Category Archives: award

“I Am More Than My Hair” To Debut at Prestigious Black Film Festival

Movie Poster for I Am More Than My Hair. It reads "I Am More Than My Hair Directed by Alyscia Cunningham". A bald women stares into the camera at the bottom right corner of the poster. Above her cheeks to the top of her head can be seen in the photo. She wears a gold leaflike design jewelry on her head.

“I Am More than My Hair” is slated to debut at another leading film festival highlighting talented Black filmmakers. My documentary will screen at the 30th annual Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, California this month.

Film Laurel reads "Official Selection 30th Anniversary Pan African Film Festival 2022"

This is the first time my film was selected for a prestigious festival, so I am both humbled and honored. I am also looking forward to having the opportunity to compare it to the experience of smaller local festivals. I’m excited to see how it all goes.

“I Am More Than My Hair” is a documentary short that includes interviews with women who’ve experienced hair loss due to a health-related condition and their journey of self-empowerment to see beauty beyond the media’s standards.

Created by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover, the late Ja’Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is the biggest Black film and arts festival in the United States. Since 1992, PAFF has attracted filmmakers, artists, and unique craftspeople from over 40 countries and 6 continents to showcase their pivotal work and talent.

I look forward to being in attendance, especially given that the film festival experience after the pandemic hit has not been the same. I’m grateful for the option to participate virtually, but it’s nothing like being in-person.

Although unfortunate, the recent Oscar incident has created a buzz and raised awareness about alopecia. Jada Pinkett Smith is one of the 21 million females in the US affected by the autoimmune condition, which can occur suddenly or develop gradually over time. I produced “I Am More Than My Hair” as a platform to create awareness about female hair loss.

The show times for “I Am More Than My Hair” at PAFF are April 26th and 30th in Short Doc Series 2 screening to take place at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 and XD, 4030 Marlton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

For more information about my projects, visit www.Alyscia.com. To register for “I Am More Than My Hair” film screening on April 26th, visit https://paff.eventive.org/schedule/624117727be1700055b5b795April 30th, visit https://paff.eventive.org/schedule/62411800a7add80044a815fb.


See my upcoming events on my website. You’re welcome to read the entire newsletter here.

“I Am More Than My Hair” wins Best Documentary Short at Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival 2020!

What a beautifully challenging journey this has been (all bottled in one). I Am More Than my Hair is my first film. Although it still needs a few finishing touches, I am beyond proud of myself, my film editor Tiffany Lewis (who weaved the stories together so beautifully) and the courageous little girl and women who trusted me to share their stories.

I am thankful for Through Women’s Eyes (TWE) International Film Festival committee, judges and volunteers, for the powerful selection of film, assuring the festival went smoothly, and the audience votes which determined the awards.

TWE2020-award

The response from the audience was undeniably positive and the topic of alopecia is evidently moving from taboo to an openly relatable conversation. The number of viewers that spoke with me about their personal story, a “sister”, “friend” or “mom” was a pleasant surprise.

Overall, seeing a weekend full of films directed by women, was an empowering experience. We laughed, we cried, we were outraged. In the end, we all discovered something new though the lens of these filmmakers. If I could share the dynamic impact of these films with you I would. It was so powerful on multiple levels.

Here’s a few of my personal favorites…
Medicating Normal – by Directors Lynn Cunningham and Wendy Ractliffe
#Female Pleasure – by Director Barbara Miller
SEMA – by Director Macherie Ekwa
LUZ– by Director Jon Banana

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Unfortunately, I missed a handful of films but you can take a look at TWE 2020 Film Lineup.

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I am also very grateful for my homestay host, Lurline, a local resident of Sarasota that opened her home to me as a guest. TWE couldn’t have paired me with a better host. I love how the Universe aligns so that I cross paths with genuine people. Our similarities are amazing.


