When They Could Fly - part 2 of 3

This is my CCNY MFA '06 thesis film (Director/Producer) called: "When They Could Fly", which is a 28 minute narrative 16mm short film rooted in African Folklore. In the movie, a group of slaves live on a 19th century cotton plantation in South Carolina. Trapped, the slaves begin to lose hope as their situation appears helpless. However, hope is about to arrive in the form of a man who brings an impossible tale to the group. Can a "flying lie" bring hope and salvation to those who have none? "When They Could Fly", only in 2007 was selected for over 40 major film festivals in the US where it received several awards.
AWARDS:
Winner - Best Production Design
2006 Cityvisions New York Film Festival
Winner - Best Overall Film
2007 Texas Black Film Festival
Winner - Best Short
2007 Texas Black Film Festival
Winner - Best Drama
2007 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
Winner
2007 Top Ten Films in America
Winner - Best Independent Film
2007 Polish Film Festival in L.A.
Winner - Shoestring Award
2007 Rochester International Film Festival
Audience Choice - Best of the Fest
2007 Rochester International Film Festival
Winner - Best Short Film
2007 Montclair International Film Festival
Winner - Best Actress (Folake Olowofoyeku)
2007 ReelHeART Toronto International Film Festival
Nominee - Best Cinematography
2007 California Independent Film Festival
Nominee - Best Short
2007 California Independent Film Festival
Nominee - Best Student Short
2007 Bare Bones International Film Festival
Nominee - Best Short
2007 Arizona Black Film Showcase

"When They Could Fly" was the Official
Selection for these film festivals:
2006 Cityvisions New York Film Festival
2007 AFI Dallas International Film Festival
2007 New York NewFilmmakers Series
2007 Newport Beach Film Festival
2007 California Independent Film Festival
2007 Westchester International Film Festival
2007 Rochester International Film Festival
2007 Bare Bones International Film Festival
2007 ReelHeArt Toronto International Film Festival
2007 Sweet Auburn International Film Festival
2007 Texas Black Film Festival
2007 Zion Independent Film Festival
2007 Delray Beach Film Festival
2007 Atlanta Independent Black Film Festival
2007 Jacksonville Film Festival
2007 Cine Noir Film Festival
2007 Black Maria Film Festival
2007 USA Film Festival
2007 Arizona Black Film Showcase
2007 Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
2007 Secret City Film Festival
2007 Cinema Cum Laude Film Series
2007 Polish Film Festival Los Angeles
2007 African Cine Fest Barbados
2007 Damah Film Festival
2007 DeadCENTER Film Festival
2007 Top Ten Films in America Film Festival
2007 Montclair International Film Festival
2007 Hollywood Black Film Festival
2007 San Francisco Black Film Festival
2007 Film Festival of Cambodia
2007 Bluegrass Independent Film Festival
2007 Independents Film Festival Tampa Florida
2007 XXXII Festiwal Polskich Filmów Fabularnych w Gdyni
2007 Indie Memphis Film Festival
2007 Arpa International Film Festival
2007 Harlem International Film Festival
2007 Hamptons Black Film Festival
2007 Detroit Spirituality Film Festival
2007 Fort Worth Modern Art Museum Films
2007 Ojai Film Festival in California
2008 Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival
2008 Atlanta Pan African Film Festival
2008 National Black Arts Festival Atlanta
2008 National Association of Black Storytellers

CREDITS:
CAST
Folake Olowofoyeku
Robert P. Johnson II
Andy Locklair
Shelby Henderson
Livingston Thomas
Arnice Johnson
Pressly Coker
Jesse Ray
Yamar M. Ba
DIRECTED BY
Piotr Kajstura
WRITTEN BY
Stephen P. Lindsey
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Neil Yalkowsky
PRODUCERS
Piotr Kajstura
Stephen P. Lindsey
Emilia Moran
CO-PRODUCER
Luisa DelaMadrid
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Ted Ciesielski
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Beth Hedegor
MUSIC BY
Hekiro Matsuoka
EDITED BY
Darren Ryan

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• When They Could Fly
• Film
• Narrative Film
• Fiction Film
• Short Film
• Student Film
• 16mm Film
• Independent Film
• Piotr
• Kajstura
• USA
• African American
• Black History
• American History
• American Slavery
• Slave Folktale
• Black Heritage
• Black Experience
• CCNY MFA
• South Carolina
• 19th Century
• Education
• History
• AFI
• Dallas
• Black
• MonthTBFF
• PFFLA

[jlbenthall138]

That was nice

[ketrab77]

hey, I love it, good short, keep up good work, Bart,

[grazamel]

Congratulation on your good work!

10*

Amelia

[southasianboy]

this was really nicely done,

i'm a currently a student at ccny !!!