Hayti Heritage Film Festival: Destination Durham, NC Hollywood South

Feb. 9, 2009 - PRLog -- Durham, NC--- Long known for its tobacco and the signature Lucky Strike tower that still permeates its skyline, Durham, North Carolina transformed  to be known as the "City of Medicine", with Duke University Medical Center's  medical innovations capturing national headlines. Now, the former tobacco town, turned medical haven, will solidify its place as a major player in the film industry. The 15th Annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival  (HHFF) will bring out film lovers from around the country, and its own list of celebrity filmmakers. From February 19-22, Emmy award winner Dante James,of the critically-acclaimed PBS series, "Slavery and the Making of America" will serve as a judge and panelist at the festival. In addition, Christine Swanson, who CNN identified "as one of the most promising filmmakers to emerge from NYU's graduate film program, since Ang Lee, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone," will also be a welcomed addition to the festival panel. Cedric Pendleton, an actor with a recurring role in Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Ronnie Warner, the executive producer of the 2007 movie hit, This Christmas, add to the star power that will be present in the southern town.

A Festival With a Purpose
Given today's economic climate, financial health is virtually on the mind of every American. The HHFF co-chairs Dilsey Davis and Angela Ray came up with the concept of a short film financial challenge. "Everyone wants to know how to navigate these cash-strapped times. We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for student filmmakers--and those who aren't students, to express themselves in a short film that could be used as a resource....a learning tool for others", states Ray.  Atlanta-based financial institution, SunTrust Bank agreed to serve as its sponsor, as did the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development and the Community Reinvestment Association.  Similar to the international 48 hour film challenge, student filmmakers are encouraged to work in groups to combine their knowledge of video/film and communications to create a 90 second to 5 minute film that addresses such issues as: college loans, the importance of saving, credit cards, debt management and more. There is a checklist regarding qualifications for participation and the submission of films in both the general film submission category and the SunTrust Short Film Financial Challenge. Go to, www.hayti.org to download the appropriate forms and applications. The deadline for the SunTrust Short Film Financial Challenge has been extended to February 13, 2009. Suggestions for financial resource information is also provided within the HHFF application forms. "The North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development in their co-sponsorship of the short film financial challenge wanted to be certain that those filmmakers that choose to participate knew of credible resources to reference for their films," said Davis, co-chair of the HHFF. Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia will not be considered as a credible reference for the SunTrust Short Film Financial Challenge. Winners of both the general film submission category and the financial challenge will have their films shown during the awards ceremony, February 22, 2009.


There's Something for Everyone
The 15th annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival has something for everyone who comes out to the event. The opening day of the festival, Thursday, February 19th is Community Film Day, and is free and open to the general public. On Friday, February 20th, the afternoon belongs to the student filmmakers, who will receive a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with celebrity filmmakers who will school them on the industry. Saturday morning February 21st, short and long film screenings will be shown, along with a special Kid'z film block. And on Sunday, February 22nd, inspirational films will be shown from 1:00-3:00 p.m. There are many other activities taking place within the HHFF, but the overall goal is to keep the community engaged in the activities of Durham's Hayti Heritage Center. Tickets and passes for the viewing of films and events are available at the Hayti Heritage Center and on their website, http://www.hayti.org. The cost of a HHFF pass is $50.00. All films and applications must be submitted to: The Hayti Heritage Film Festival, 804 Old Fayetteville Road, Durham, NC  27702. Email: haytifilmfestival@yahoo.com   FAX: (919) 667-1558  

About the Hayti Heritage Center: The Hayti Heritage Center is the home of the St. Joseph 's Historic Foundation, Inc., which was founded in 1975. It is an African American cultural and educational institution deeply rooted in the historic Hayti community of Durham, North Carolina . The Hayti Heritage Center hosts numerous cultural arts programming annually, that examine the experiences of Americans of African descent--locally, nationally and globally. The Hayti Heritage Center is the former St. Joseph 's A.M.E. Church ,  a National Historic Landmark and economic anchor to the greater Durham community.  
 
Editor's Note: For media credentials, and  photos, contact Pam Purifoy e-mail only at prpropam1@yahoo.com

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