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The Download: Making Holiday Movie Magic

OnWednesday, December 13th at 7:00 PM ET, join us for the last edition of The Downloadfor 2023!

We’ve invited a few incredible guests – from actors to directors to costume designers – to take a seat at the virtual table to discuss the making of holiday movie magic!

Meet Our Moderator

Okema T. Moore – Actress, Producer, Director

“So Fly Christmas” BET+ – Actress (2023) Okema T. Moore is an Emmy Nominated, PGA producer and rising director. She has created content for Lifetime, Netflix, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, FOX, and Disney/Marvel. Some of that content includes Kenya Barris’ Klutch Academy, for BET, Beat Bobby Flay and The Kitchen on Food Network, Oprah’s Color of Care, Founding In Color Season 2 on Peacock and Nomad with Carlton McCoy on CNN. She has been a semi-finalist for The Blackhouse Producer’s Lab and Sundance’s Producer’s Track 2022 and in 2023 became a fellow for the Stowe Story Producer’s Lab and the Black Magic Collective Producer’s Lab. Most recently, she developed and produced a new docu series for STARZ, premiering in 2024, directed a host of fall campaigns for ULTA Beauty and as an actor can be seen on Season 2 of both Amazon Prime’s Harlem, and allblk’s Makeup x Breakup, as well as the upcoming BET holiday film, So Fly Christmas starring Tichina Arnold and Tammy Roman. Okema serves on the board of NY Women in Film & TV and the Black TV & Film Collective and is a member of the NY Television Academy NY, SAG-AFTRA and AEA. She is committed to continuing to lift while she climbs, building up womxn, queer, Indigenous, POC and Black creatives, as she simultaneously strives continued success in her own creative career.

Meet Our Panelists

Terri J. Vaughn – Actress, Director, Producer

“So Fly Christmas” – Director (2023) Terri J. Vaughn first stole America’s heart as the lovable Lovita Alizay Jenkins on The Steve Harvey Show. She continued to star in projects for Will Smith, Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, OWN, HBO and more. She touts three NAACP Image Awards and scores of accolades for her work as an actress. However, in 2015 Terri’s directorial debut, which she also produced, was the indie comedy #DigitaLivesMatter, now on Tubi and Amazon. Notable names under her direction include John Amos, Kim Fields, Janet Hubert and Victoria Rowell, in projects for TVOne, MarVista, Asylum, Viacom and Reuben Cannon Entertainment. Terri directed the first comedic episode of BET’s TALES in the show’s final season and a host of other TV shows including BET’s Kingdom Business She also ushered in the Mahogany division of Hallmark films in 2022, directing Girlfriend’s Getaway. Most recently she directed the holiday romantic comedy So Fly Christmas, now streaming on BET+.Her company Nina Holiday Entertainment was featured in Ebony Magazine as one of Atlanta’s top production companies and she continues to uplift and motivate women in front of and behind the camera. Terri is represented by Buchwald Agency and Kronicle Media.

Lenore Adediran – Writer, Producer, Actress

OWN’s “A Christmas Serenade” – Writer (2023) Lenore Adediran is an African—American writer that specializes in sports dramas, romantic comedies and holiday “feel-good” stories. She attended Sewanee: The University of the South and earned a B.A. in Spanish Literature and screenwriting at The New School and got her start creating the 3 time Daytime Emmy pre-nominated web series STEPFORD SIDECHIX. Her pilot, SPIKES, sold to Netflix with Marsai Martin’s production company, Genius, producing. Her features A CHRISTMAS SERENADE sold to Mar Vista Entertainment/Harpo Films, premiering Dec 2nd on OWN, and her romantic comedy 3RD TIME’S A CHARM to Crowne Media Group.

Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd – CSA Casting Director, Executive Producer, Director

Kirk Franklin’s “A Gospel Christmas” – EP and Casting Director (2022) Tracy Twinkie Byrd is a 30+year entertainment industry veteran. Known for casting films such as Stomp the Yard, Notorious, Fruitvale Station, Sparkle, The Clark Sisters, and BEATS on Netflix. Now Twinkie is making her PIVOT to Directing & Producing. She is the Executive Producer of Kirk Franklins “A Gospel Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas.” Twinkie is the Director of Award Winning Short Films The Counter:1960, NARC and IG Series NOT S.W.A.T. She is also the Exec Producer of USC feature Film Voodoo Macbeth. Voodoo Macbeth, the story of the 1936 Federal Theater Production and the All-Black Cast of Macbeth. The story centers around distinguished actress Rose McClendon mounting Shakespeare’s Macbeth while employing a young Orson Wells to Direct. Tracy Twinkie Byrds’ second act is one to watch.

Provi Fulp – Emmy Nominated Costume Designer

Dolly Parton “Magic Mountain Christmas” – Costume Designer (2023) Provi Fulp is a costume designer based in Atlanta who is also bi-coastal. Her passion is storytelling through costume design “It’s in the details of design that speak to the audience.” She specializes in contemporary as well as period design. She draws her inspiration from growing up as a “military brat” , born in Frankfurt Germany and attending German school, she had the opportunity to live in several different countries which exposed her to a melting pot of different cultures from around the world. She has 12 plus years of experience in TV and Film and 20 years total in the fashion industry. She is a proud member of the Diversity Committee of her Costume Designers Guild 892. You can find a variety of range in Provi’s costume design; from Dolly Parton’s Emmy Award winning “Christmas on The Square ” on Netflix to the CW’s DC Comics Black Lightning. You will find that she is published for her costume design work in vogue, la times, popsugar, refinery 29 and deadline.

Leland B. Martin – Actor, Producer

“Taken Before Christmas” BET+ – Actor (2023) Leland Martin was born and raised in New Jersey. He came from humble beginnings, and didn’t even realize a career in the arts was possible until the ripe age of 24. Since then Leland has starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials. His latest film Sworn Justice: Taken Before Christmas is currently airing on BET Plus where he stars alongside Emmy Winner Mishael Morgan and mega star Vivica A. Fox. Leland is a walking testimony that it’s never too late for God to do the impossible in your life.

Pierre Romain – Executive ProducerSo Fly Christmas BET+ – EP

Pierre Romain has produced Award-winning Documentaries and feature Films including: Mind The Gap (Alan King, Elizabeth Reaser, Kim Raver, and Eric Schaffer), Coleman Family Legacy (Jazz Legend George Coleman, Sr. and his family), Fractured (Eric Roberts and Jake Busey), All You Can Eat (Randy Quaid, Ashley Johnson, Kathy Najimy), The Pack (Lucie Arnaz, Carlos Leon, Elisabeth Moss) Bayou Caviar (Cuba Gooding Jr, Richard Dreyfuss, Fake Jansen), Son of The South(Spike Lee (ep), Barry Brown (dir.), Lucas Till, Lucy Hale, Cedric The Entertainer and Brian Dennehy), North of The 10 (George Lopez, Terrence Jenkins, Mykelti Williamson, Jaleel White, and LaRoyce Hawkins), Fresh kills-Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival (Jennifer Esposito (dir) Emily Bader, O’dessa A’Zion,Domenick Ombardozzi). His latest film “So Fly Christmas” can be seen on BET Plus starring Tichina Arnold, Tami Roman, Laurissa Romain, Robert Christopher Riley, Jackee Harry, Tommy Davidson and Michael Colyar. So Fly Christmas was directed by the legendary Terri Vaughn. “One Night Stay”, a thriller starring Stephen Bishop, LeToya Luckett, Iyana Halley, Laurissa Romain, Robert Christopher Riley, Mc Lyte and Essence Atkins will premiere in January.

If you have dreams of making movie magic, you do not want to miss this event!

Join us at this year’s edition of The Download Holiday Panel and get the information and inspiration you need to #MakeYourWork! RSVP today!

Interested in becoming a member? Join BTFC HERE and become a MAKER today! Get access to exclusive programming like the Download and more!

This event will be recorded, but access is for paid members only.

What is THE DOWNLOAD EVENT SERIES.

