Welcome to the 2018 MPAC Film Fest!
A premiere platform showcasing select short media content from emerging and established independent storytellers with unique voices and innovative visions.
Taking place October 11-13, 2018, the Bi-Annual MPAC Film Festival presents compelling new independent films in collaboration with University of Houston-Downtown, Center for Critical Race Studies.
Welcome to the 2018 MPAC Film Fest!
A premiere platform showcasing select short media content from emerging and established independent storytellers with unique voices and innovative visions.
Taking place October 11-13, 2018, the Bi-Annual MPAC Film Festival presents compelling new independent films in collaboration with University of Houston-Downtown, Center for Critical Race Studies.
Schedule of Events
University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) - 201 Girard Street - Houston, Texas 77002
Thursday - October 11th
12:00pm
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Dr. Vida Robertson - University of Houston-Downtown
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Associate Professor
Vida Robertson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of English and serves as the Director of the Center for Critical Race Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown. He teaches a wide range of Critical Race Theory and African American literature courses. His primary research and teaching interests are in late nineteenth and twentieth century African American literature, the Africana Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Disability Studies. Dr. Robertson is deeply committed to community engagement and service opportunities related to equality, education and empowerment. Click Here for more information on Dr. Vida Robertson
Dwight Boykins - Houston City Councilman, District D
Council Member Boykins is a strong and active advocate for District D constituents and works to address issues surrounding food deserts, blight, affordable housing, financial institutions and community development. One of his top priorities has been to make District D one of the most economically driven districts in Houston. Click Here for more information on Dwight Boykins.
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Private VIP Meet & Greet
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Marsha Ambrosius
GRAMMY® Award-nominated Soul Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist
Marsha Ambrosius is an English singer-songwriter from Liverpool, England. She embarked on her musical career as a member of Floetry. Ambrosius has been featured on many songs including Styles P's "I'm Black"; The Game's "Start from Scratch" and "Why You Hate The Game." (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes' "Get You Some" and "Cocaina"; Nas' "Hustlers" (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek's "Music for Life" and Jamie Foxx's "Freak'in Me". The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their album, Illumination, on the track "Elevated". She collaborated once again with Slum Village called "Cloud 9". Click Here for more information on Marsha Ambrosius.
Jillian JJ Simmons
I'm Me Foundation, Founder
Respect My Crown, Author
Jillian "JJ" Simmons is a veteran radio/tv host and author from Cincinnati, Ohio. She has captivated listeners from major cities across the country, including her hometown Cincinnati (WIZF-FM), Dayton (WROU-FM), New York City (WBLS-FM, where she worked alongside "The Queen of All Media" Wendy Williams), Indianapolis (WHHH-FM), and Houston (KBXX-FM). She is now heard all across the country on the nationally syndicated Al Rucker Show.
6:00pm
Greg Carter - Producer, Director, Writer
Greg is a native of Houston, Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University. After studying under Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Gordone, Greg Studied film at Rice's prestigious School of Visual and Dramatic Arts under Professor Brian Huberman with producer Elizabeth Avellan. Click Here for more information on Greg Carter
Rhyan LaMarr - Executive Producer, Writer & Director
Rhyan LaMarr has produced and marketed multiple long form music videos, Feature films, short films, reality television and programming that contributed to over $40 million of revenue for such companies as Sony, Universal Music Group, RCA Records, Concord Music Group and Bunim and Murray Productions. Throughout his career, he has worked with the likes of Bernie Mac, George Clooney, Ashton Kutcher, Wayne Brady, Malcom-Jamal Warner, Eddie Murphy, Tom Hanks, Bill Cosby, Ryan Seacrest, Charles Stone, Cederic "The Entertainer", to name a few. Click Here for more information on Rhyan LaMarr
Alfred Cervantes - Houston Film Commission
Deputy Director
Deputy Director of the Houston Film Commission and a native Houstonian, has worked in the film industry in various capacities since 1992. Click Here for more information on the Houston Film Commission.
Friday - October 12th
12:00pm
12:00pm - 9:00pm
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Dominique Telson - Astute Films
VP Development & Production.
Dominique Telson is an accomplished independent producer and Emmy Award winning senior level network development executive. Ms.Telson has produced over 25 films for television, acclaimed series and most recently films for theatrical release. Under her guidance these films have garnered many awards including the Peabody Award, Emmy Awards and both Writers & Directors Guild nominations and wins. In 2012 the feature film "A Beautiful Soul" was produced by Telson as an independent film but was quickly acquired by AMCi theaters as a theatrical release. Click Here for more information on Dominique Telson.
Ricky Anderson, Esq. - Entertainment Attorney
Film, TV, Music, Radio, Literary
Attorney Ricky Anderson has been the Managing Partner of the Law Firm of Anderson & Smith P.C. since 1992. He also became an Adjunct Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1998, where he lectures on Entertainment Law, Music Industry Contracts and Trial Preparation. In 2014, he was inducted into the BESLA Entertainment Attorneys' Hall of Fame. Click Here for more information on Ricky Anderson.
