In Uncertain Times, the Hip Hop Film Festival Issues Filmmakers An Economic Stimulus Check.
With all the bad news regarding quarantines and job loss that have entered the global conversation as of late, one unique and maverick CEO is doing everything she can to support the filmmakers her organization was designed for.
CR Capers’ award winning Hip Hop Film Festival, began releasing checks as of April 1 to the filmmakers featured on its private label platform 247films.tv
“Today did not begin well…I attended the virtual funeral of a childhood friend. This Corona virus has really changed everything.” says CR. “I was so consumed with the quarantine, I forgot today was a milestone for us. While I’m typing the letter to the filmmakers, a colleague pointed out that this would be the first check many of them would see for the time being… and I began to tear up a bit.. because that is my entire mission.. to provide an economic ecosystem for us filmmakers who are often looked over, copycatted and left aside.”
The network, cheekily nicknamed “NETFLIX for the Hip Hop cultured” by fans, is not in competition with any of the streaming giants, but it offers a solution to the best filmmakers from the culture who are often overlooked.
247Films.tv is the streaming companion to the Hip Hop Film Festival , now entering its 5th season. Previous festival winners have secured deals with NETFLIX, REVOLT, RED BULL TV, and AMAZON just to name a few.
Each season, CR picks her personal favorites from over 250 festival selections and releases a monthly “247 Mixtape”. Each mixtape is themed and showcases the many genres filmmakers who grew up in the Hip Hop culture tackle in their storytelling. From sci-fi to romance to horror… these filmmakers are creating the content of the future…and Hollywood is watching, offering filmmakers from CR’s Hip Hop Film Festival network distribution deals and gigs.
The work of providing filmmakers and economic ecosystem is a challenge that CR tackles daily as the Founder/CEO of Harlem Film House, the parent company of the Hip Hop Film Festival and 247films.tv.
Although the popular festival began in 2015, it was established in 2018 as a full fledged 501(c)(3). This young organization has beat all the other festivals to the punch by putting its money where its mouth is. It offers a Fiscal Sponsorship Program, a hugely popular monthly open mic for writers and actors called “ACT UP!” (sponsored by Backstage and Final Draft) and even a screening event called “WE WATCH” that is free to the community with catered fare from celebrity chef Andrew LoPresto’s Babbalucci Restaurant. This program serves as a focus group for filmmakers to test their work with real consumers before pitching for deals or entering into festivals.
The Hip Hop Film Festival is taking place August 6–9, 2020 in NYC at NBT, with an alternate dates in October, should the NYC shutdown expand past July. Submissions are open now at https://filmfreeway.com/hiphopfilmfestival.
Find out more about the Harlem Film House and it’s programs here >>> Harlem Film House
