The Journey Home Film Festival is looking for quality Liberian Films to showcase at the 2nd Annual Journey Home Film Festival from 16 – 17 June 2023.
Held under the theme, Unifying Liberia through Film and Culture, the Journey Home Film Festival seeks to showcase Liberian narratives and the country’s film industry to national and international audiences.
“The journey home festival is all about celebrating the power of storytelling and everything orbiting the art of filmmaking,” said Robell Hovers, creative writer and Liberian Film Awards and Festival organizer.
Liberian film makers, directors, and producers interested in participating in this year’s film festival should submit their films to the Journey Home Film Festival at www.journeyhomefilmfest.com or journeyhomefestival@gmail.com by 30 April 2023.
Film organizer, Den Tut Rayay, said that the requirements for film submission ensure the promotion of Liberian film producers, actors and actresses.
“The films entered must feature Liberian actors and actresses. Seventy-five percent of the film must be shot in Liberia between the years 2022 and 2023. The Films submitted will not only compete for honors at the Liberian Film Awards on Saturday, 17 June 2023, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, but three films will be selected to premier at Festival’s Drive in on Saturday, 10 June 2023 at SKD, The cost to submit a film is $3,000 Liberian Dollars,” he said.
Mr. Rayay added that all entrants have a chance to win a professional camera and $500 US dollars for first place, $250 US dollars for second place and $150 US for third place.
Movie goers will have the opportunity to watch these movies from their vehicles during the Drive-IN along with comedy and music.
Movie producer and festival organizer Dr. Clarice Ford-Kula, said the films showcased at the Drive-In represent the best in storytelling. To see these films on the big screen creates an emotional connection to Liberian society.
“These stories enable us to gain a deeper understanding of other’s experiences, values and key information that can inform our lives positively,” she said.
The Journey Home Film Festival begins with a free film maker’s workshop on Friday, 16 June 2023, from 8am-5pm at the Ministerial Complex. This free one-day event is for aspiring actors, directors, screenwriters, film producers, cinematographers, and others interested in or currently working in the industry.
Participants will gain insight on cinematography, directing, writing, and producing from some of the industry’s most respected film experts like Dr. Clarice Ford Kulah, Writer and Producer of the film, Providence, Film Director Alexander Wiaplah, CEO of USH Productions, and other international filmmakers in collaboration with Razzouk Brothers Inc.
Audiences in Liberia will have the chance to view a diverse range of feature-length and short films, documentaries, animations, and experimental works, created by talented Liberian filmmakers at the Journey Home Film Festival on Saturday, 17 June 2023 from 9am to 4pm at the Ministerial Complex. The program also features discussions, masterclasses and films selected to compete at the Liberian Film Awards presented by the Journey Home Film Festival.
“Liberian films awards will glamorously celebrate the best of the best in filmmaking in Liberia through a ceremony that recognizes excellence in a variety of categories as our commitment to support Liberian cinema,” said Ms. Hovers.
Dressed in Red, White and Blue, film enthusiasts will attend the Liberian Film Awards from 6pm – 10 pm also at the Ministerial Complex. The Awards begin with the Black Carpet at 6pm, with the awards starting at 7pm.
The LFAs will celebrate the Best Picture, the Best Director, the Best Actor, the Best Actress, the Best Supporting Actor, the Best Supporting Actress, the Best Original Screenplay, the Best Adapted Screenplay, the Best Cinematography, the Best Editing, The Best Sound, the Best Original Score, the Best Visual Effects, the Best Production Design, The best Content Creator of the Year Male, the Content Creator of the Year Female, the Best Film in the Diaspora, Best Director in the Diaspora, and Best Actor and Actress in the Diaspora.
Interested parties can find more information on the film festival program or purchase tickets by visiting www.journeyhomefilmfest.com.
The Journey Home Film Festival is presented by the Journey Home Festival, the Year of the Diaspora and the Liberia Movie Union in partnership with Razzouk Brothers Inc, Ush Productions and Genesys Communications Consulting.
The Journey Home Film Festival is an African American organization based in Liberia, dedicated to promoting Liberia and its rich cultural heritage.
The Mission of the Journey Home Festival is to encourage investment, promote tourism and showcase Liberia as the Jewel of Africa.
