Ask an Alum: Danielle Deadwyler, a.k.a. Elevate ATL's Didi Xio

Continuing our Ask an Alum series, we talked with ATLFF-selected filmmaker and actress Danielle Deadwyler about what makes Atlanta home, what she has coming up (hint: go to Elevate ATL!) and why she submitted to the festival. Currently showcased in the International Terminal in the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as part of the Atlanta Film Society's Airport Shorts Program version 3.0 with her short film Su:Per:He:Ro:In:Uh, Deadwyler is the first recipient of the Living Walls Laura Patricia Calle Grant with her project BUST IT OPEN—a multimedia arts installation that champions black feminism.

Q: ATLFF knows you primarily as an actress and narrative short filmmaker. What other genres do you like to work with?
A: I work in dance, experimental video/film, theatre, voiceover, poetry and hiphop (I go by didi xio too)...as well as film and TV. I'm willing and open and invested in being malleable and collaborative. I invite myself to play in all fields.

Q: What sets Atlanta apart for you as a creative home?
A: Atlanta is home first. That's what sets it apart. You know something, or a place, inside out, then it shifts as Atlanta is right now, and you have to relearn it, or learn as you go. And yet that place still holds history, memory all over you...that is a creative flux right there. It's a place still morphing...other cities are fixed...Atlanta is creatively taking shape, and can be shaped by artists who are present.

Q: Why did you submit your films to ATLFF? 
A: I submitted to ATLFF to gain connection. To reveal work at home. To be a part of a significant festival that could support me with access to information, education, and like minds.

Q: What part of Atlanta (or place in Atlanta) serves as your most reliable or impactful arts incubator?
A: I can't say one place or one part of Atlanta has been most reliable for incubating my arts growth. There have always been multiple hoods and places serving my growth simultaneously. Whether I'm in Little five doing theatre or experimental work, or on Broad St of late performing with Dux or showing performance art work, or downtown learning at C4, or performing at the Southwest Arts Center, or being nurtured as an emerging artist at Spelman's Museum...Atlanta as a whole has invested in the present form of art that I am producing or collaborating to create.

Q: Okay, everyone's favorite question—what are you working on now?
A: I'm currently preparing to present a public performance art multimedia work at ELEVATE ATLANTA Friday October 14. Come check it out! I'm traveling 3.8 miles from the old Club Nikki on Metropolitan Pkwy (old Stewart Ave) to Broad St and Mitchell St, where the ELEVATE event will be held.

Q: If you were an Atlanta neighborhood. which would you be?
A: I'd have to be Capital View...its the neighborhood that birthed me.

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We love our filmmakers. We love Atlanta. And there's no such thing as too much of either. Submit your work(s) in any of twelve categories before prices rise with the late deadline—October 28th. Catch Danielle and her work this weekend at Elevate ATL! You'll also find ATLFS-supported works from Josephine Figueroa and the Digital Good Times crew.

Call For Entries Now Open for 2016 Atlanta Film Festival!

The Call for Entries for the 2016 Atlanta Film Festival is now open! From April 1 to April 10, 2016, we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary and we are looking to you to help us make it our best yet.

Last year, we received 3,761 submissions from more than 120 countries across all 6 populated continents (sorry, Antarctica). Over 200 films featured in ATLFF '15 and 80% of those came from submissions! We are looking for groundbreaking works in narrative and documentary features, short films, experimental films, puppetry films, music videos and television pilots. In addition to our annual film festival, short films will also be considered for our year-round programs like Airport SHORTS or the Film Festival Collective OnDemand channel.

We accept submissions through both FilmFreeway and Withoutabox. To save money, consider submitting your completed film by the Earlybird Deadline on June 20. The Regular Deadline is September 18, the Late Deadline is set for October 23 and the Withoutabox Extended Deadline is November 6. Discounts are available for students and ATLFF members.

Films must comply with category requirements and filmmakers must complete the process and payment to be considered for ATLFF '16. We know you've got some great work, now let us help you show it off!

ATLFF Proud to Introduce Airport Shorts 2.0

We are excited to announce the second edition of films for its Airport Shorts Programs, created in partnership with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Engaging an international audience at the world’s busiest airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Art Program

The Airport Art Program develops and integrates art, exhibits and performances into the fabric of the Airport environment for the benefit of passengers and employees. The Program has three major components: commissioning artists to create site specific artwork, presenting rotating exhibitions, and scheduling performing arts series. Each part of the program strives to meet the Department of Aviation's goal of becoming the world's best airport by exceeding customer expectations.

Atlanta Film Festival Airport Shorts Program

Atlanta Film Festival is proud to provide the Airport SHORTS program in the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as part of the Airport Art Program. Unveiled in spring of 2012, the program showcases two hours of short films from all over the world on nearly 30 screens throughout the terminal to 14 million travelers annually 365 days per year.

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