Black Film contest set

27 films to compete, screen Feb. 19-21 at USC

By SUSANNE AULT

The Hollywood Black Film Festival will kick off its first-ever competition for black filmmakers Feb. 19-21 at the USC School of Cinema & Television.

Festival founder Tanya Kersey-Henley hopes the competition of 27 films in six different categories, including shorts, narratives and documentaries, will give "black filmmakers a showcase for their work, because right now their voices aren't getting heard."

The film "A Luv Tale," by first-time executive producer and "Martin" alum Tisha Cambell-Martin, will premiere at the event.

Campbell-Martin said she knew her film about two women who fall in love, written by Sidra Smith, "would be harder to get seen in the mainstream."

Opening the competition is "Asunder," directed by Tim Reid ("Once Upon a Time ... When We Were Colored," "Sister, Sister") and starring Blair Underwood ("Deep Impact," "Set It Off" ).

Among other films to be screened is "East of Hope Street," starring Tim Russ ("Star Trek: Voyager," "Classified X") and directed by Melvin Van Peebles.

For ticket information and screening times, call [phone].