‘black./womyn.’ directed by tiona.m. (ACG ’07) has been released as an Individual Edition 90 min. DVD. The DVD is priced at the rate of $25 and is for Individual use only (home viewing only, etc) and includes Free Domestic Shipping for a special pre-order sale (Nov. 27, 2009-December 4, 2009).‘black./womyn.’ Individual Edition 90min DVD $25 (incl. Free Shipping) Pre-Order sale only from 11/27-12/04. ALL ORDERS SHIP 12/10. Film will not be available for purchase again until Feb. 2010 when the DVD will ship to retailers and also be permanently available for purchase online. (Only a Limited amount currently available)
NOTE FROM TIONA.M.:
If you do not purchase a DVD between 11/27/09-12/04/09 you will not be able to purchase the DVD again until February 2010 when I ship the film in bulk to retailers in various areas and make the online sale of the DVD permanent. Doing this pre-order sale allows me to keep my promise to you all to make the film available before the end of the year and it also gives me adequate time to prepare the shipping packages for the purchased DVDs in order to be ready for the Dec. 10, 2009 shipping date. This shipping date guarantees a before the holidays deadline for folks who are interested in buying the film as a gift.
I will also be releasing the special edition 120min. version along with a few extra goodies (including 3 extra parts never before seen-Youth.&.Elders, Patriarchy.&.the.Black.Man, and Racism, English Subtitles, and a full transcription of the film, among others) for organizations and institutions priced at an institutional rate in January 2010. So please let your colleges, Universities, Non-Profits, Libraries know about the upcoming Institutional Rate DVD release.
All of the folks who purchase the Individual Edition DVD will also have the chance to send in a written review of the film to be included on the Special Edition 120min of the film. I’m looking for 3 general public reviews for the film. If your review is chosen you will receive a complimentary copy of the Special Edition copy of ‘black./womyn.’ which will feature an excerpt of your written review. All written reviews are to be sent to blackwomynfilmbooking@gmail.com for consideration.
KEY DETAILS:
- The DVD will be set at NTSC Region 1, which is the standard for DVDs in the U.S.A.. This pre-order sale is intended for domestic sales only at the moment. Please know that if you purchase the DVD for someone out of the country that there is a chance that the DVD will not play depending on their DVD player.
- ALL orders will ship on December 10, 2009. You will receive a notification once the package is placed in postage. This will allow me to meet a ‘before holidays’ date for folks interested in purchasing the film as a gift.
- If you are a Participant in the film. You DO NOT have to purchase a copy of the DVD for yourself. I will send you a complimentary copy of the DVD on the shipping date of Dec.10th. If you want to buy extra copies of the film, feel free to do so and know that your support will be appreciated.
- Email blackwomynfilmbooking@gmail.com with your updated contact info please! Otherwise I will send your DVD to the snail mail addy that I currently have on file.
- If you are an Independent LGBTQ Filmmaker of Color with a completed film that is available for purchase I am looking to review your trailers for inclusion on the Institutional Rate version of ‘black./womyn.’ that will be available for purchase in Jan. 2010. I’m looking for at least 3 trailers of projects that have not received adequate promotion only. Send an email with links to your work to blackwomynfilmbooking.com for more info. I want to support and promote our work so folks know that we exist.
- If you have a bookstore or retailer that you think I should contact that ay be interested in carrying the film please send info and I will follow up with them asap. Email blackwomynfilmbooking@gmail.com
- The version for sale during this time is an Individual Rate DVD for HOME AND PERSONAL USE ONLY. Please do not buy this film and hold massive ticketed screenings in a venue.
- PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS. Feel free to send them the link to purchase. I have a cutoff amount initial DVDs available so get them why you can!
PLEASE DO NOT put the film on Youtube or any other online streaming thingy–I’m prepping the film for online purchase via ITunes, Netflix, etc…lol. I really put a TON of work into this DVD packaging as well as the film. I’m a one-woman show at the moment and made a HUGE decision to self-distribute this film instead of allow it to exist in only Academic spaces via the offers I was presented with from Distribution Companies for exclusive licensing. While I definitely want the film to get out as far as it can, please respect the work I put into ‘black./womyn.’ and know that your support if this DVD will assist me in all of my future film projects.
Thanks you all so very much for your support of the film and my work over the past years!
–tiona.
Synopsis:
“black./womyn.:conversations…” is a feature-length documentary focusing on the lives and views of lesbians of African descent. The documentary is structured by interviews—“conversations”—the director had with each of the women. It features candid interviews with black lesbian women discussing coming out, sexuality & religion, love &relationships, marriage, patriarchy, visibility in media, discrimination & homophobia, activism, gender identity, Black lesbian youth & elders, balancing gender/race/sexuality, and, finally, what it means to call oneself a Black lesbian today.
“black./womyn.:conversations…” is a piece that provokes honest, progressive dialogue and critical thinking among people in general—and Black lesbians in particular—about how Black lesbians are viewed and affected by society. “black./womyn.:conversations…” features interviews with close to 50 out, Black lesbians including Poet/Author Cheryl Clarke, Filmmaker/Activist Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Poet/Author Staceyann Chin, Filmmaker Michelle Parkerson, Hip-Hop Duo KIN, and Author Fiona Zedde.
This film encourages progressive dialogue about images of Black lesbians and the stereotypes resulting from their portrayal in media and society at large. The director hopes to create conversation among Black lesbians of differing ages, backgrounds about the lack of communication among these groups and how this affects the overall unity of Black lesbians as a group.
“black./womyn.:conversations…” also facilitates social change by presenting a well-rounded view of Black lesbian women. The women in the film vary in age, gender identities/expressions, and professions. Thus, the project impacts black lesbian women nationally and internationally, especially in remote areas where visibility is minimal. The film also impacts non-LGBTQ communities by deconstructing monolithic understandings of Black lesbians in the media and society as a whole. The film portrays black lesbians at all levels and stages discussing their lives as they relate to relevant topics.
SCREENINGS AT UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
Williams College, Bennett College, The New School, University of the District Of Columbia, University of Colorado-Boulder, University of California- Santa Barbara, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Hampshire College, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Delaware, Fordham University, University of Chicago
FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS
2009 Pan African Film Festival- Los Angeles, CA, 2008 New Orleans International Human Rights Festival, 2008 9th Black Is… CultureFeast, 2008 Boston’s 24th Annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2008 San Francisco Black Film Festival, 2008 Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival -Audience Award for Best Documentary Film (Feature), 2008 Philadelphia Black Woman’s Arts Festival, 2008 Fresno Reel Pride LGBT Film Festival, 2008 Clip! Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2008 bfm International Film Festival, 2009 Pan African Film Festival-L.A., 2009 London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2009 Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, 2009 NewFest: NY LGBT Film Festival, 2009 Best of NewFest at BAM Rose Cinemas, 2009 International Black Documentary Festival
For more info & clips of the film check out these sites:
Vimeo 3 minute Trailer
Myspace Page
Official Film Blog
Youtube Channel