Offered multiple times a year, The Download is a virtual guest conversation series hosted by the Black TV & Film Collective. It features impactful writers, producers and other creators who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives do their work. Recent guests on The Download have included Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlene Polite Corley, Latasha Mercer, the editing team of A Black Lady Sketch Show Janine Sherman Barrois, Pete Chatmon and more.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

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Office Hours: Learn from Fundraising Consultant Justin Brehznev – Secure the Bag & Get Money to Fund Your Project!

WRITERS & PRODUCERS, this one’s for YOU! Need money to #MakeYourWork? This is a must event!

Enjoy an intimate chat with Justin Brehznev, Founder and CEO of Dogtown Fundraising as part of our Get Money Series. Max 5 people per session (first come, first serve). Next one up is on Tuesday November 14th from 12-1pm PST. There is more money than ever flowing to the arts and creative communities, so join this virtual with Justin to learn all the tips, funding sources and ways to make your project standout so you can secure the bag and get the vital funding you need to move your project forward!

During BTFC Office Hours he’ll cover the following topics:

  • getting prepared to win a grant
  • how/where to find grants for your work
  • how to write a grant
  • how to report on a grant you’ve won
  • how to write about your art like a social scientist

It’s an open door for any BTFC Maker member who would like to come in and ask a question, in a safe space and supportive community focused purely on helping you get to the next level with your dreams and professional goals. 

This is valuable time well spent and it’s a true gift that Justin is sharing his time and information with us. 

Meet Justin and Dogtown Fundraising

Dogtown Fundraising is a professional fundraising firm that specializes in grant research and development. The firm’s founder, Justin Brezhnev, has raised millions of dollars for social impact programs and earned a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work in education. Dogtown Is a members of the Association of Fundraising Professional and the Grant Professionals Association.

 

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Learn from Fundraising Consultant Justin Brehznev – Secure the Bag & Get Money to Fund Your Project!

WRITERS & PRODUCERS, this one’s for YOU! Need money to #MakeYourWork? This is a must event!

Enjoy an intimate chat with Justin Brehznev, Founder and CEO of Dogtown Fundraising as part of our Get Money Series. Max 5 people per session (first come, first serve). Next one up is on Tuesday November 7th from 12-1pm PST. There is more money than ever flowing to the arts and creative communities, so join this virtual with Justin to learn all the tips, funding sources and ways to make your project standout so you can secure the bag and get the vital funding you need to move your project forward!

During BTFC Office Hours he’ll cover the following topics:

  • getting prepared to win a grant
  • how/where to find grants for your work
  • how to write a grant
  • how to report on a grant you’ve won
  • how to write about your art like a social scientist

It’s an open door for any BTFC Maker member who would like to come in and ask a question, in a safe space and supportive community focused purely on helping you get to the next level with your dreams and professional goals. 

This is valuable time well spent and it’s a true gift that Justin is sharing his time and information with us. 

Meet Justin and Dogtown Fundraising

Dogtown Fundraising is a professional fundraising firm that specializes in grant research and development. The firm’s founder, Justin Brezhnev, has raised millions of dollars for social impact programs and earned a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work in education. Dogtown Is a members of the Association of Fundraising Professional and the Grant Professionals Association.

 

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Learn from Fundraising Consultant Justin Brehznev – Secure the Bag & Get Money to Fund Your Project!

WRITERS & PRODUCERS, this one’s for YOU! Need money to #MakeYourWork? This is a must event!

Enjoy an intimate chat with Justin Brehznev, Founder and CEO of Dogtown Fundraising as part of our Get Money Series. Max 5 people per session (first come, first serve). Next one up is on Tuesday October 31st from 12-1pm PST. There is more money than ever flowing to the arts and creative communities, so join this virtual with Justin to learn all the tips, funding sources and ways to make your project standout so you can secure the bag and get the vital funding you need to move your project forward!