I think back to me as a little girl…

staying up late at night (while my family was asleep) to watch documentary films on television. I gained an enormous amount of knowledge, often unheard of by my peers, and always spoke about something interesting that I learned (my thoughts on the direction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Mission Mars, and the New World Order didn’t sit so well with my classmates, and I quickly learned that it’s best to keep some topics to myself – LOL). Regardless it’s rewarding to see that I’ve created what I’ve always loved.

At this point, I’m awaiting the “yay” or “nay” response from ten other film festivals. Actually, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival recently responded, “nay”, so… I have nine more to go.

And my journey continues…

Image of Alyscia Cunningham with the sunset in the background.

Kickstarter Launch – To Be Or Not?

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“To be or not to be?” This has been my exact thoughts for the past 2 weeks. Crowdfunding is not the funnest thing to do but, at times it’s necessary.

This is the time and it’s necessary 🙂

You may not know this but I’ve been working on making my exhibitions and film screenings accessible for people with disabilities. It’s literally a whole new world and I wish more galleries and museums were on board with it.

Why Kickstarter?
I’ve decided to launch a Kickstarter to cover the cost of accessibility for my presentations of photography exhibitions, film festivals and screenings and author talks.

To make the exhibitions and screenings accessible for the blind and low vision audiences, I also plan to use the funds to hire an Audio Describer to create the audio description (AD) for my film. AD is a service for people who are blind or low vision where a recorded narrator explains the artwork or what’s happening on screen in gaps in the dialogue.

To make my film accessible for deaf or low hearing audiences, I plan on using closed captioning. This allows the words to appear and show (on the screen) what is being said in the film. I will also hire a sign language interpreter during my artist talks for film screenings and exhibitions.

The Final Cut
The final cut is when the project is handed over to the sound department for final sound effects, audio mixing and color correction. AD and closed captioning is also created during this phase.

The feedback I receive from film festivals has been consistent. My film has a powerful impact but it needs to be a final cut. I have the professionals in line to do the job, but funding is needed in order to complete this phase.

What’s the launch date?
It’s not set in stone as yet but I will share the pre-launch page for everyone to view on March 3, 2020If you’re interested in reviewing and providing feedback please contact meIf you have crowdfunding experience and interested in helping with my campaign I’ll give you one of the Kickstarter awardsContact me for more info and to discuss.

I’ve also been connecting with and submitting my proposal to several family foundations for funding as well as the Arts & Humanities Council. In other words, I’m putting my eggs in multiple baskets.

TWE-film-festival-laurel

Thanks to your support I’m headed to Sarasota!

I Am More Than My Hair was awarded an Official Selection and will screen at the 2020 Through Women’s Eyes International Film Festival, taking place place on March 6 – 8, in Sarasota, FL. If you’re in the area, consider attending the film festival.

I Am More Than My Hair screens on Sunday March 8th. Read more and purchase tickets

Donate $50+ & I’ll send you a copy of the book and a bookmark!

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Your support is appreciated! Here’s a few ways you can offer support: 

1Make a donation – Donate $50 or more and I’ll mail you a copy of I Am More Than My Hair book. As an added bonus, I’ll send you a bookmark!

  • Want a tax-deduction? Donate via my fiscal sponsor, Docs In Progress. Please note that it will take longer to ship as the funds aren’t immediately available. I’ll keep you posted on the ETA. Please confirm your donation by sending me an email.
  • Not interested in the tax-deduction? Contact me and I’ll send you an invoice via PayPal. Simply click the button below to send an email letting me know your preference.
  • Prefer not to make an online payment? Not a problem. Feel free to mail a check. Please include your reward preference (book, calendar, tote or mouse pad) on the check. Contact me for the mailing address

2. Purchase a copy on Amazon. If you prefer to purchase a copy of I Am More Than My Hair on Amazon, please purchase directly from me (AC Media). 10% of proceeds from book sales are donated to Children’s Alopecia Project (CAP). Please note, I am only able to donate to CAP if you make a purchase via AC Media. I won’t receive payment for books sold via the other companies.

3. Interested in hosting a private screening? Contact me for more info.

Thank you for your continued support!

