25th AAWIC FF Festival Programs May 16, 2025
1:30-2:30pm(EST.) "Tribute: 60th Anniversary-Bloody Sunday" Keynote Panel
Photo: Spider Martin
African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) is proud to present a special segment at the 25th AAWIC Film Festival in honor of the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday. This segment will feature a screening of a film on the topic followed by a keynote panel discussion on the historical significance of the event.
The goal of this segment is to provide a meaningful educational experience for younger generations, highlighting the struggles and sacrifices that were made to secure the right to vote. We aim to deepen the understanding of the ongoing importance of voting rights and the legacy of those who fought for them.
The panel will take place at the LaGuardia Community College located at 31-10 Thomson avenue, Queens NY 11101 (please enter on Van Dam Street between Thomson Ave and 47th avenue).
*Please note, the event will take place at the LaGuardia Community College Room E111 on the First Floor.
Keynote Panelist
Keynote Panelist: Dr. Leroy Gadsden
Former President of the Jamaica Branch NAACP. Dr. Gadsden is the founder and Director of the Alliance For African-American Awareness. A community-based 501c3 organization engaged in uplifting and advancing the community.
Keynote Panelist
Keynote Panelist: Madge Harris Allen
Madge Harris Allen received her MSW from Fordham University in 1990. Ms. Allen has focused her time and talent toward the betterment of African Americans. Due to her outstanding service as a Harlem Community Activist for over 40 years, Madge Allen was honored on February 14, 2021 by the New York State Senator, Brian A. Benjamin. Ms. Allen’ s community participation has included being a leading member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History for fourteen (14) years.
60th Anniversary Tribute Tickets
"60th Anniversary Tribute to Bloody Sunday" Keynote Panel
Fee: $20.00 (USD)
To purchase ticket click link below:
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The panel will take place at the LaGuardia Community College located at 31-10 Thomson avenue, Queens NY 11101 (please enter on Van Dam Street between Thomson Ave and 47th avenue).
*Please note, the event will take place at the LaGuardia Community College Room E111 on the First Floor.
Photo: SNCC Legacy Project
"Financing your independent film" Keynote Panel
3:00pm-4:00pm(EST.)
The panel will delve into securing funding through various sources such as grants, crowdfunding, private investors, production companies, and film markets to support the creative, production, and distribution costs outside of major studio systems.
Moderator-Lamonia Deanne Brown
Through the Gilchrist Group, Lamonia is the Festival Director for the Essence Film Festival (powered by Essence Studios), which she created at the request of Richelieu Dennis in 2019. Previously as a Consulting Content Strategist and Creative Development Executive at WarnerMedia OneFifty (a Warner Bros. Discovery brand under the Corporate Social Responsibility department), Lamonia managed the content development and strategy.
Craig T. Williams-Keynote Panelist
A native New Yorker, Craig’s been an indie filmmaker for over 20 years. A writer/producer at Red Wall Productions, a film production company he founded with Rosalyn Coleman Williams, his wife and partner of 23 years, together, they have created over 50 film projects. His journey landed him his first staff writing job on the hit TV show "TERROR LAKE DRIVE" on ALLBLK.
Ina Norris-Keynote Panelist
Ina Norris is a playwright, filmmaker, producer, and educator dedicated to using the arts for social change. She is the founder of In A Woman Productions and the Kwanzaa Film Festival, honored by NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Her work spans award-winning plays and films like First Fruit and Last Tango in Harlem. A passionate mentor, she champions financial access and distribution for independent filmmakers.
25th AAWIC FF Honorees-Award Presentation
Khalilah Webster, 25th AAWIC FF Luminary
Khalilah Webster is a digital-media entrepreneur and entrepreneurship educator with a passion for helping individuals and organizations succeed. She has a wealth of experience in the digital-media industry, having worked in various capacities to develop and deliver engaging and impactful content across multiple platforms.
Greg Gates, 25th AAWIC FF Luminary
Gregory Gates, Executive Producer, ImagaNation, has worked in production for major concerts, television shows and films for more than a decade. Serving as a production coordinator and more for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce' and Stevie Wonder to name a few.
Francesca Grimaldi, 25th AAWIC FF Luminary
Francesca Francois is a founding partner of Crystal Ship Artists Talent and Literary Agency. Francesca joined prominent representation company Fifi Oscard Agency, where she was franchised as an Agent within a year of joining. Later, she moved to International Creative Management (ICM), where she went through the famed agent training program and spent several years in the Motion Pictures department.
Judge Evelyn Laporte, 25th AAWIC FF Luminary
Judge Laporte became the CEO of Total Faith Network TV (TFN TV), a media company based in Yonkers, New York. TFN TV is a platform focused on uplifting and empowering the community through inspirational and faith-based content. The network produces television programming, talk shows, and events that promote positive messaging and spiritual growth. As CEO, Judge Laporte brings her leadership and experience to guide the company’s mission of inspiring and connecting viewers worldwide.
Wanda Matos, 25th AAWIC FF Luminary
Wanda Matos holds a degree in Marketing. She earned the role of Vice President and Director of Non-Profit Services overseeing the development of the NFP portfolio and serving as a liaison between these organizations and Ponce Bank.
FILM SCREENING PROGRAM May 15-17, 2025
Film Screening Programs
25th AAWIC FF FILM SCREENING PROGRAM features Independent film made by women of color. The film screening program consist of Narratives, Dramas, Documentaries and Foreign Films.
Viewers get to vote for the film that they enjoyed. The filmmaker who receives the most votes will be the winner of the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Audience Award!!
The panel will take place at the LaGuardia Community College located at 31-10 Thomson avenue, Queens NY 11101 (please enter on Van Dam Street between Thomson Ave and 47th avenue).
*Please note, the event will take place at the LaGuardia Community College Room E111 on the First Floor.