Deported Documentary Launches Traveling Film Series

BOCA RATON, FL., September 30, 2014 — An estimated 830,000 Haitians live in the United States and of that number, 47% reside in Florida. In more ways than one, South Florida reflects the “patchwork heritage” that our President Barack Obama has spoken about for all Americans lives. It’s no wonder then that a new traveling Florida Film Series seeks to explore issues of race and diversity in America through the lens of Haitian and Haitian-American filmmakers.

Ayiti Images will showcase four films for its inaugural 2014 – 2015 traveling film series that brings the Haitian experience to life on screen. And, the Boca Black Film Festival’s community initiative is partnering with Ayiti Images to discuss and talk about the cultural diversity needs and social mores of race in America at the Palm Beach County showcase screening, reception and dialogue.

Launching the series is DEPORTED, a documentary by filmmakers Rachele Magloire and Chantal Regnault. The film explores and gives voice to the Haitian offenders who are deported back to Haiti, their home country, after one’s prison sentence has ended in the United States. Back in Port-Au-Prince, these Haitians find a new city that they once occupied but left as children—a new life begins for these “Americans” in an environment that can be both completely unfamiliar and hostile.

Filmmaker and producer Rachelle Salnave says coordinating the film program is necessary but more community education needs to be done to bring awareness to the diversity of emerging film artists. “The Haitian community loves supporting the Kompa bands and culinary events but when it comes to quality Haitian films and its filmmakers, that art form and its producers are still in its infancy, Salnave said. “Ayiti Images not only provides an opportunity for people to be exposed to these filmmakers but it also gives the artists a chance to exhibit their work to the broader Florida community.” DEPORTED is just one opportunity during this film series that aims to tell this unique story about convicted and sentenced offenders who are deported to their home country, Haiti.

In partnership with The Green Family Foundation, The Latin American and Caribbean Center at FIU, and the Cinema and Interactive Media Department at the University of Miami, Ayiti Images first film screening kicked off on Wednesday, October 1, and will continue until Saturday, October 4, with the Lake Worth Playhouse screening, at 8 pm. General admission is $11 at the Lake Worth Playhouse, with student admission at $7.

The film series will screen its documentaries throughout the South Florida community at locations such as FIU (South Campus), University of Miami (Coral Gables), Little Haiti Cultural Center and the African-American Research Library in Ft. Lauderdale. Two of these screenings are Free and Open to the Public. The South Florida community has a unique opportunity to learn about Haitian culture while also being exposed to new conversations about the Haitian perspective.

The Boca Black Film Festival is the premier creative arts and educational film fest that specifically celebrates and champions independent film works created, designed and inspired by persons of black heritage. And the organization is proud to partner with Ayiti Images on the traveling film series. The Boca Black Film Festival will return on July 16 – 19, 2015, in Boca Raton, Florida, and supports filmmakers of color.

SOURCE Boca Black Film Festival