Showing posts with label independent film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label independent film. Show all posts

May 1, 2021

Bakosó -debuts on PBS!

 

Fam, I'm so excited to share my brothers Eli and Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi's film "Bakosó" will debut this short film on Monday on PBS and want you to watch it. This is a film about the blend of African and Cuban music to create a new style of music and dance called "Bakosó". The team behind this film have done films about hip hop and music internationally for over a decade in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Ghana. Tune in and share with friends.

You can read an article about the film here: https://theoutline.com/

And here is the trailer:




Apr 30, 2021

Inspiring Artist - Mira Nair

 

Yo, if you're new: This is where I share artists that have been inspiring to me in my work sometimes directly and other times. Case in point. Mira Nair, an amazing filmmaker from India who spends her time back and forth between India, Uganda, and the US. I'm not sure which film I saw first but I have loved so many of her films. Her style, her eye, but also her activism, and her convictions. 




She once said 

"If we don't tell our stories, no one will" -Mira Nair

In reference to the talk of diversity which is really a talk of a century of exclusion from funding, resources, and access to filmmaking (but applies to other forms of storytelling) and she backs it up. Don't believe me? Go check out The Namesake, Salaam Bombay, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Queen of Katwe, and so many others. If I were a big studio executive, I'd give her the maximum budget and all the resources she needs to run with it.








She's worked with so many great actors such as Tabu, Denzel Washington, Kal Penn, Irrfan Khan, Tanya Maniktala, Lupita Nyongo, Liev Schrieber, Kiefer Sutherland, Riz Ahmed, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Sarita Choudhury, Richard Gere, soo many.



If you haven't seen any of her films, check them out! I should add that one of the amazing things about her is her independent hustle to get projects made! Also, check out her company Maisha Film Labs in Kampala Uganda. Did you catch the last artist I mentioned?

The last inspiring artist was James Van Der Zee

Nov 7, 2019

Bay Area International Children's Film Festival

Check it out folks, I created an illustration for the Bay Area International Children's Film Fest! Its happening in February of next year at the Chabot Space Center in Oakland! Bring your kids and come check it out.  February 22-23rd 2020!

Please visit their website to see information about the films and playing and the workshops that will be offered. LINK

We are delighted to announce the upcoming 12th Annual Bay Area International Children's Film Festival , which takes place  February 22-23, 2020  (Sat-Sun) at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland.

Save the Date  for an amazing program of films and activities inspired by our theme, The Power of Kids , as BAICFF highlights the ways that young people use their voices to change the world. Through premieres of international family-friendly films, special events, and presentations from award-winning filmmakers, the festival celebrates children  who use social justice, activism, and civic engagement to call attention to issues that affect us all.

This year's highlights include:
  • Films and Guest Filmmakers from around the World.
     
  • Election Year Special! Get your civics lessons  with the retro "School House Rock!" BAICFF showcases some of these beloved animated educational short films, which originally ran on television from 1973 to 1985 and are still just as relevant today.
     
  • Our ever-popular Stop Motion Animation Workshops, for kids ages 6-14.
     
  • The Fest's "How did they do that?" series highlights Berkeley-based Kuku Studios, with a special behind-the-scenes program about their new Netflix show "Go! Go! Cory Carson." This new animated show for preschool audiences follows the adventures of kid car Cory Carson as he navigates the winding roads of his childhood in Bumperton Hills. The BAICFF program will even be hosted by Cory Carson himself!

Sep 13, 2019

Array Films theater + Film Fest

New theater and film fest poppin off in Filipino town LA lead by Array Films. Check out the article LINK

Jun 17, 2019

Transfinite: Neelu Bhuman



Hey folks, I made some illustrations for this film "Transfinite" by Neelu Bhuman. This is by far one of the hardest illustration projects I've ever worked or collaborated on. This is the fourth independent film I've worked on after Holding on to Jah, A Journey to Understanding, and America's Shadows. Film requires vision, patience, communication, and a huge amount of team work.

Transfinite is a sci-fi omnibus feature film composed of seven standalone short stories where supernatural trans and queer people from various cultures use their powers to protect, love, teach, fight, and thrive.

I did many many illustrations , characters, and scenes for Transfinite and the individual/collective pieces were animated by artist Pamela Chavez! If you're in the Bay and want to see this film go here and cop tickets.

If you're in other parts of the world, please visit this LINK and get ready for the premiere near you. Support Trans filmmakers of color!!!

May 8, 2019

MERATA- Array Film Release

Hey, this month you'll be able to watch a great documentary about pioneering filmmaker Merata Mita  (New Zealand) distributed by Array films and available on Netflix this month.

Watch the trailer. Check out this drawing I did her awhile ago.
...

Feb 28, 2019

Burial of Kojo - Array release

Array is kicking off 2019 with their 22nd release,
The Burial of Kojo,directed by Ghanian filmmaker,  Samuel "Blitz" Bazawule, also known as musician Blitz the Ambassador (@blitztheambassador)



Jul 13, 2017

Futbolistas 4 Life FILM

CHECK out this awesome film about soccer, local students, and a great futbol teacher here in the Bay. You can see the rough cut of this film and other's about women in sports by going to this event at The Parkway Theater in Oakland

Tuesday, July 25, 2017
7:00 pm
The New Parkway Theater
Oakland, CA

DESCRIPTION:
Futbolistas 4 Life is a half-hour documentary that follows the lives of two Oakland youth with immigrant roots as they navigate life challenges and take solace in a sport that lets them put their worries on the sidelines.
The film begins in 2012 and follows April and Ben – two students who are in the Futbolistas soccer club at Life Academy High School in Oakland’s Fruitvale district. As we get to know these teens, we see how playing with the Futbolistas gives them a sense of community and psychological relief. Each is seeking refuge in the sport for a different reason, and striving to excel against the odds. MORE INFO HERE.

Apr 27, 2010

Apr 15, 2009

America's Shadows-Film Collab with Tchaiko Omawale



Ok folks, this very talented sister named Tchaiko Omawale has spent the last 4 or 5 years working on a passionate project that is a calm but urgent wake up call to the young poc folkers out there. Were all at risk for this so its important to celebrate our diversity and look out for one another. Please peep the trailer and the artwork I did for the promotional postcard.
Una gracias gigante goes out to Ms. Tchaiko Omawale(who wasnt sure what she wanted me to draw, but knew exactly what message she wanted to convey) and Ms. Amatus Sami for hooking me up with the gig(lets build on the logo!).

-Robert Trujillo/Tres
Trust Your Struggle Collectivo
Come Bien Books

More film collaborations on the way.Seriously, with serious and beautiful folks who will hopefully enrich youre life as they have mine........

America's Shadows:
www.myspace.com/americasshadows
www.myspace.com/tchaiko
www.vimeo.com/tag:tchaiko
www.youtube.com/user/tchaiko

Video links:
American Shadows:
http://vimeo.com/videos/search:tchaiko

Be sure to check out Amatus Sami's video for "Cherish"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gasryNOxSEI