“I Am More Than My Hair” Wins Award in Best Shorts Film Competition and A Show For Change Film Festival

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I am honored to inform you that I Am More Than My Hair has been recognized with an Award of Merit by the Best of Short Film Competition. The Best Shorts Competition demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who contribute to profound social change. Knowing that is confirmation that I’ve my film is making a difference in society.

Storytelling

I was also recently informed that my film won the Storytelling Award for November’s A Show For A Change Film Festival. a socially conscious entertainment company that changes the world through the power of story.

 

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Thank you!

I am so grateful for the outpouring of support along the years. The patience, resources, donations and cheer leading me through my challenges hasn’t gone by unnoticed.

I Am More Than My Hair has been a 4 year journey. The funds raised were a huge contributing factor from the start of my film to its current stage. I can’t thank my supporters enough. If this is you… THANK YOU!

Would you like to support my film? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation via my fiscal sponsor, Docs In Progress.

I Almost Threw In The Towel

As much as I love to give good news, I always want to be open and honest about my hurdles along the way.

I’m exhausted.

It’s as simple as that.

I excitedly reached out to my grantor to inform them that I finally use my grant funding as planned. Keep in mind, the remainder of my grant was supposed to have been released, but because I did not use my previous year’s grant as yet, it has been withheld. {It’s only fair but this is my first grant award and I’m learning that there’s a lot more logistics to the entire process than originally thought it to be.}

My excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I receive the response…

“Is your project complete?”

They can’t be referring to having to the 1,000 copies of I Am More Than My Hair, printed and available for sale? Or so I thought.

I assumed that using my grant money was sufficient for releasing the remaining award and moving on with my project. I thought wrong.

Damn it, another hurdle!

Not only has a set back been obtaining the stories necessary to accompany the photos of all the women in my book, but also obtaining the funding needed to complete it. That’s why the grant was so vital.

My initial response (in my own head)…

“I can’t do this. I’m done!”

It has been frustrating, to say the least, working as a one-woman show. As much as I don’t like to admit this, unfortunately, I’ve had to eliminate multiple women from my project because they either haven’t sent their stories to me on time or have been unresponsive.

If there’s one thing I understand, it is that we all have lives and sometimes making the time to complete “another task” isn’t as urging as our daily routines. Then add the challenges the Universe throws at us from time-to-time.

Today, I made my last attempt to collect the story of one individual, whom hasn’t respond to my emails in over a year. I finally figured I should Google her name to see if her contact info may have changed.

Instead of finding any updates, I found an obituary.

Katie had passed away and I didn’t even know it. I was so stuck in tunnel zone I never thought to reach out to her in another way before this day.

Katie was the first individual to respond to my call for participants {outside of the first groups of women from SWAG and NAAF‘s Facebook post}.  Despite her diagnosed with breast cancer, Katie happily volunteered and often sent positive words of encouragement, especially when I lost the patience with myself and my project. She was never critical and never questioned my timing.

Instead she said…

“It will happen when it’s supposed to. There’s no rush.”

So today, I had to pull myself out of my pity party, say prayers for Katie to rest in peace and the condolences of her family, and remind myself why I started in the first place.

To use my creativity as a pedestal to cultivate awareness, and dispel the myth of a “beauty standard”. I Am More Than My Hair aids in the awareness of alopecia.

And…

I am the vessel given the opportunity to bring it to life.

It has been undeniably challenging, which I am sure is no different from anything you give as a labor of love.

So I move forward knowing that I have to work 10 times harder, but believing that it can and will be done. And although not having the grant on-hand has caused a delay, I can’t give up.

Actually, I take back, because I can.

I won’t.

I thank you for your patience and belief in the work I create, that in some way contributes to social-good, through art.

Enjoy the Holiday!

I Am More Than My Hair -  Katie

Katie… May you continue to Rest In Peace. To her family… I send my condolences and lots of love and light your way.

Peace & Blessings,
Alyscia