KINGSTON, R.I. – April 20 – This year, the Rhode Island Black Film Festival (RIBFF) held its Beyond the Lens Academy at URI’s Kingston Campus for the first time, partnering with the Harrington School of Communication and Media. Over two days, 80 local high school students took part in workshops, film panels, screenings, and campus tours, with support from URI’s Office of Community Equity & Diversity (CED).
“The Beyond the Lens Academy gives high school students a first-hand look at how films are made. It’s a chance for them to see the world from new diverse perspectives, gain industry insight, and learn about the many career paths in film,” said RIBFF board member and College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Dean, Kamilah A’Vant.
The Rhode Island Black Film Festival highlights intercultural stories told through film by African-American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Indigenous and Afro-Latin filmmakers. The festival helps share the culture and history of people of African descent. The Beyond the Lens Academy began in 2022 with Johnson and Wales University. It has since been hosted by several colleges across Rhode Island, with URI and Harrington School supporting this year.
Justin Wyatt, Interim Director of the Harrington School, attended the academy and hopes to connect with students in a meaningful way.
“I’m excited to show these high school students the capabilities of our film/media students and faculty. They will have the opportunity to learn how a film is constructed, but beyond that, they will also see how our Film/Media department considers aesthetic, social and cultural issues across all forms of digital media,” said Wyatt.
On the first day, 15 core Beyond the Lens Academy students from the Paul Cuffee School and Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts visited the Kingston Campus. They were welcomed at the Welcome Center and heard remarks from Markeisha J. Miner, URI’s Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, and Assistant Dean Kamilah A’Vant. Ann-Allison Clanton, the festival’s founder and managing director, also spoke. The day-long event included icebreakers, workshops and film industry discussions led by Jonathan Clancy, photographer, content advisor and writer for Blue Wave Imagery and Newport Life Magazine, journalism professor Kendall Moore, Savanna Mai, director and writer currently pursuing a MFA at USC School of Cinematic Arts, and Edwin Rubio cinematographer/lighting technician and SGA member.
Before students returned to Providence, Nick Corsano, assistant teaching professor of film, talked about opportunities in the film department and the benefits of studying film at a liberal arts school. Students watched two short films and learned how to analyze film from a filmmaker’s perspective. The group also discussed how filmmaking requires problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and technology skills.
“Explore being an artist, even the difficult sciences classes,” said Corsano. “Liberal arts is designed to challenge you to push yourself creatively and become a diverse problem solver. It’s also important to establish an everyday practice; doing it just for yourself to move forward is just as important as making a movie for a big studio.”
Dean, a senior film major, joined Corsano to share their experience in the program.
“I started in forensic chemistry, and eventually switched to film. That’s why I chose URI: to explore film before committing to a career in it. I quickly changed to a full-time film major where I’ve built an amazing community, and I get to live and breathe film every day,” said Dean. “I love that the program gives you time to find your area of expertise, whether that’s in editing, color correction, directing, or cinematography.”
On the second day, more than 60 additional students from local high schools joined the academy, Wyatt, and Rebecca Romanow, chair and teaching professor of Film/Media welcomed them. The day included a screening and official selection of short films for the RIBFF, a panel of Black journalists, a department overview, and campus tours in breakout groups.
The panel, “Beyond the Headlines: National Association of Black Journalists Journey,” featured Eric Sellers, ESPN producer and president of the Southern New England Association of Black Journalists; Kris Craig, Providence Journal photojournalist; and Andre Stark from the Bay State Banner. They stressed the importance of advancing in journalism and encouraged students to connect, network, and intern with journalists who reflect the diversity in the room.
“If you want to produce and make films, start building your portfolio now,” said Sellers and Stark. “Everyone in this room has a phone; you can start there!”
Stark echoed Corsano’s advice from the first day, imparting that starting now with a smartphone shows ambition and passion. At this stage, it’s not about having the best equipment, but about building your skills and finding your artistic voice.
As students finished their tours and boarded buses back to Providence, the hope was for their dreams of becoming filmmakers, content creators, or journalists to feel within reach.
“Our goal is for the students to leave inspired and excited to pursue their creative potential, possibly here at URI’s Harrington School of Communication and Media,” said A’Vant.