Acapulco Black Film Festival 2001
By Darralynn Hutson
The DGA Breakfast at this year's Acapulco Black Film Festival (ABFF) gathered a group of directors eager to learn about the Guild.
"When you come to Acapulco, you get a chance to see where we are artistically as African-American people," said Festival Co-executive Producer and DGA director member, Warrington Hudlin.
George Tillman, Jr., who became a member of the Guild while directing the low-budget Soul Food, said, "The Guild allowed me to meet filmmakers like Sydney Poitier, who I've admired most of my life. Shooting Men of Honor was the first time I really took advantage of what the Guild has to offer. Especially when it came to visual effects. I was able to attend seminars and really learn from other directors that had been in the Guild for years."
After three years of sponsorship, the DGA's presence at the ABFF is a platform of education and empowerment among the young African-American community of directors. Hudlin credits the DGA for contributing to the Festival's success. "The DGA is the most powerful union in Hollywood and one of the most inclusive organizations in an exclusive industry," said Hudlin. "The fact that the Guild continues to contribute and support the ABFF is a privilege. We are the ones who benefit."
Expressing similar sentiments, DGA director member John Singleton, who debuted Baby Boy at the Festival, felt the Guild had been given a bad rap. "I was in the same position years ago when I was considering membership in the Guild," he said. "Let me tell you, these 'old school' directors love to share their knowledge."
Most at the breakfast had initially believed the misconceptions about the Guild before joining. Love Jones director and Guild member, Theodore Witcher remarked, "I felt that the Guild didn't have anything to offer me. But then I talked to a rep about their health benefits. The DGA plans are phenomenal, and I was really surprised by the amount of support they give to independents."
Singleton concurred with Witcher's statement. "When you deal with studios, it gives you power to be able to go into your negotiations saying 'the Guild has my back.' You have to remember that provisions that now exist have been in place for decades. They're continuing to make changes and we are a part of those changes that are happening in the Guild right now. It's like being in a fraternity or sorority. If you choose to be active, a world of opportunities opens. If you don't choose to be active, well, that's your loss."
At the Black Film Awards Show, Singleton was honored with the Career Achievement Award.
Director Craig Ross, Jr. won the Festival Audience Favorite Award for Bluehill Avenue. The HBO Short Film Award went to writer and director Joy Phillips for Kickin'. Chicken With Lumumba by director Raoul Peck received the Lincoln Filmmaker's Trophy, an honor voted upon by the participating filmmakers. As master of ceremonies, director and DGA member, Robert Townsend, said, "What this Festival is all about is the future; the molding, nurturing and education of the future of Black cinema."
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