Maysles Students Part of Kick off for 20th Annual Harlem International Film Festival

Several Maysles students showed their newest work at the milestone 20th Anniversary Harlem International Film Festival (Hi) as part of the festival kick off in a program of curated short film's entitled Harlem Love. Harlem greats Stanley Nelson and Kara Young were presented with the annual Renaissance award as well as living legend and two-time Grammy-winning musician and soundtrack composer Vernon Reid. 

The screenings of the Harlem shorts followed by a Q & A with all the filmmakers concluded the evening with Maysles students at the center of the discussion. Hot Shot from the Harlem Globetrotters made a surprise guest appearance.

The Maysles youth films screened were: 

THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

Loradonna Frucci, Lizbeth Fuentes, 12 mins.

Basketball players Hot Shot and Cheese visit Maysles and their film students to reconnect with Harlem from behind their lenses. 

TWO IS ONE AND ONE IS NONE

Annette Hampton, 10 mins.

Being prepared is one thing, but there’s also being paranoid. Briefly speaking on her own experience Annette turns the question of emotions, expression and preparation to her friends.

FULLSTOP.

Camara Ife Aaron, Felicia Shayda Sobhani, 10 mins.

12-year-old Liv, the star of her middle school soccer team and its only girl. When she gets her period in the middle of playoffs, her best friends, Zora and Priya, have to help her find a pad so she can get back on the field and play. Along the way, they find an unlikely ally in a member of Liv’s all-male team.