It’s that time again! Haiti Cultural Exchange, which has made it its business to spread awareness about Haitian culture, is having its annual film festival. You should go and you should also invite your friends. Hosted by radio and TV host Carel Pedre, the festival will last for an entire week, and will feature a total of sixteen films. Why should you go? Well, why not? Here are some reasons why I think you should head on to the Third Annual Haiti Cultural Exchange Haiti Film Fest!

1. You never go anywhere.

You haven’t been to New York and would very much would like to. Or you’re in New York, but you stay home, locked up in your room all day, you might as well be in the boondocks somewhere in Kentucky. But what to do? Get out for once! And what better way to enjoy life and enjoy yourself than at the Haiti Cultural Exchange’s Haiti Film Fest!

2. It ain’t just about the music, maaan!

Yep, there’s some hip music involved. Music? Yes, music—music as in opening night headliner Ioan Delice and roots artist Sanba Zao, and DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry.

3. Films galore!

Freedom by Matthew Brown will have its New York Premiere at the festival. Written by Ella Turenne, the docupoem centers on the Haitian Revolution. Wood-Jerry Gabriel, a graduate of Cine Institute—a film school based in Jacmel, Haiti—will debut his short La Veuve (The Widow). Most of the screenings following opening night will not cost you a cent, although a donation is welcomed.

“But,” you say, “I can always catch a movie at the movie theater this weekend!”…Yeah? Could you? Yeah, you probably could, but will they be in the same caliber as the 16 aforementioned films that will be screened at the Haiti Cultural Xchange Film Fest? And if they are, will you also get the opportunity to mingle and network with other folks in the community? Speaking of which…

4. New Haitian friends!

Now kreyolicious boys and girls, you know the last time you were in a room full of Haitians was at your Miami cousin Montoya Bonquisha Jean’s communion back when you were nine. This is the perfect time to reconnect. The three F’s…films, friends, and…what’s the third F? I can’t think of it now, but saying The Three F’s sounded so catchy.

5. You will be contributing to a good cause.

Since its launch in the early 2010s, Haiti Cultural Exchange has been offering one huge cultural lesson after another with its events and poetry readings. Your admission fee will go towards its mission of promoting Haitian art, music, culture—and will assure that there’s a fourth edition of the Haiti Film Fest next year!

The Haiti Film Fest will launch on May 7th at this location:

DROM NYC
85 Avenue A
New York, New York 10009

Be there! Ooh, and also, do catch a preview of Forever Yours—scheduled to be screened on the evening of May 10th—below.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FILM FEST’S SCHEDULE

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE FESTIVAL | CLICK HERE TO READ AN INTERVIEW WITH HAITI CULTURAL XCHANGE’S FOUNDER REGINE M. ROUMAIN | CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

Myrlande Charelus hasn’t release her first feature him yet, but you better believe that her name will be mentioned in the same breath and in the same sentence as cinematic luminaries like Euzhan Palcy, Frances Marion, Dorothy Arzner, Julie Dash, Sophia Coppola, and Myrlande’s personal favorite Ava Duvernay. While at Howard University, she was part of the crew of several productions, including a short film she wrote and directly. She recently spent some time in Haiti to film 4:53, a project with which she worked with the prolific Abdias Laguerre. She wrote the project and serve as its director, and it won’t be her last.

Kreyolicious: So, you’re at Howard finishing your MFA in Film. What has the experience been like?
Yes, well I recently graduated from Howard, where President Obama and Cecily Tyson were keynote speakers. I have now earned my MFA and hopefully someday I will have my [doctorate] in Third World cinema.

My experience from Howard was nothing to what I expected. I have built great relationships with some of the best people such professors and students I have met. Haile Gerima-I would say is my biggest accomplishment attending Howard—one of the hardest professors who’s ever taught me. However, my journey through film school would have almost been nothing without him. I have gained a mentor. He’s also a big deal in the black film community. He is a big deal to have as a mentor.

Above: Filming scenes for her film 4:53 in Haiti.

Kreyolicious: You have a project entitled 4:53. That’s rather intriguing. How does that number relate to the plot, or should I take a guess instead of asking? Is it an apartment number, a suite number, a set of digits significant in a milestone of the characters’ lives?
4:53– that’s my baby! My current project! The number signifies the time the earthquake struck down Haiti back on January 12th, 2010 at exactly 4:53pm. 4:53 can represent a circumstance or event that dramatically changes your life. It is a figurative earthquake! The story itself focuses on a boy proud of his heritage who is forced to leave his mother in Haiti to live with his ashamed father in the US. I wanted to play with culture, self-identity and colorism.

Above: Back in DC, the fledging filmmaker has a moment of reflection.

Kreyolicious: The last time I interviewed you; you professed admiration for Ava Duvernay. Do you still look up to her?
Yes, I love Ava. One of my professors is a great friend of hers. Ava visited Howard while I was still a student. What she is doing in the film industry is everything I want to do. I am not sure if you have ever heard of Array? It is a platform she uses to promote indie films.

Kreyolicious: Yes, I actually have heard of Array…Have you read any worthwhile books besides your school textbooks that you feel give you a good handle on filmmaking and screenwriting?
OMG! Yes- I mean, I read a lot of books, for different reasons. You have to understand I am also a writer—so I read a lot. I read a lot, but I read based on the project that I am working on. With 4:53– I did not have to do a lot of readings. Rather I visited Haiti and interviewed some people who were affected by the earthquake.

Kreyolicious: What would you like to say to aspiring female filmmakers?
If it is your calling, go for it! If it is for the money, you’re wasting your time. My biggest advice would be to find your voice, filmmaking is mostly a man’s career. So is almost everything else. But don’t let that stop you from going after your dreams. Study your craft inside and out. Therefore, other people won’t feel the need to tell you how to do your job.

Kreyolicious: We will keep hearing of you no doubt. What’s next after this project?
This is what I want to do for rest of my life. So eventually, you will hear a lot about me. I am currently in post-production for 4:53, a project I plan to finish by next year. I am taking my time with it. At the same time, I am currently mastering a short-script. Hoping to go in production by next year.

FOLLOW THE FILMMAKER’S JOURNEY HERE!