Brian Thornton - Actor, Acting Coach
Over the span of his career, Brian has played Lead, Supporting, Guest Star, and Co-Star roles in Queen of the South, Lone Star Deception(in Post-Production), Longmire, Preacher, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (Unaccredited stunt fight), Bicycle(Web-Series in production), Revolution, Dallas, Chase, Friday Night Lights, Spy Kids 2 and many Independents. Click Here for more information on Brian Thornton.
Jerri Moore - Jerri Moore, LLC
Film Producer
Jerri Moore is an award winning Independent film producer, designer, and philanthropist. Two of Moore's films premiered at Sundance (Ass Backwards, Among Ravens) and her latest film Land of Leopold garnered many Audience Awards on the Festival circuit and has been acquired by HBO Europe and most recently for distribution by Concourse Media in the US. Moore started out her career in front of the camera modeling and acting and starred in several national commercials such as Aunt Jemima Pancakes, Lincoln Mercury, Hewlett Packard. Click Here for more information on Jerri Duddlesten Moore.
Jalene Mack, Esq. - MPAC Founder & Artistic Director
Entertainment Attorney, Producer, Actress
In looking at African-American women emerging as leaders to the national forefront, Entertainment Attorney Jalene M. Mack will not be overlooked. Jalene is not only an entertainment attorney but has successfully integrated the demanding roles of wife, mother, actress, playwright, producer, writer, founder of a performing arts nonprofit by keeping the focus on her long-term goal "to make an impact on the entertainment industry". Click Here for more information on Jalene Mack.
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Dr. D. Ivan Young - Reality-N-3D Publishing, Inc.
America's Leading Relationship & Emotional, Intelligence Expert, Life Coach
As a master credentialed expert on personality type, Dr. D. Ivan Young is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. His theories about Law of Attraction and human emotional intelligence have gone viral on YouTube by millions of fans around the world. Click Here for more information on Dr. D. Ivan Young
Velma Trayham - ThinkZILLA Consulting Group
Marketing Expert & Brand Strategist
Velma Trayham - Award Winning Marketing Expert, author, motivational speaker and the Founder/CEO of Thinkzilla. Her message of resiliency and faith, realized by her personal experiences of "failing forward, fast" resonates with an audience of emerging entrepreneurs and industry giants alike. Click Here for more information on Velma Trayham
Jacquelyn Aluotto - Real Beauty Real Women Nonprofit
Director of Socially Conscious Entertainment for FUBU TV
Jacquelyn Aluotto is a visionary. Labeled "The Socially Conscious Fashionista" and the "Underground Documentarian", her passion is to change the world through media, innovation, and activism. Known as a hybrid producer, creator, director, innovator, and activist, Jacquelyn has dedicated her life's work to making "giving back glamorous and activism sexy."
6:00pm - 10:00pm
Come enjoy a night of film shorts from our film winners with Director talk back. Event hosted by,
Sky Houston - Majic 102.1 FM & 97.9 The Box
Radio Personality
First joining the KMJQ-FM family in 2002, and hosting "Majic after Midnight" in 2005, SKY is no stranger to bringing her sassy energy on-air. While the #1 fear in the world for the average person is speaking before a crowd, SKY is a universal force behind the microphone and for her, the gift of gab comes with ease. A self-proclaimed entertainment junkie, SKY can be seen behind the velvet rope mingling with the who's who of Black Hollywood or interviewing local up and coming artists, community activists and executives. A tastemaker, SKY has worked within the radio and entertainment industry in the Houston, Dallas St. Louis, Cleveland and New York markets. Away from the spotlight, SKY has a passion for philanthropy and finds joy in mentoring youth.
Saturday - October 13th
9:00am
9:00am - 9:00pm
10:00am - 11:30am
Michelle Mower - Imagine Worldwide
Director, Writer, Producer
Michelle Mower is an acclaimed writer, producer and director whose work has been featured on Lifetime, Lifetime Movie Network (LMN) and Nuvo Television. Click Here for more information on Michelle Mower.
Anita Long - Long Films Studio
Producer
Anita Long is Producer / Founder of the Ink Spots Museum and Long Films Studio in Houston, TX. The museum is dedicated to the memory of her father, legendary guitar jazz musician Huey Long. Click Here for more information on Anita Long.
Caroline Garcia - HBO
Talent Acquisition
Caroline Garcia is an experienced Recruiting Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Skilled in Diversity Recruitment, Career Development Coaching and Generalist Human Resources functions.
Dr. Michon Benson-Marsh - Texas Southern University
English and Creative Writing Professor
As a Visiting Professor of English at Texas Southern University, Dr. Benson has earned excellent performance evaluations for her work in Freshman Composition and African American Literature courses.
