25th AAWIC FF Festival Podcast
Guest, Felicia D. Henderson, Hosted by Sigrid Channer
Tune in to the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Podcast! In this special episode, host Sigrid Channer sits down with the fascinating Felicia D. Henderson, this year’s Trailblazer Honoree.
Felicia's accomplishments include, award winning Writer, Producer, Director, Scholar and Filmmaker. Join us for an inspiring conversation, as she shares her extraordinary journey through her television and film career. Felicia's passion for storytelling, and educating the next generation are important parts of her journey. Also, she talks about her gratitude in being recognized as a Trailblazer Honoree, during the 25th anniversary of the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival.
Guest, Nzingha, Hosted by Sigrid Channer
Tune in to the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Podcast!
In this powerful episode, host Sigrid Channer sits down with Nzingha, Emmy-nominated celebrity Makeup Designer/Artist and this year’s Guest Speaker in the Festival Virtual Experience!
Known for her bold, creative, and edgy designs, Nzingha shares her extraordinary journey through the entertainment and beauty industries. She opens up about her passion for championing representation and advocating for equity in Hollywood and beyond.
Hear what it means to be honored during the 25th Anniversary of the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival— Honoring the past, shaping the future—through vision and digital innovation.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation. Listen now!
Guest, Khalilah Webster, Hosted by Sigrid Channer
Tune in to the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Podcast!
In this special episode, host Sigrid Channer sits down with the inspiring Khalilah Webster — this year’s AAWIC Pioneer Honoree, media personality, and education
entrepreneur.
Join us for a powerful conversation as Khalilah shares her journey of growth, resilience, and the passion that drives her as a lifelong learner. She opens up about overcoming challenges, the importance of continuous evolution, and what it means to be recognized as an AAWIC Luminary Honoree.
Don’t miss this motivating episode celebrating excellence, empowerment, and the power of purpose.
Guest, Cheryl Hill, Hosted by Sigrid Channer
Tune in to the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Podcast!
In this inspiring episode, host Sigrid Channer sits down with the dynamic Cheryl Hill— this year’s AAWIC Pioneer Honoree and Co-Founding Partner of the Harlem Film Company. Join us for a compelling conversation as Cheryl shares her powerful mission to be a catalyst in developing, acquiring, producing, marketing, and distributing Black and Latinx independent films for the global market.
She also reflects on what it means to be honored during the 25th anniversary of the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival.
You won’t want to miss this impactful episode! Listen now!
Guest, Allison McGevna, Hosted by Sigrid Channer
Tune in to the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Podcast! In this special episode, host Sigrid Channer sits down with the dynamic Allison McGevna, this year’s AAWIC Pioneer Honoree and Senior Vice President of Digital Content at iONE Digital. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Allison shares her powerful journey through media, her passion for storytelling, and what it means to be honored during the 25th anniversary of the African American Women in Cinema Film Festival.
This is a celebration of vision, legacy, and the future of digital media—don’t miss it!
Women of Color in Comedy
"Wife. Mom. Boss. Comedian. The Many Hats of Nicky Sunshine"
Join us for the 25th African American Women In Cinema Film Festival (AAWIC FF) Virtual Experience Talk Back featuring Marsha Taylor, CEO of Hidden Agenda, and special guest Nicky Sunshine. Ms. Sunshine is a talented actress, voice-over artist, and stand-up comedian. Her critically acclaimed, self-written one-woman show, "Confessions of a Massage Parlor Madam," has powerfully raised awareness around issues of sex trafficking, sex work, and sexual assault. In addition to her artistic contributions, she serves as a Financial Administrator and Board Member of WOW Café Theater on the Lower East Side and as Treasurer of "Voice Actors of NYC." A dynamic media presence, Ms. Sunshine is also a radio personality on 108soul.com and co-owner of the new performance venue “Comedy in Harlem.”
25th NEXT GENERATION FILMMAKERS
The next generation of filmmakers represents a vibrant tapestry of creativity, innovation, and diversity. With boundless imagination and access to cutting-edge technology, these emerging talents are reshaping the landscape of cinema. From bold narratives that challenge the status quo to groundbreaking techniques that push the boundaries of storytelling, the next generation is unapologetically carving out their place in the industry. With a keen eye for authenticity and a commitment to inclusivity, these filmmakers are amplifying voices that have long been marginalized, sparking important conversations and driving social change. As they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of filmmaking, the next generation is poised to leave an indelible mark on cinema, ushering in a new era of storytelling that reflects the rich tapestry of human experience.
