Black History Month: emerging Calgary filmmakers celebrate Black culture, diversity in cinema
Black History Month: emerging Calgary filmmakers celebrate Black culture, diversity in cinema
Two Calgary content creators have created short films for an initiative that promotes Black film-makers and stories about Black culture.
Grants worth $20,000 were awarded to the film-makers as part of the first ever Black Creators Edition in a collaboration with Telus Storyhive and the Black Screen Office.
February also marks Black History Month.
"The stories I like to tell are stories that are influenced by the people around me and my community and how I exist," said Misha Maseka, Calgary-based creator of the short film Sweeter Blue.
She says her perspective allows for nuanced storytelling about how simple yet complicated the end of romantic relationships can be, and centres two Black protagonists in her film.
"By way of moving and existing in this body," Maseka says, "I already have a world view that is different from my white male counterparts."
She adds her film promotes awareness, appreciation and celebration of diverse communities.
ON SCREEN & BEHIND THE CAMERA
Most of Maseka's film crew were women and women of colour.
Anthony Onwardi is the cinematographer for Sweeter Blue and is pursuing his passion for camera operating in Calgary.
"The opportunity is what we always ask for. The opportunity to let us tell our stories and the opportunities to give us the chance to be as creative as possible," he says.
Anthony Onwardi is a cinematographer who shot Sweeter Blue
Onwardi said stories by Black creatives should be highlighted outside the month of February.
"I want people to understand that every day it's amazing to be Black. Every day it's an opportunity to get better at what you do. Every day it's an opportunity to show love to each and every person.
"To me," he adds, "Black History Month is every day."
DIVERSITY WITHIN BLACK CULTURE
Rochell-Ann Thomas is the filmmaker behind Scammed, a narrative inspired by her personal experience.
Thomas says that 28 days in a short month can feel crammed with celebrations of Black excellence and addressing slavery, and says that recognizing the richness of Black culture needs to become more regular and ongoing.
Rochell-Ann Thomas
Especially to share stories from the diverse perspectives that exists within Black culture, said Thomas.
"As a Jamaican, my stories are different than an African persons. Than an Asian persons. These funders give us the tools and resources to bring our stories to light."
Thomas said she was able to incorporate Jamaican expressions in an authentic way, because of her personal perspective as the filmmaker.
"Watching Scammed you can see the Jamaican part of it. Straight through each scene, you can see a reflection of my culture, some of the expressions that I would say, and that's the beauty about it."
The films are available to stream on the Storyhive YouTube channel.
Maseka plans to enter Sweeter Blue into national and international film festivals.
Onwardi continues to seek film projects in Calgary as a camera operator.
Thomas continues to manage her production company CSD Media with plans to create another film.
As Joe Biden makes his first trip to Canada as president of the United States, CTVNews.ca is offering live coverage of the leader's visit. Follow our live blog on CTVNews.ca and the CTV News app for the latest updates.
U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, as part of his first official visit since taking office. Alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden will be meeting with top officials and addressing Parliament in an effort to reaffirm the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
W5 investigates aging asbestos pipes across Canada and the potential health hazards if it ends up in your tap water. Watch W5's 'Something in the Water' Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.
An Ontario couple has filed a request with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) to appoint a new police force to investigate the death of their 17-year-old son Benjamin, who died during a hockey team-bonding event in September 2019.
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
The idea of using firing squads is making a comeback in the U.S. Idaho lawmakers passed a bill this week seeking to add the state to the list of those authorizing firing squads, currently Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
The United States' first lady will be given a sweeping introduction to Canadian sports culture in Ottawa today as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau takes Jill Biden to the curling rink.
Beaumont RCMP are advising the public that officers are currently on scene at École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School after a threat was made against the school online.
The Alberta Energy Regulator has cited an energy company for causing a series of earthquakes, including the largest recorded tremblor in the province's history.
U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, as part of his first official visit since taking office. Alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden will be meeting with top officials and addressing Parliament in an effort to reaffirm the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
A series of ancient landslides have been “reawakened” in British Columbia's Cariboo region, costing hundreds of millions in federal disaster assistance funds and prompting warnings that logging is connected to the problem.
The Tim Houston PC government remains firm in their promise they'll fix the health-care system by spending more taxpayer money on health than any previous government before.
A first-of-its kind study in British Columbia suggests salmon hatcheries could improve survival rates by optimizing the weight of the juvenile fish and the timing of their release.
A Victoria man’s life of crime has turned into one of survival, hope and advocacy amid ongoing conversations in the community about how best to tackle public safety matters.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Toronto Coun. Josh Matlow broke council’s code of conduct by criticizing two public employees on Twitter before retaliating against one of them after she filed a complaint, the city’s integrity commissioner has found.
With fares set to increase in a matter of days, a new report has found that Torontonians are already paying more than residents in most other cities for transit when compared to average incomes.
Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could see asylum seekers turned back at irregular border crossings across the border, including Roxham Road in Quebec.
For the first time, the owner of a building in Old Montreal has responded to questions about the fire — through his lawyer — addressing allegations that the building was unsafe.
Montreal police say they don't think they'll find more than seven bodies in the rubble of an Old Montreal building that caught fire eight days ago. Police told reporters today they don't have reports of more people missing, adding that it's "improbable" there are more than seven victims.
Ottawa residents are being told to expect road closures, transit delays and heightened security in the downtown core today, as U.S. President Joe Biden continues his visit to the capital. Here's what you need to know about Biden's second day in Ottawa.
U.S. President Joe Biden has made it to Canada, as part of his first official visit since taking office. Alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Biden will be meeting with top officials and addressing Parliament in an effort to reaffirm the strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship.
An uncommon phenomenon lit up the skies across southern Ontario on Thursday night, including in Waterloo region where the aurora borealis – also known as the northern lights - shone bright enough to see with the naked eye.
The ‘Catch the Ace’ jackpot is still up for grabs in Hagersville. There was no winner Thursday night so the total prize money is now an estimated $1,526,067.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
An alleged victim of a former staff member of Legacy Christian Academy can now be identified after she successfully petitioned in court to have a publication ban lifted.
In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s provincial budget, school divisions in Saskatchewan were expecting funding levels to increase, with the province repeatedly touting its $1 billion surplus.
Ontario’s self-described crypto king was allegedly abducted, tortured, and beaten for days as his kidnappers looked to solicit millions in ransom, his father told a court in December.
Manitoba’s labour force is growing at a rate to supply enough workers for available positions into 2026, according to the province’s labour market outlook.
Canada's restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country's alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.
A recent report from the province’s privacy commissioner says the Métis Addictions Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (MACSI) failed to take appropriate steps after patient treatment files were discovered in a recycling bin.
Anthony Onwardi is a cinematographer who shot Sweeter Blue
Rochell-Ann Thomas