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Joe Newcomb, Truth Entertainment
President & CEO
Mr. Newcomb serves as Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Truth Industries, which comprises an expanding portfolio of businesses including marketing and distribution, properties, design, investments, development and entertainment. Building upon his 22 year career in the chemical and fertilizing industry, Newcomb founded TRUTH Chemical in 2003 and TRUTH Products in 2005 an innovative leader in marketing, trading and distribution servicing the agricultural, oil, gas, and drilling business sectors as well as the consumer lawn and garden market. He started his career in the chemical sector at the Fortune 500 company Potash Corp ( formerly known as the Arcadian Corporation), the world's largest fertilizer company serving as their sales manager. Click Here for more information on Jerome Love.
Jerome Love - Texas Black Expo
President & CEO
Author
Jerome Love is the founder and president of the Texas Black Expo, Inc., producers of the nationally-recognized Texas Black Expo Summer Celebration, which is the largest African-American tradeshow in the state of Texas. He earned a B.S. in corporate communications with a minor in business from the University of Texas at Austin. During his tenure at the University of Texas, Love had a brief stint in corporate America, which motivated his entrepreneurial ambitions. Click Here for more information on Jerome Love.
Jonavon Stephens - AQV Investment Services
Financial Advisor
Music, Sports & Entertainment
Jonavon Stephens has worked with the biggest stars and most influential companies in the music, TV/film, and sports industries. Jonavon has brokered deals with major music labels like Jive Records, DEF Jam Recordings, Atlantic Records, Sony, and Empire. His client list includes Monica, Marsha Ambrosius, K'Jon, Ben Frank, LDon, TK-N-CA$H, HeadKrack, Willie Moore, Jr., and more.
Dr. Tyrone Dixon - New York Film Academy and Texas Southern University
School of Communication
Professor & Filmmaker
Tyrone D. Dixon graduated from the American Film Institute (AFI) in the Producing Program. Has produced and directed music videos and short films while as an executive for Russell Simmons' Def Pictures. Tyrone was a producer and director on Emmy nominated TV show Cool Women with Executive Producer Debbie Allen. Click Here for more information on Dr. Tyrone Dixon.
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Carlos Tovar - Tovar Media
Producer, Writer, Director
Armed with a formal background in digital media production and a shrewd eye for story-telling, Carlos has crewed for feature films such as Cook County, Tree of Life, Wolvesbayne, Mindsight, This is America. Click Here for more information on Carlos Tovar.
Greg Carter - Showrunner - Nexus Entertainment, Inc.
Creator & TV Showrunner
Producer, Writer, Director
Greg is a native of Houston, Texas and a graduate of Texas A&M University. After studying under Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Charles Gordone, Greg Studied film at Rice's prestigious School of Visual and Dramatic Arts under Professor Brian Huberman with producer Elizabeth Avellan. Click Here for more information on Greg Carter
Nkem Denchukwu - Street Corner Films
Producer, Production Manager, Casting Director
Nkem was named one of Africa's Top 40 Women in Films and Television by FilmBiz Magazine. In 2017, Nkem produced political/crime/drama; LONE STAR DECEPTION, starring Oscar Nominee, Eric Roberts, Anthony Ray Parker (known for Matrix), Nse Ikpe-Etim (one of Africa's finest actress), and a host of other great talents. Click Here for more information on Nkem Denchukwu.
Jarren Smalls - Legends Do Live Founder
Smalls graduated from Prairie View A & M University '12. Smalls majored in mass communication with a minor in marketing. While attending college he developed a passion for the betterment of the student body. Smalls became the Student Government Association president in 2012. Click Here for more information on Jaren Smalls
4:00pm - 5:30pm
Kiana Dancie - 3D Media Entertainment Group, LLC
Media Personality, Comedian, Actress
Kiana Dancie is the first female celebrity guest ringmaster for the Universoul Circus. She is also the only female house MC for the upscale Atlanta Comedy Theater. Click Here for more information on Kiana Dancie.
Headkrack - Dish Nation Host
Headkrack has won multiple underground hip-hop battles across the country and was a featured artist on the 2003 and 2004 Vans Warped Tour, as well as numerous groundbreaking performances at various festivals across the country. In 2010, Headkrack plowed through all competition to win Atlanta's 2010 RedBull Emsee Battle. Click Here for more information on Headkrack.
Bishop Black - Blaze X Black Show Host
Singer, Producer
Bishop Black has curated compositions for other pop & hip hop acts and independent films. Seeking to fufill his mission to be "more than music, but a lifestyle". Click Here for more information on Bishop Black.
6:00pm
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Check back for room placement and updates. Speakers still being added. Sponsors, Vendors, Monologue Competition, and Open Mic Artists interested, send us an email at: admin@mpac-arts.org. Click button(s) to see specific form/application.
Submit Your Film and Purchase Tickets at https://filmfreeway.com/MPACFilmFest
2016
Bi-Annual Film Fest Highlights Reel
