Independent Global Filmmaker Showcase Promoting Inclusion At Festival De Cannes Announces Winners

LOS ANGELES - May 22, 2018 - PRLog -- Yolonda Brinkley, creator of Beyond Borders: Diversity in Cannes is pleased to announce the winners of the 2018 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase. Eighteen uniquely themed films from across the globe were in competition, in two parallel sections, at the independently produced event sponsored by Viola Davis's JuVee Productions, during the 71st Festival de Cannes.

90 Days, a collaboration between Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Nathan Hale Williams, which strives to dispel prevailing myths about what it means to be HIV positive, particularly when it comes to dating, sex, marriage and having children, is the winner of the 2018 Diversity in Cannes General Short Film Showcase and also received the Audience Choice Award and a best actress nod for leading lady Teyonah Parris.

"The Diversity in Cannes Showcase epitomizes what this moment and movement is all about- the inclusion of the full color of our stories from around the world. Our team is forever grateful to Yolonda for being a visionary and the jury for selecting "90 DAYS" as the winner. It truly means the world to us and we are still beaming.  We will certainly be back!" - Nathan Hale Williams, Writer/Director/Executive Producer, "90 Days"

The winner of the 2018 Diversity in Cannes Women in Formation Short Film Showcase is The Big Chop, by USC Graduate Film School alum, Derek Dow. The story follows 10 year old Kris on her hair journey into adulthood; until one day she stands in the mirror and does the unimaginable, resulting in a pure emotional roller-coaster. The Big Chop also received awards for best actress, best original score and best cast.

"Giving a voice to those who sometimes feel voiceless, is what the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase is. The plethora of stories that you get to experience all under one roof is Amazing!!! It was a tremendous honor to take away some of the awards that we did because the competition was stiff. Please keep us on our toes guys and please keep curating the culture." - Derek Dow, Director - "The Big Chop"

"We'd like to extend our highest congrats to the winners of this year's Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, Nathan Hale Williams and Jennia Fredrique Aponte for "90 Days" and "The Big Chop's" Derek Dow. Thanks to all the participating filmmakers for creating and sharing their great work."  -Julius Tennon, JuVee Productions, President of Development & Production

Additional accolades announced during the showcase include Director, Jury and Audience Choice Awards as follows:

Audience Choice

The Counter: 1960 by Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd

90 Days by Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Nathan Hale Williams

Director's Choice

Colors by Gianni del Corral

Sparrow by Welby Ings

Proclamation Punctuation by Sewra G Kidane

Jury Choice

Reel Women Seen by Amanda Tapping

Best Actress

Mckenzie Franklin, The Big Chop by Derek Dow

Teyonah Parris, 90 Days by Jennia Fredrique Aponte and Nathan Hale Williams

Best Actor

Damian Sommerland, Bridget and Iain by Leah Patterson

Merrick Rillstone, Sparrow by Welby Ings

Best Editing

Proclamation Punctuation by Sewra G Kidane

Grace by Alex Holmes

Best Cinematography

The Counter: 1960 by Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd

Sparrow by Welby Ings

Best Cast

Nemausus by Quentin Uriel

The Big Chop by Derek Dow

Best Score

The Big Chop by Derek Dow

La Cumbre by Dana Romanoff

"The selections for the 2018 Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase show there is no shortage of talent and stories coming from our communities of color around the world. Congratulations to this year's winners Nathan Hale Williams and Jennia Frederique Aponte for 90 Days and The Big Chop's Derek Dow. We commend Yolonda Brinkley's hard work and look forward to BEYOND BORDERS DIVERSITY IN CANNES' 10 year anniversary celebration in May 2019." - María Margarita López & Luis Ramón Quintero, Ajuua Entertainment

Presented during the 71st Festival de Cannes, by Yolonda Brinkley, US based entertainment publicist and event producer, with support from Viola Davis' JuVee Productions, Ajuua Entertainment and Clark Atlanta University Alumna Fannie Pearl Bakon, the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase highlighted 18 films in competition from Australia, Canada, France, India, Italy, Martinique, New Zealand, Spain the United Kingdom and the United States. The uniquely themed films were selected by an independent screening committee and judged onsite by a distinguished jury of diverse film industry enthusiasts. For photos follow us on social media Facebook (http://facebook.com/diversityincannes), IG and Twitter @diversencannes. Email us at diversityincannes@hotmail.com for interviews.