Welcome...

Black Feminist Film School draws from Black feminist legacies to engage filmmaking as a tool for expanded awareness - filmmaking as spiritual practice. In this practice space our multiple perspectives and levels of experience/eldership are a benefit to us all. From introductory content to advanced content we explore the 5 primary areas of filmmaking - Development (Scriptwriting), Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production and Distribution (Screening).
Check out the video description at the bottom of this page.
Register for Development

Structure

Self-guided

The courses consist of five self-guided components and two optional opportunities for interaction (see adjacent column). Videos and handouts will guide the first five self-guided segments supporting you to:
  • acquire the tools we share for Bf* as spiritual practice,
  • engage a process that guides you step-by-step in creating the deliverable for that stage of filmmaking
  •  expand the way we use language in filmmaking
  • release some of the limiting language, practices and tools in what some call traditional filmmaking,

You can then opt to engage the faculty with a (draft) portfolio of work you have made in response to the self-guided activities for feedback. 

Interactive (optional)

You have the option to engage with us as we engage this practice space via 1) loving and generative (written or recorded) feedback from faculty on your work and 2) one live gathering with faculty and other course participants. The course culminates with this optional interactive practice space. Here we activate a key film practice space for example, a table read in the Development (Scriptwriting) course, filming a scene in Production, etc.. 

Courses: Beginning August 2020

Development (Scriptwriting)

A Bf* toolbox and collaboration are essential when we have an idea or draft of a script and intend to develop it into an excellent script that can birth a film. This comprehensive immersion into the bffs methodology deepens practice and builds relationships for the journey.


Course Begins: August 10th, 2020
Enrollment Open: August 3-17th
Learn More or Register

Pre-production

Pre-production is crucial ceremony prep. Those who know can attest like Alice Walker who describes making a film as an initiation. Getting there, to the sacred grove, the set, is a huge part of the journey! When we arrive prepared, grounded, surrounded by loved ones even the challenges can be experienced as gifts.
Course Begins: September 7th, 2020
Enrollment Open: Aug 7th - Sep 14th
Learn More or Register

*Bf

*Bf - Black Feminist, Black feminism, 

Your Faculty

Sangodare Akinwale

I'm Olorisa Sangodare Akinwale. Together Alexis and I draw from our individual and combined skills, gifts and talents. This is the platform we have built for our individual and joint offerings via Mobile Homecoming Trust Living Library and Archive!

I have been creating film, media and music for over 23 years. I have been teaching film and media production for over eight years including a teaching residency in the Film Department at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
more about sangodare

Alexis Pauline Gumbs

I'm Sista Docta Alexis, a Queer Black troublemaker and Black Feminist love evangelist! Sangodare is my primary collaborator. I'm excited for people to get a chance to access generations of love on their own timeline through this practice space.

I have been teaching poetry, creative writing, media literacy and film studies for over 24 years including work with The International Black Youth Summit, Duke University and the Eternal Summer of the Black Feminist Mind. 
more about alexis

More Details

Sangodare describes and demonstrates
some aspects of the course in this video.

*NOTE: This video has more details
than the one on social media (length: 3:40).
Register: Development (scriptwriting) Course
There will be four courses launched in August. They all function as pathways to the more in-depth Production and Post-Production courses. These four course we call "Introduction into Black Feminist Film (blank)" because we are reorienting what filmmaking is and is for within them. So, whether you feel like you are inexperienced or very experienced this is a totally different approach. The four introductory bffs courses will be followed by a more intensive offering in that same area (Development, Pre-Production, Directing, Sound & Score). 

After that, in October and November the Production and Post Production course will begin. You must have completed an introductory course to sign up for a Production or Post-Production course.