CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ten aspiring filmmakers are receiving red carpet treatment this weekend during a special Charlotte screening. It's part of the Black Girls Film Camp Screening and Awards Showcase.
The event kicks off Saturday morning at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City.
What You Need To Know
Black Girls Film Camp was founded in 2021
Provides a free 12-week experience for young black girls to create short films and tell their stories
The films are being screened during a Red Carpet event Saturday morning
The screening is part of the Black Girls Film Camp, a 12-week free experience for Black girls to create short films and put their stories on the big screen.
Executive Director for Black Girls Film Camp Dr. Jimmeka Anderson says the organization is creating spaces for Black girls to be their most authentic selves and share their stories with the world.
"There's not too many spaces where Black girls can be their most authentic selves," Anderson said. "In order to create authentically, you need to be in spaces where you can be your most authentic self. Additionally, a lot of people don't know there's a lot of disparities that Black girls are experiencing different from Black boys and white girls, or girls in general. I came up with a vision of doing this while I was in my Ph.D. program."
She said she discovered that Black girls have the lowest litercy proficiency rates from their gender peer group. She said they also scoured the lowest in technology abilities and went through hyper-criminalization.
"So there's this need to create spaces that encourage and empower them through literacy, technology and creativity. That's why this space is important to center black girls experiences and their voices," Anderson said.
She said the film camp is also paving a way to diversify the film industry.
“Position them to hone in on that power, the narrative of Black girls, where they can even employ more Black girls in front and behind the camera," Anderson said.
Over 200 young girls applied for the 2022 Black Girls Film Camp.
Ten finalists were chosen, including three Black girls from the Charlotte area.
The girls embarked on a 12-week experience, which included workshops led by veteran industry professionals in Hollywood and film.
Each teen was provided free resources from the camp leaders, allowing to write, produce and bring their short films to life.
Camille Satterwhite-Rambert is 13 years old, and she is the youngest filmmaker in the bunch.
She attended middle school at Northwest School of the Arts and will be going to North Mecklenburg High School this fall.
Satterwhite-Rambert says growing up, she watched a lot of '90s Black sitcoms, such as "Living Single" and "Martin." Those images motivated her to create stories telling the Black experience.
"I like the Blackness in those shows and how Black people were embraced," Satterwhite-Rambert said. "I love my Black beauty. I could be myself and relate to what I saw on the television screen. I want to create films like that so people can relate to what I have to offer. I would like to become a producer and director in movie making."
Satterwhite-Rambert was inspired to write a short film after learning about an essay contest. Those words turned into the film "The Hidden Flavor," which is being showcased Saturday.
“I worked hard on this, writing this script, talking to cast members. For this to be my first short film — I’m very proud of myself," she said.
Related: Black Girls Film Camp gives teenagers glimpse of potential career path
The storyline for her film is close to her heart.
The plot focuses on a young spunky Black girl named Willow. She’s taunted by bullies and ends up losing the ingredients that make her special.
But with the help of her mother, Willow finds her way back to her true self.
She says the story plot mirrors some of her experiences as a young Black girl.
“I’ve always been a very unique person," Satterwhite-Rambert said. "A lot of people didn’t understand that. I felt misunderstood. People would be telling me I was doing too much when really they weren’t doing enough.”
Satterwhite-Rambert says her goal is to inspire other young Black girls to go after their dreams.
"Black Girls Film Camps is the first time I've ever sharing myself with the world and putting myself out there," Satterwhite-Rambert said. "I took a risk and trusted God, and here I am today.”
The Black Girls Film Camp Screening and Awards Showcase kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The screening is being held virtually and in-person.
Anyone interested in attending the event must register and reserve a ticket on the Black Girls Film Camp site.