrance ‘Mo County’ Williams | Cast: Terrance ‘Mo County’ Williams, Marcel J. Sawyer, Danielle Carter, Stewart Jewett, Christian Omari, Jessie B. Evans
Criblore: A Horror Anthology
USA | 14 min | WORLD PREMIERE
An anthology series that follows a group of eccentric characters and their encounters with witches, werewolves, mermaids, trolls, and more.
Directors: Lucien Christian Adderley, Richard “Byrd” Wilson | Writers: Lucien Christian Adderley, Richard “Byrd” Wilson | Executive Producer: Moon Lee Ferguson (Creator of Series) | Cast: Terayle Hill, Brittany S. Hall
Dolla Van
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USA | 9 min
Two Trinidadian siblings; Jordana and Khalid face challenges starting their own Flatbush Avenue dollar van service.
Director: Gabriel A. Tolliver | Writer: Gabriel A. Tolliver; Vinay Chowdry | Producer: Vinay Chowdry; Kecia Élan Cole; Kuye Youngblood | Cast: Jordana Persad, Khalid Hamid, Arthur Gregory Pugh, Walter T. Mudu
I’ll Make You Better: Thomas Jules, Knicks Fan Counselor
USA | 2 min | U.S. FESTIVAL PREMIERE
An aspiring self-help guru tries to strengthen his reputation while not alienating his loyal clientele of rabid Knicks fans.
Director: Andrew Edghill | Writers: Andrew Edghill, Lee O. Valentin | Producer: Andrew Edghill | Cast: Lee O. Valentin
I Was a Soul Train Dancer
USA | 11 min
“I Was a Soul Train Dancer” is a mini-docs series that profiles some of the most recognizable and memorable soul train dancers from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s.
Director: Timiza Sanyika | Writer: Timiza Sanyika | Producer: Timiza Sanyika | Cast: Aretha Jackson, Larry “Bobcat” Jefferies
Love Trial
USA | 15 min | U.S. FESTIVAL PREMIERE
Two young Atlanta professionals hit it off fast, but find out rather quickly that finding love, & maintaining it — are two totally different journeys.
Director: Brandon Henderson | Writer: Brandon Henderson | Producers: Brandon Henderson, Ruben Ahortor | Cast: Kiah Alexandria, Brandon Henderson, Keon Mitchell, Christen Sharice, Tuki Daily, Phylicia Morgan
Shadowboxing – Round 1
USA | 15 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Andre desires to be the perfect boyfriend for the love of his life, Desi, but he struggles with a secret…Sex Addiction.
Director: Mo McRae | Writer: Mustafa Speaks | Producers: Mustafa Speaks, Michelle Mitchenor, Mo McRae, Lex Scott Davis, Anna Notarides | Cast: Mustafa Speaks, Adriyan Rae, Diego Parada, Jerrell Pippens, Lex Scott Davis, Shakira Barrera
The Federation
USA | 15 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Flex Incredible navigates the explosive world of Professional Wrestling in the 1990s, where the line between fantasy and reality is subjective in more ways than one.
Director: Kola Olasiji | Writer: Kola Olasiji | Producers: Kola Olasiji, Molly Neville Olasiji | Cast: Kola Olasiji, Miles Burris, Byron Hopkins, Patrick Malone, C.J. Hammond
The Lesbian Homie
USA | 10 min
A man tries to forget his recent past failed toxic situationship by pursuing another woman who he finds to have a lot of the same traits and attitude as the previous woman…..Deja Vu maybe?
Director: Jahdai Pickett | Writer: Jahdai Pickett, J. Antonio Figueroa | Producer: Dirty Chucks Entertainment | Cast: Jahdai Pickett, Stephanie Nelson, Kraig Smith, G. Wayne, Marche’ Howell, Lisa Yaro, Marlin Minks, Ciera Angelia
The Table
USA | 12 min | WORLD PREMIERE
The journey of London and Ed’s relationship is told over seven years primarily at their dining room table.
Directors: Caralene Robinson, Jamal Hodge, Crystal Whaley | Writers: Caralene Robinson, Nina Simone Moore | Producers: Caralene Robinson, Deborah Riley Draper, Crystal Whaley, DeDe Brown, Jamal Hodge | Cast: Devin Nelson, Brandon J. Shaw, Bevy Smith, Yvette Ganier
Third Wheel Material
USA | 11 min
When a perpetual third wheel struggles to find love and a sense of belonging, he decides to ask his two best friends, a couple, for help.
Director: Lyandre Pierre | Writer: Lyandre Pierre | Producers: Julian Park, Tezeta Solomon, Rickey Larke, Lyandre Pierre | Cast: Jerry Madison Jr, Charlotte Williams Roberts, Christian Robinson
Wallflower
CANADA | 15 min | WORLD PREMIERE
When a shy teenage girl is gifted a family heirloom, it sparks the courage to live life on her own terms, but as she evolves and becomes unrecognizable to the people closest to her, she must decide who she wants to be.
Director: Tristan Barrocks | Writers: Safia Bartholomew, Kern Carter | Producer: Leah Rifkin | Associate Producer: Corey Kareem | Cast: Kayla Kuhnke, Courtenay Field, Shirley Jackson, Romello Griffith, Ayan Elmi, Andrew James, Grace McDonald