The Bronzelens film festival is back for the 14th. year in the city of Atlanta.

InDaHouse

Published on December 14, 2023

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The fourteenth annual Bronzelens Film Festival has come to an end after five days of activities

with the closing award ceremony at the Carter Center in the city of Atlanta. Some festival activities

had to be postponed due to the current writers’ strike, but the festival continues to expand its reach

and growth in prominence.

The festival was established to fill a noted gap in supporting and enabling creators and creatives of darker hues

to have a just space in the industry. The festival’s founder, Kathleen Bertrand, stated in her opening remarks

that she was given the task of organizing a festival in Atlanta to support cinema and individuals who are launching

careers in the arts and film industry, as Tyler Perry had emerged as a major force and was making significant

contributions to the city’s cinema industry. There was a need for a festival in the city to support and encourage the

growing talent pool that was rapidly emerging.

Kathleen said, “We knew we had to create a space and grow an audience to support this venture and the industry. We wanted
our community to know that there would always be a space for us in this industry, and it’s been beautiful to see it

blossom over the years to become an Emmy-nominating festival”. The festival’s artistic director, Deidre Mc. Donald, stated,

“The festival began with 23 films in its inaugural year. We received 124 applications this year from 59 countries.

The festival now has a very strong global appeal, which is a reflection of Kathleen’s original vision for its space

and role in the city, but also to communities beyond.

The Andrew Young Cinema and Social Justice Award was added as a new category to acknowledge and represent
the role that Atlanta has played in advocating for social change in the American journey. The category acknowledges
the body of work undertaken by justice warriors from within the community.

Screenings were held at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema and The South West Art Center.

The Award Show was held at the Carter Center.

The 2023 Award Festival Winners

Best of the Festival: Song of the Rifles

Best Feature Film: The Song of the Rifles

Best Student Film: Love Taps

Best Actress: MaYaa Boateng – Reuion

Best Actor: Sanou Titiama – The Song of the Rifles

Best Documentary: Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land

Best Short Documentary: Conducting Life

Best Short: As the Cookie Crumble

Best Web Series: Token

The Andrew Young Cinema and Social Justice Award

Move When the Spirit Say Move: The Legacy of Dorothy Foreman Cotton

Related Topics:Bronze Lens Film Festival, Featured

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