8th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival Hosts Interactive Experience Designed to
Empower, Entertain and Educate
Opening Concert, Screenings, Panels, Workshops and Signature Events
August 20-27
Featured guests include Queen Latifah, Director Neema Barnette and Actors Crystal Fox, Keith
David, Omar Dorsey and Timon Kyle Durrett
The eighth annual BronzeLens Film Festival kicks off Sunday, August 20 and will run through
Sunday, August 27, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Festival headliners include 2017 BronzeLens Women SuperStars, Queen Latifah
(Girls Trip and Bessie)award-winning director, writer and producer Neema Barnette (“Queen Sugar,” “Being Mary Jane,” “The
Breaks”), veteran television and theater actress Crystal Fox
(“The Haves and The Have Nots,” “In the Heat of the Night”) and
award-winning filmmaker Nefertite Nguvu (In The Morning, “U.N.I.T.Y. Re-ignighted,” Black America Again).
Substantive programming, combined with a who’s who of the film industry has established BronzeLens as one of the nation’s
pre-eminent film festivals. With Georgia now No. 1 in feature film productions, BronzeLens has long attracted national and
international attention to Atlanta, promoting the city as a leader in the film industry.
Lamman Rucker (“Greenleaf,” Why Did I Get Married?) will lead the masterclass, Up Close – Through the BronzeLens: The
Art of Auditioning with Lamman Rucker. In addition, legendary stage and screen actors Keith David “Greenleaf”,
“Community”, Crash, There’s Something About Mary, Barbershop) and E. Roger Mitchell (“The Quad”, Selma) will engage in
insightful and revealing conversation during Sunday Brunch with the Brothers. They will be joined by “Queen Sugar” stars
Timon Kyle Durrett and Omar Dorsey. See the Festival’s schedule for the complete list of informative panels about film and
television production and for workshops for student filmmakers.
Over 60 films will be screened inclusive of shorts, features, documentaries and webisodes during the festival. Selected juried
films represent the work of emerging and independent filmmakers from around the globe, including, the United States, Spain,
France, Australia, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Trinidad Tobago, Germany and Switzerland.
BronzeLens events will take place in and around Atlanta including, the Westin Peachtree Plaza which serves as festival
headquarters, the Auditorium at Georgia-Pacific Center, Plaza Theater, Auburn Research Library on African American Culture
and History, Woodruff Arts Center and the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.
BronzeLens Film Festival Highlights:
Wednesday, August 23
The festival heats up into high gear with the opening of The Filmmaker’s Lounge @BronzeLens hosted and sponsored by the
City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment. In the evening, the kick-off screenings of official All Shorts film
selections begin at 5:00 PM at the Westin Peachtree Plaza.
Thursday, August 24
All Shorts All Day presented by BET Networks offers free screenings of 2017 BronzeLens short films selections at the Westin
Peachtree Plaza Chastain Room
Friday, August 25 Georgia Production Partnership will sponsor a workshop on the Status of Production in Georgia. This annual signature panel
discusses the amazing growth, as well as the need for production of film and television, in Georgia. Key decision makers will
discuss the present and the future of this over $8 billion Georgia industry.
Women SuperStars Luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of women of color in the film and television industry. Honorees
include Queen Latifah , filmmaker Neema Barnette, actress Crystal Fox, and
filmmaker Nefertite Nguvu.
First Glance Friday Feature Presentation: A BronzeLens Exclusive to all festival Screening Pass holders
Attendees will get a “First Glance” of OWN Network’s ‘Black Love’ which highlights love stories from the black community
and seeks to answer the burning question, What is the secret to making a marriage work? Husband-and-wife filmmakers Codie
and Tommy Oliver present love stories from some of the most successful people in business and entertainment as well as
everyday couples. Featured couples include Oscar® winner Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Hollywood power couple Meagan
Good and DeVon Franklin, and more.
Saturday, August 26
Master Class – Up Close Through the BronzeLens: The Art of Auditioning with Lamman Rucker. Rucker will discuss how
to jumpstart a career in the business, the audition process, and how to be sustainable in the film and television industry.
The eighth annual BronzeLens Awards Show will salute the “Best of Festival” filmmakers. Categories include the best in
Features, Documentaries, International Films, Shorts, Student Films, and Web Series, as well as Best Actress and Best Actor.
Sunday, August 27
Sunday Brunch with the Brothers salutes men of color in film and television who are making waves as they share lessons
from their journeys. Insightful and revealing conversations with legendary stage and screen actors Keith David, E. Roger
Mitchell and joined by Timon Kyle Durrett and Omar Dorsey. Breakfast treats and hot conversation are on the menu.
Cinema and Social Justice Sunday, a unique and critical component of the festival, featuring a socially-relevant film and
conversation that address issues of concern, will culminate the festival. Screening will be held at the Auburn Research Library on
African American Culture and History.
