Just Be: Queer Black Erotica Film Competition

“Sex is a part of life, and it’s okay,” says Angel L. Brown producer of Queer Black Cinema. That’s a message QBC hopes comes out in its 72 hours erotic film competition. QBC is inviting filmmakers and poets to join together to make a short erotic film that also addresses the issue of HIV and AIDS in the Black queer community.

QBC is an organization that hosts a monthly Black gay film series in New York City. The organization wanted to find a way to include writers and poets in the art of filmmaking. Also, they saw a void of any good black gay erotica. “Just as it’s hard to find gay Black films, it’s even harder to find gay Black erotic films,” Kawana S. Bullock, QBC co-producer said. Erotica is different from pornography. QBC defines erotica as a work of art (poetry, photographs, literature, films) that evokes sensuality, intimacy and/or sexual feelings.

They want to see a short sexy film, based on an original poem. The contest is an international competition where filmmaking teams composed of one filmmaker, one poet and a crew have 72 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film inspired by original Black gay erotic poetry and promotes HIV/AIDS awareness. The contest will take place Friday, August 17th to Monday, August 20th.

“We want to kill 3 birds with one stone,” Brown says,

1. Breaking down the stereotype about gay people that all they do is have sex.
2. You’re going to see the beauty and art of intimacy and love.
3. While we have your attention, let’s throw in a message about practicing safe sex and a way for people to communicate about safe sex.

Deadline to sign up is August 6th. For more information and to register Just Be: Black Queer Cinema.