Next Generation of Filmmakers screening Encore Presentation!
25th AAWIC FF SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO 6888 BATTALION
About African American Women in Cinema
The African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) organization is honored to pay tribute to the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during the 25th Annual AAWIC Film Festival. Known as the "Six Triple Eight," this all-Black, all-female battalion made history as the only all-Black Women's Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II. Their courageous service and commitment ensured the timely delivery of millions of pieces of mail to U.S. troops, boosting morale on the front lines. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, the women of the 6888th exemplified excellence, discipline, and perseverance. AAWIC proudly honors their legacy, shedding light on a vital chapter in American history that continues to inspire generations.
Photo Credit: womenofthe699th.org
25TH AAWIC FF PIONEER HONOREE
Donna Biscoe
Donna Biscoe, the 2025 AAWIC Film Festival Pioneer Honoree and star of the highly acclaimed film 6888, is a celebrated actress whose dynamic career spans theater, television, and film. She began her artistic journey on stage with powerful performances in productions such as Doubt at the Alliance Theatre, Holiday Heart at the Arena Stage, Crumbs From the Table of Joy at the Detroit Rep, and Heliotrope Bouquet Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. She also toured nationally in For Colored Girls, establishing herself as a commanding theatrical presence. Seamlessly transitioning into television and film, Donna earned acclaim for her versatility and emotional depth in roles such as the award-winning series In the Heat of the Night and the CBS miniseries Momma Flora’s Family. Her film credits include standout performances in Hidden Figures, Night School, and Girls Trip, where she shared the screen with Hollywood icons. On television, she is best known for her series regular role on Saints and Sinners, with additional appearances in acclaimed shows like Ozark, Kindred, Ambitions, All Rise, Sweet Magnolias, Outer Banks, Woke, All The Queen’s Men, and Tales. Embracing the horror genre, she discovered a new passion while starring in The Visitor with Blumhouse Films. Donna continues to captivate audiences with current and upcoming projects including Freedom Hair, The Supremes At Earl’s All You Can Eat, Tempted By Love, and Lifetime’s A Very Merry Beauty Salon.
Click the button below to view the acceptance speech of our 25th AAWIC FF Pioneer Honoree acceptance speech
25th AAWIC FF LUMINARY HONOREE
Marcel Reid, the 25th AAWIC Film Festival Luminary Honoree, is a trailblazing advocate for truth, justice, and systemic change. As a whistleblower liaison, former Chair of ACORN, and co-founder of the Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival, Marcel has made a profound impact on grassroots organizing, media advocacy, and whistleblower protections. Her leadership during a pivotal restructuring of ACORN brought her face to face with entrenched corruption and marked the beginning of her journey in championing the voices of whistleblowers. As a board member of Pacifica Radio, she led efforts to enshrine whistleblower support into the media platform’s mission—an unprecedented move that helped revive momentum for the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012. Marcel went on to become the first national media whistleblower liaison, a role she continues to define. Through the Whistleblower Summit on Capitol Hill, she honors First Amendment defenders with the Pillar Award, recognizing figures such as Senator Chuck Grassley, Representative Elijah Cummings, and CBC Chair Marcia Fudge. Marcel Reid’s fearless pursuit of truth continues to empower truth-tellers and challenge systems of power worldwide.
Click the button below to view the acceptance speech of our 25th AAWIC FF Luminary Honoree acceptance speech
Bonus Feature, Nzingha, Guest Speaker, "Inclusion, what does it mean"
Nzingha, "Talk Back on Inclusion, What does that mean?"
Renowned for her transformative artistry and iconic flair, Nzingha is an Emmy-nominated celebrity makeup artist whose work has redefined beauty standards across decades of film, fashion, and television. Her bold and unforgettable looks have graced music legends such as Diana Ross, Prince, Beyoncé, Lil’ Kim, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, and Lenny Kravitz, and have been featured in major campaigns for M.A.C Cosmetics, Candie’s Shoes, and Abercrombie & Fitch. In film and television, her credits include iconic productions like American Gangster, I Am Legend, Spiderman 3, as well as recent, critically acclaimed projects such as POWER (produced by 50 Cent), When They See Us (Ava DuVernay), and American Son (Kerry Washington), which earned her Emmy nominations and are all currently streaming on Netflix. A true pioneer and recipient of AAWIC’s prestigious Pioneer Award, Nzingha uses her platform to champion representation, celebrate Black beauty, and advocate for equity throughout the entertainment industry.
Fee: $25.00
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