Call for Films - Extended Deadline: *February 28, 2010.*
The *France Noire/Black France* Film Festival-an extension of the *France Noire - Black France* conference held in June 2008 at Columbia University's Institute for Scholars at Reid Hall in Paris-is a showcase for films that focus on the theme: "The Black Presence in France," that is, the historical and contemporary experiences of people of African descent in French society. Indeed, in recent years, France has seen exciting developments and inspiring activity in the artistic, cultural, intellectual, political, religious, and social lives of those who identify themselves and are identified as "les Noirs de et en France." This includes the impact of the Black/African American experience in Paris and in France, which remains a topic of intense debate. The myriad manifestations of their socio-political engagement and cultural expression of "Blacks" in France have been richly documented in film. We seek, then, to promote and draw necessary light to a hugely important, though largely under-exposed, cinematic genre that focuses broadly on "Blacks" in France. The *France Noire/Black France* Film Festival is designed to attract a diverse audience in order to contribute to the strengthening of international, cross-cultural, and cross-generational understanding of the themes and issues examined in these films.

Call for Films - Deadline: *February 28, 2010.*
The *France Noire \Black France* Film Festival invites independent film entries of any length devoted to our core theme, *The Black Presence in France/La Présence Noire en France.* Two shorts and one feature length film will be selected by a jury process for featured public screening and recognition during the festival, and the filmmakers will be invited to discuss the film in a public forum. The films will be subtitled, and a 500 euros (shorts) and 1000 euros (feature) film award will be given to filmmakers whose work is accepted and screened. You will be notified by email if your film is accepted. All genres/subject areas are welcome. Please include a self-addressed postage paid envelope if you want your work returned. All preview copies must be marked with your name and contact information.

Deadline: *February 28, 2010.* All footage - including music and other referenced video pieces - must have all rights cleared and secured. If you have signed a contract with any other entity for this film that includes EXCLUSIVE rights to this film, please review prior to submitting to our festival. We do not ask for exclusive rights. Submissions must be sent to us on DVD and programmed to play as a DVD Region 0 (region free) or Region 1.
Please note that the following formats will not be considered: VHS, CD-R (QuickTime MOV or MPG files) or mini-DV. We will not accept emailed submissions or links to watch online. We must have a physical copy of the film.


"France Noire/Black France" Film Festival
La Présence Noire en France/The Black Presence in France

May 21- 23, 2010

Location: Forum des Images
www.forumdesimages.fr
Forum des Halles - 2, rue du Cinéma
75001 Paris
♦
Pre-screening Film Projection Event
May 20, 2010
United States Embassy
*Website Launch - January, 2010
Initial Program - February, 2010


Organizers' Contact Information:
France:
Professors Trica Keaton and Arlette Frund
Columbia University Institute for Scholars at Reid Hall
4, rue de Chevreuse - 75006 Paris, France\
Email: trica.d.keaton(@)vanderbilt.edu and frunda(@)wanadoo.fr

USA:
T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting
Professor of French & Italian
Director of W. T. Bandy Center for Baudelaire and Modern French Studies
Director of Program in African American and Diaspora Studies
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Box 351516
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN 37235-1516
Email: t.sharpley-whiting(@)Vanderbilt.Edu