H2O Hip-Hop Film Festival to Take Place This Month in NYC

The largest Hip-Hop film festival in the world, the H2O [Hip-Hop Odyssey] International Film Festival, will take place from May 28, 2007 – June 15, 2007 at the ImaginAsian Theatre in New York City and culminating with the hallmark Odyssey Awards hosted by Ed Lover and Paul Mooney at BB Kings Club and Grill on Saturday, June 16th. Over the course of three weeks, H2OIFF will screen over 80 films from over 10 countries; produce 9 panel discussions on topics ranging from social justice issues to spirituality to the future of media distribution.

The festival is set to begin with a special pre-launch screening of Rock the Bells and an after-party hosted by Bobbito Garcia at the APT. From May 31-June 15, Hip-Hop aficionados will enjoy a line-up that include: movie premieres such as, Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang, Mr. Devious from South Africa, Remixed in Japan, HipLife: Hip-Hop in Ghana, and Frekeunsia Colombiana, and Hiphopistan from Turkey; special screenings include: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, Bling: A Planet Rock, Bastards of the Party, Black and Blue, From Mambo To Hip-Hop, and Inside Tats CRU; and, industry insiders such as Turn off Channel Zero, Lady Beatmakers, Music Industry From AZ, WTF? An Okmentary, and I Am…Choke No Joke.

In addition to the movie screenings, there will be numerous opportunities to engage in discussions with industry experts, artists, activists, educators, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers. Speakers include: Pharaohe Monch, Henry Chalfant, M1, April Silver, Raquel Cepeda, AZie Faison, Samson, K’wan, QD3, Raqiyah Mays, Chris “Kazi” Rolle, Kim Osorio, Dream Hampton, and Lisa Cortes. Kamilah Forbes from the Hip-Hop Theater Festival will be moderating a panel on acting with an ensemble that includes: muMs (Arnold "Poet" Jackson on Oz), Anwan Glover (Slim Charles on HBO's The Wire), and Felicia Pearson (Snoop on HBO's The Wire). There will also be full days devoted to the youth, women, social justice, Hip-Hop history, and the craft of filmmaking, and self-distribution.

The festival concludes with the Odyssey Awards extravaganza hosted by Power 105’s Ed Lover and legendary Comedian, Paul Mooney. Sponsored by QD3 Entertainment, World Up! and Lyrics To Go. Some of this year’s honorees include the Crash Crew, Cold Crush, Public Enemy, Ralph McDaniel’s and Ernest Dickerson. An exclusive Pre-Odyssey filmmaker’s reception will be dedicated to the late Ted Demme, co-creator or Yo! MTV Raps and the director of Who’s The Man? Starring Ed Lover and Doctor Dre.



More Info: http://www.h2oiff.org/