INTERVIEW: San Antonio Black International Film Festival

The first San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SABIFF) takes place October 10 – 13, 2019. SABIFF is the brainchild of Ada M. Babineaux (Middle Passage –N- Roots, Sassard & Blowed: Shirley Horn, I Don’ Been Through The Snake’s Skin) working with DeAnna Brown, founder of Forward Progress, Inc., a 501c3 arts and entertainment organization that “encourages creative dreamers to become authentic artists.”

The SABIFF showcases the work of filmmakers and media professionals of African Descent. The program includes a diverse mix of stories and different genres highlighting Black movies that typically do not come to the city, along with panel discussions, lectures, and training opportunities in San Antonio. Mario Tahi Lathan spoke with Ada for bfm to find out more about the inaugural event in San Antonio, Texas.

bfm: How has the experience been starting a 1st year film festival?

Ada Babineaux: We'll know after October 13th! It's hard to gauge how SABIFF 2019 will go over in San Antonio, because not only are we only 7% of the population, but Black folk are so spread out here with no central way to connect. There are goo-gobs of senseless festivals (from Avocado to Cheese sandwich festivals) but nothing substantive that focuses on the Black experience in Cinema. I think about the saying, "if you build it, they will come", so we feel that SABIFF is needed in this city with a majority Mexican population, that views ‘US’ as an afterthought. On the upside, many partners that we've reached out to are excited to hear that a Diaspora film festival is coming to the “Alamo City.” We're building it; the question is will they come? The groups here are very tribalistic in supporting their own organization-specific events. We hope to cross all lines as our outreach strategy is to encompass many cultures and experiences.

bfm: What were the challenges in bringing the festival to fruition?

Ada Babineaux: Our start was very abrupt, fueled by passion, and commitment from volunteers. The SABIFF team comprised of less than 10 people, had the idea to have a festival the same year as our subsequent launch in February 2019. Our introduction to the community was successful and excitement building, so we moved forward toward an October festival dates. After speaking to venues and organizations that agreed to partner with us, we were off and running with only 6 months to plan, attract international filmmakers via our Open Call, and execute a quality, substantive festival that we can all be proud of. Given the challenge of a quick turn-around-time, we’ve put together an amazing four days!

bfm: What do you want the filmmakers and community to take away from the festival?

Ada Babineaux: We’ve tried to develop a festival that inspires the audience to connect and delve into issues that impact Diaspora people. For instance, our Opening Day film premiere, #TRUTH by Charles Murphy, deals with the aftermath of cyberbullying, and the behind the scenes corruption and contradictions of church leadership. At the Institute of Texan Cultures, we have a day programmed with short film screenings and talkback panels entitled, "Overcoming isms', Bad Hair and other Social Constructs." We hope to address the many “issues” that plague us in society, and the extra-ordinary challenges that tie into the that 'double consciousness' which W.E.B Dubois wrote about. We're all walking around and functioning with different degrees of suppressed societal PTSD, yet we function as 'normal'. Film as a powerful medium has been therapy for many filmmakers to bring their voices to the forefront. Many of the films in competition screenings speak to that.

bfm: What is your hope for the future of the SABIFF?

Ada Babineaux: Substantial sponsorship that allows us the liberty to continue to produce creative, empowering and quality film festivals in San Antonio into the future. It's an international festival, so we want to become known and respected internationally as a festival that filmmakers yearn to be a part of and audiences will fully support. SXSW in Austin was once where we are and look at them now! San Antonio is known for the Alamo, the Hemisphere tower (in our logo), the Spurs Basketball team, the Rodeo… we hope to add the San Antonio Black International Film Festival into the fold.

Mario Tahi Lathan is a filmmaker residing in Los Angeles at the moment. When he isn’t re-watching episodes of Mickey Mouse with his son, Mario is often studying the culture of all things jazz. His latest film This Is The Bash ( www.thebashfilm.com) on Haitian jazz sensation, Jowee Omicil, is touring the festival circuit.