South Florida Writer/Director and Actress Fedleine Jerome’s Short Film “The Therapist” to Grace the 2024 Pan African Film Festival

LOS ANGELES, CA- February 9, 2024— Emerging Haitian American actress, writer, director, and mother of two, Fedleine Jerome, is all set to showcase her award-winning short film, "The Therapist," at the esteemed 2024 Pan African Film Festival. This cinematic gem will be screened on February 11 and February 16 at 8:30 pm at the Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw and XD at 4020 Marlton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90008.

Born in Haiti, Fedleine and her family immigrated to South Florida when she was two. Despite facing the challenges of growing up below the poverty line, her unwavering determination led her to study theater with a minor in dance at the University of Florida on a full scholarship. Fedleine subsequently embarked on a career as an elementary school teacher before discovering her true calling in filmmaking.

Fedleine's narrative work delves into themes of self-discovery, exploration, motherhood, and transcendence, often skillfully infused with humor and timely dialogue. Her journey from graduating with a theater degree from the University of Florida to directing commercials, experimenting with different cinematic styles, and performing various roles on set, from Production Assistant to First Assistant Camera, has been inspiring.

"The Therapist" is a personal love letter and a roadmap for Fedleine. The main characters, Brooke and Elisa, represent different facets of her journey, from being an unfulfilled wife to embracing her identity as a free-spirited artist. Dealing with a chronic disease diagnosis and rejection from a prominent black film festival, Fedleine embarked on a healing journey, rediscovering her inner child, spirit, and artistic essence. In the movie, Brooke and Elisa meet during a book club focused on "The Artist's Way," a book that serves as a guiding light for blocked artists to reconnect with their creativity. Fedleine's journey mirrored this transformation, as she found that self-acceptance, inner validation, and belief in her talent were the keys to opening doors in her life.

Fedleine's short film "The Therapist" has garnered numerous accolades, including selection for the Aspire TV Filmmakers Competition, Best Local Short, and Most Watched at the Mom's Film Festival. Her work centers on women's empowerment, exploring themes of healing, sisterhood, and self-love, all while using comedy to address significant issues within the black community.

When she's not behind the camera, Fedleine enjoys dancing with her local Haitian folklore dance team, gracing local theater and improv stages at Villain Theater, expressing herself through painting, and raising her two beautiful children, Dj and Jojo, who continue to inspire her on her artistic journey.

For more information visit: fefej.com

Follow on Social: instagram @fedleinej TikTok: @fedleine

2023 Pan African Film and Arts Festival Film Guide

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Over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres!

Today, the PAFF announced its full lineup for its upcoming in-person festival Feb. 9-20, 2023. Now in its 31st year, the Festival is returning to the Cinemark Baldwin Hills and XD and the adjacent Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza will host its renowned fine art show featuring over 100 established and emerging fine artists and quality craftspeople from all over the Black Diaspora. This year’s film festival features over 150 films from 40 countries, in 19 languages, including 50 World and 22 North American premieres. Of the films selected for the Festival, 39% are helmed by female, queer or non-binary filmmakers.

The Festival film guide is available here.

Passes on sale now and can be purchased here.

Individual tickets go on sale on January 31, 2023.

 

20th Digital Studio’s BITE SIZE HALLOWEEN Brings
20 Spooky Shorts from Diverse, Emerging Filmmakers for Huluween

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Tatiana Maslany, Brigette Lundy-Paine, & Kate Nash         Included in Cast

In celebration of Huluween, 20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween series of spooky shorts is back for a third season! Twenty new shorts from exciting emerging filmmakers premiere October 1 on Hulu, blending genres like horror, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, and more.

Shot in seven different countries, this season takes on topical issues such as racism, gender, parenthood, sexuality, and identity. SNATCHED (dir. Michael Schwartz) features Tatiana Maslany (“She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law”) in her first on-screen role with husband Brendan Hines (“Locke & Key”). Misha Osherovich (“Freaky”) stars as their son.

Other shorts feature familiar faces like Brigette Lundy-Paine (“Atypical”), Lin Shaye (“Insidious”), David Costabile (“Breaking Bad”), and former “Glow” co-stars Rebekka Johnson and singer-songwriter Kate Nash who co-wrote/directed/star in a short featuring Nash’s original music.

David Worthen Brooks, 20th Digital Studio head commented: As we launch the first feature films developed with our incredibly talented Bite Size Halloween filmmaker alums, we are thrilled to introduce the next wave of dynamic filmmaking talent and their ingenious short films. We take great pride in showcasing these vital, diverse voices and their very personal twists on horror, thriller and sci-fi.”

The goal of 20th Digital Studio’s short film programs is to continue to guide and finance the growth of these artists’ careers and to transition some of the shorts into longer features. The first two films developed in this way will premiere this month for Huluween: “Grimcutty” from John William Ross on Oct. 10 and “Matriarch” from Ben Steiner on Oct. 21. Shorts from past seasons have played at festivals such as SXSW, Sundance, Tribeca, Fantasia, and more.

20th Digital Studio’s focus on diversity and inclusion continues as prestigious filmmakers from the festival world are featured, including Nuhash Humayun (“Moshari,” SXSW Grand Jury Prize), Sam Max (“Chaperone,” Sundance), Michelle Krusiec (“Bite,” AFI DWW), Zoey Martinson (“Cupids,” Tribeca), and many more.

About 20th Digital Studio

20th Digital Studio focuses on funding and producing award-winning short-form genre content together with up-and-coming filmmakers from the digital and film festival worlds. 20th Digital  develops select shorts into longer form content, packaging new voices with established producers and offering opportunities for growth and representation; always with a goal to create innovative character narrative, voice-driven filmmaking with a social message, cultural impact and box-office or streaming success. Set up in 2008 as a nimble entrepreneurial group within Fox Filmed Entertainment, 20th Digital is now a part of Disney General Entertainment Content. For more information visit: https://www.20thdigitalstudio.com/  or follow: @20thDigital on Instagram & Twitter, or facebook.com/20thdigitalstudio.

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