Tag Archives: Independent film

SEE MY HORROR SHORT ONLINE

In 2021, I mustered up the courage to write, direct, and produce my first narrative film, ANNEXATION. Thanks to Women of Color Filmmakers (WOCF) for providing the film lab, I went on to do the same thing the next year with DOUEN, my second horror short. Due to the pandemic and funding, both films had a short festival run, but I have now made them available to the public to view. Check out both films below.

They warned our children that human civilization would cease and they would be forced to take Earth back. ANNEXATION film follows a mother trying to survive with her daughter after an alien invasion. Human existence may be scarce, but we are not alone.

See the audio-described version here.

Based on a Trinidad and Tobago folklore, DOUEN is a horror film short that follows a woman who comes face-to-face with the collision of her dreams and reality as she and her sister are haunted by ghostly creatures. The lesson: Don’t respond if they call your name.

See the audio-described version here.

I would love your get your feedback. Please share a comment below or send me a message.

NEW PROJECT – “ANNEXATION”

I am doing it!

I wrote and directed my first horror film. Talk about an exciting and nerve wrecking process.

Although the pandemic has been challenging, it has brought many blessings. Had we not been restricted from in-person meetings and events, I probably would not have known about Women of Color Filmmakers (WOCF), the Summer Film Lab or the other WOC creative groups I have joined since then.

Landi Maduro, WOCF Director, created the Summer Film Lab as a platform for women of color filmmakers to have a means of expanding our creativity. All genres are accepted and must have a maximum runtime of 15 minutes.

My film, ANNEXATION (Horror/Sci-Fi) follows the survival of a lone woman and her baby daughter as civilization has come to a halt. Or so she thinks. “You Are Not Alone”.

This was my first-time directing actors. We are an all-female crew. July 31, 2021, is the screening date of all films. I will keep you posted as we get closer to the date. In the meantime, please consider supporting this new project by making a small contribution


See A Replay of The Virtual Events

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, my events for I AM MORE THAN MY HAIR exhibition had to remain virtual. Thankfully, the events were recorded. If you were not able to attend, you can now see my exhibition Reception and Panel Discussion: Making Art Accessible on YouTube.

I also held a virtual film screening of I AM MORE THAN MY HAIR on Eventive. It sold out quickly. Unfortunately, I am not able to share the film publicly yet (as I am working on securing distribution). However, you can see the Q&A, which is also on YouTube. Several women from the film joined the Q&A hosted by fellow filmmaker Day Al-Mohamed.

“I Am More Than My Hair” Hits The Film Festival Circuit

I know you have many causes to choose from for #GivingTuesday. However, please consider supporting I Am More Than My Hair into the next phase of the film festival circuit. If you make a tax-deductible donation, I’ll mail you a copy of the book.

I-am-more-than-my-hair-bus-shelter-billboard_givingtuesday

For today and tomorrow, #GivingTuesday, I’ll mail an autographed copy of I Am More Than My Hair book for anyone who donates $50 and up. That’s until December 3rd only by 11:59PM PST.

It’s a hefty price of $25 – $100 per submission as well as travel/lodging expenses, if my film is selected to be screened. That’s an average of $1K per festival (give or take a few hundred $).

With that in mind… your support for this new phase of my film is needed and appreciated!

giving-tuesday-i-am-more-than-my-hair

How can I help you ask???

Here’s a few ways:

1Make a tax-deductible donation via my fiscal sponsor, Docs In Progress. If you donate $50 or more I’ll mail a copy of my book to the address you provided when making your tax-deductible donation. If you’d like me to write a special message for someone, once you make the donation contact me and I’ll let me know who the book should be autographed to and the message you’d like to share.

DOUBLE BONUS: Donate $500 or more and I’ll host a private screening at your home (note: you must reside in the DC metro area or cover the cost of travel expenses).

2Become a Sponsor  if you or someone you know is  interested Contact me.

3. Share my project with friends and family. I’ll make it easy for you. Simply copy and paste the info in #1.

 

How can I purchase a copy of the film?

Waleola_giving-tuesday.jpg

 

I can’t duplicate and sell copies of the film if I want to submit it to film festivals. Unfortunately, this is one of the stipulations if I want I Am More Than My Hair, or any future films, to be considered for the film festival circuit. Regardless, this is a new journey for my documentary and I am excited!

With all my excitement comes the reality of the expense to participate in film festivals.Your support is needed and appreciated. Thank you in advance for supporting I Am More Than My Hair on #GivingTuesday!

 

 

*Docs In Progress is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which gives individuals tools to tell stories through documentary film to educate, inspire, and transform the way people view their world.

Your donation towards I Am More Than My Hair also supports Docs In Progress in their mission to support documentary filmmakers. If you’re in a giving mood, please consider also making a tax-deductible directly to the organization.

We Did it! My First Premiere Screening

I’m finally having my first official Premiere Screening of I Am More Than My Hair. I couldn’t be more excited and nervous at the same time. Between now and then, I’ll have a load of work on my plate.

It takes place on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 5-7PM at AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD. Tickets are $10 in advance on Eventbrite. If you prefer to pay with cash, limited paper tickets are available. Contact me to purchase tickets.

Join me for an inside look behind the story of my 2-part project, I Am More Than My Hair, documentary film short and photography book. Meet the women who participated, hear about the medical aspect of alopecia, from Dermatologist Dr. St. Surin-Lord, and join in on the discussion of redefining beauty standards. Q&A and Book Signing to follow (the film isn’t available as yet for purchase).

Here’s the program:
5:00 pm: Mix and mingle with light refreshments
5:30 – 7:00 pm: Screening and facilitated Q&A session with the filmmaker and panel

Would you like to help with the event? Feel free to contact me.


20190813_193022

My work-in-progress screening at Docs In Progress on August 13, 2019 was a success! Not only did I receive great feedback about my rough-cut, but the topic of alopecia, beauty and the media led to powerful conversations.

In turn, it helped with the finalizing the fine-cut of my 30 minute documentary film short I Am More Than My Hair. I would love for you to join me on October 20th for the Premiere Screening of my documentary at AFI Silver Theatre.


alyscia-cunningham-support

If you’re unable to attend but would like to support my project, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via Docs In Progress. You can also purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. 10% of sale proceeds will be donated to Children’s Alopecia Project (CAP).