I am very proud to have been part of the film screening committee for the first Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase which is taking place today at Quai 21- 21 Quai Saint Pierre, France as part of the Cannes Film Festival which is taking place from 15th-26th May this year.

These are the 8 films that made it to the shortlist in competition:

Welcome Yankee by Benoit Desjardins (Canada)
Kdo se boji crnega moza? by Janez Lapajne (Slovenia)
Echoes by Crystle Roberson (USA)
You Look Stunning Too (Men With Eggs) by Nina Hatchwell (United Kingdom)
Dios por el Cuello by Jose Trigueiros (Spain)
Setting of the Son by Helen Banks (USA)
Karaoke by Ondrej Hudecek (Czech Republic)
Adan by Paloma Martinez (USA)

There are also two films which will be screened out of competition:
Silent Treatment by Martine Jean (USA) (silent)
Persiennes by Céline Masson (Switzerland) (experimental)

The programme for the event is as follows:
1PM-short film dialogue with Entertainment Attorney Shannon Nash and screening of her short docudrama Colored My Mine
2PM-Diversity in Cannes Short Film Screenings & Competition
4PM-reception & awards

 About YRB International Exposure and Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase & Awards

While this is the first year for the showcase and awards, Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes was created as a filmmaker symposium in 2010 by Yolonda Brinkley with the objectives of promoting diversity at the Cannes Film Festival and preserving the underrepresented story globally. Since its inception, the movement has hosted panelists from Ghana, Congo, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States including award winning directors Michael Rowe, Alrick Brown and Camera D’Or (Golden Camera) nominee and two times Cannes Film Festival alum Annemarie Jacir, Palestine’s first female feature filmmaker.

YRB International Exposure is delighted to present its first Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase & Awards. Since not all filmmakers were accepted into official competition or recognized for their accomplishments by the Festival de Cannes, we will celebrate their accomplishments. The Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards is the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the work of globally diverse filmmakers sharing stories specific to race, age, gender, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation at the Cannes Film Festival and beyond.

-Yolonda Brinkley, CEO & Chief Strategist

Presented by YRB International Exposure with support from Bugsy Productions, Lacy J Law, author Nadia Denton, Festhome and Cinematiqmag the 1st Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase presents eight films in competition selected, from all eligible entries, by an independent screening committee of globally diverse film industry executives and enthusiasts. Final winners are selected by jury and announced after the screening during the awards ceremony.  US Entertainment Attorney & CPA, Shannon Nash will oversee the jury and will serve as keynote speaker. There will be a special screening of her short docudrama Colored My Mind, starring Nicole Ari Parker, Blair Underwood and Tisha Campbell Martin, the film’s executive producer.

Yolonda should be commended for her work with Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes.  As an arab director and the first Palestinian woman to make a feature film, it has been a real struggle and I appreciate the important work she is doing.

– Annemarie Jacir

The 1st Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase and Awards are open to the public and scheduled for

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