Our Stories Productions (OSP), Queer Black
Cinema (QBC) and QBC TV present: Just|BE -The 1st Annual 72 Hour Black LGBTQ Erotica Film
Competition. The contest is a nationwide competition where filmmaking teams composed of one
filmmaker, one poet and a crew have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit and produce a short film inspired by
Black gay erotic literature or poetry. Just|BE is the first film competition of its kind. The contest will
begin August 17th to August 20th. Sign up to www.myspace.com/justbe72hrsfilms
to find out how to register.

Black LGBTQ erotica has enjoyed tremendous success online and in print. From the popular writings of
The Punany Poets, Zane and Essex Hemphill to the advent of web sites like AfroerotiK, Rundu and
KUMA, the art form continues to flourish and satisfy clientele globally to no end. However, examples of
imaginative and sophisticated Black gay erotica films are undeniably underrepresented on the big screen.
For audience members whose taste for more sensual and compassionate films beyond pornography the
market is extremely limited. Thus, the concept of Just|BE came to fruition.

The intention of Just|BE is to create opportunities for Black LGBTQ producers, artists and their allies to
demonstrate their talent and impact the visibility of inventive Black gay erotica stories in film and
television as well as promote HIV/AIDS awareness. Taking cue from films like Issac Julien’s Looking
for Langston, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Love Jones or Black lesbian short, Desperate for Love;
the Just|BE film competition not only hopes to produce a series of new Black gay erotica films with
substance and pois but bring light to great writings. The purpose of the film contest is to create
imaginative erotic films that evoke sensuality, romance and comment to safer sex.


“There is such a dominance of Black LGBTQ erotica literature, poetry and photography however, where
are the films? They are non-existent. All too often many stigmatize our community only capable of
producing pornography. This contest hopes to change all that. It’s about showing the closeness in
relationships and making Black erotica writings more visible. In addition, the contest incorporates the theme of HIV/AIDS awareness. We want people to know sex is not a bad thing. Just be safe,” states, Angel L. Brown QBC executive producer.

“Sex and sexuality in the Black community is so taboo that the very thought of lovemaking
between Black gays and lesbians is a foreign concept. Just|BE is very much about showing audiences
the diversity images of LGBTQ relationships-not just sex. Also, the contest is way to show our commitment to tackling the rising percentage of HIV/AIDS in the Black community. It was imperative to do the contest during Black Pride month,” says QBC co-producer, Kawana S. Bullock.

On August 17th – August 20th, Just|BE will commence. The competition’s theme will be simultaneously relayed over the Internet. The contest anticipates a great deal of teams/submission not including the countless numbers of spirited supporters and enthusiasts. Scheduled to host the event is Nuyorican Poets Café and Bowery Poetry Club veteran performance poet and songwriter, Baron. Also in attendance will be celebrity judges from the poetry and filmmaking worlds.

Sponsors and media are invited to participate in this unique and exciting event. Portions of the contest
will go towards the 2008 QBC International Music & Film Festival. To learn more details about Just|BE, Our Stories Productions and Queer Black Cinema, go to www.myspace.com/justbe72hrsfilms or www.justbe.queerblackcinema.org.




About Just | BE Productions Partners

Our Stories Productions (OSP) is a progressive LGBTQ-owned and operated independent film & TV production company based in NYC. OSP was founded in 2003 by filmmaker, editor, writer and musician, Angel L. Brown. The company specializes in digital media production & consultation, non-linear editing & other post-production services, film festival programming, film distribution and musical composition. Our Stories Productions: Tellin’ Our Stories, One Film at a Time! ‚

Queer Black Cinema‚ (QBC), is a volunteer-ran monthly micro-cinema dedicated to showcasing US and international films from Black LGBTQ filmmakers. Based in NYC, the monthly film series launched in 2005 and currently, is hosted at The LGBT Community Center in Chelsea, Manhattan. QBC strives to promote the best of “edutainment”- socially conscious film & music programming and entertainment regarding Black LGBTQ culture & history. All regardless of sexual orientation or ethnicity are welcomed to attend the event. QBC is an Our Stories Productions project.

QBC TV is an online television show that features and promotes invited filmmakers, producers and artists of QBC ReelTALK- a question and answer community forum held at Queer Black Cinema‚.