During BTFC Office Hours he’ll cover the following topics:

  • getting prepared to win a grant
  • how/where to find grants for your work
  • how to write a grant
  • how to report on a grant you’ve won
  • how to write about your art like a social scientist

It’s an open door for any BTFC Maker member who would like to come in and ask a question, in a safe space and supportive community focused purely on helping you get to the next level with your dreams and professional goals. 

This is valuable time well spent and it’s a true gift that Justin is sharing his time and information with us. 

Meet Justin and Dogtown Fundraising

Dogtown Fundraising is a professional fundraising firm that specializes in grant research and development. The firm’s founder, Justin Brezhnev, has raised millions of dollars for social impact programs and earned a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work in education. Dogtown Is a members of the Association of Fundraising Professional and the Grant Professionals Association.

 

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

BACK TO NEWS & EVENTS

Office Hours: Learn from Fundraising Consultant Justin Brehznev – Secure the Bag & Get Money to Fund Your Project!

WRITERS & PRODUCERS, this one’s for YOU! Need money to #MakeYourWork? This is a must event!

On Tuesdays for the next 5 weeks, enjoy an intimate chat with Justin Brehznev, Founder and CEO of Dogtown Fundraising. Max 5 people per session (first come, first serve). The first one kicks of Tuesday October 24th from 12-1pm PST. There is more money than ever flowing to the arts and creative communities, so join this virtual with Justin to learn all the tips, funding sources and ways to make your project standout so you can secure the bag and get the vital funding you need to move your project forward!

During BTFC Office Hours he’ll cover the following topics:

  • getting prepared to win a grant
  • how/where to find grants for your work
  • how to write a grant
  • how to report on a grant you’ve won
  • how to write about your art like a social scientist

It’s an open door for any BTFC Maker member who would like to come in and ask a question, in a safe space and supportive community focused purely on helping you get to the next level with your dreams and professional goals. 

This is valuable time well spent and it’s a true gift that Justin is sharing his time and information with us. 

Meet Justin and Dogtown Fundraising

Dogtown Fundraising is a professional fundraising firm that specializes in grant research and development. The firm’s founder, Justin Brezhnev, has raised millions of dollars for social impact programs and earned a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work in education. Dogtown Is a members of the Association of Fundraising Professional and the Grant Professionals Association.

 

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

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Office Hours: Get Help On Your Project

WRITERS, this one’s for YOU! Need some extra support to help you #MakeYourWork? Let ‘s go!

On Tuesday, July 18th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET, chat with BTFC Member, Netflix ‘Created By’ Fellow and writer and director Elisee Junior St Preux during BTFC Office Hours! He’ll do his best to support you and help you move your project forward!

 

During BTFC Office Hours we’ll answer general production questions and provide an environment where you can get advice and feedback on your projects from industry professionals.

How can we better describe them? It’s an open door for any member who would like to just come in and ask a question. Get a second pair of eyes on a rough cut, get some help on budgets, have your script reviewed…

Remember back in the day when our professors had office hours and you would just go in to ask a question or get some help? That is what these office hours are like.

Join us to talk about your project and ideas, so that you’re better equipped to move them forward. It’s all-time well spent.

Meet Elisee

Elisee Junior St Preux is a Haitian Filmmaker born in North Miami Beach, FL. A self-taught artist and cinephile, Elisee is the owner of the film blog “The Movie Butter Playbook”, and the screenwriting label, “À La MODE Films”. Elisee is a recipient of Indeed’s Rising Voices partnered with Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions, a 53rd NAACP Image Awards nominee, an HBO Short Film Award Finalist at the American Black Film Festival, and a Netflix Created By Fellow. With a distinct style of vintage storytelling combined with modern cinema, Elisee’s solemn goal is to bear witness and share stories that reflect today, honor the past, and reimagine the future.

NOTE: 40-minute slots will be assigned on a first RSVP basis. A Zoom link and information form will be sent to you 48 hours before your session. Please block out 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET on your calendar until your slot is received.

This event is for BTFC Members Only.

Members, please use your access code to RSVP.

Need help? Contact [email protected]!

Want access to this event? Sign up for our BTFC Membership!

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Become a BTFC member today!

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