NEWSLETTER | OCTFME Xclusive January 2018

The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment

Gospel artists Pastor Jason Nelson, Capria McClearn, Jeremiah Hicks, JJ Hairston, Whitney Jackson, and Isaiah D. Thomas at the taping of "Celebrating Black History" at the OCTFME Studios.


	Director Angie M. Gates with WHUR Producer Candice Adkins

February is Black History Month - a time to recognize and reflect on the achievements of the African-American community.

This month, the DC Entertainment Office is proud to present its "Celebrating Black History: Faith, Struggle, Strength, Song" television series on DCN, DKN and DC Radio.

I also had the pleasure of teaming up with our long-time partners at Howard University's WHUR 96.3 FM to record a radio tribute to actress, model and activist Cicely Tyson.

The DC Entertainment Office is a proud supporter of the feature film "Couples' Night" that premiered this month on the Urban Movie Channel, the first streaming service targeting African-American audiences. The film was shot in popular District locales, including Logan Circle and the U Street Corridor, with DC residents representing nearly half of the production crew.

During this month of reflection, the DC Entertainment Office is proud to celebrate all of the achievements of the District's African-American community.

Angie M. Gates

Director

DC Office of Cable Television, Film Music and Entertainment

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Launching February 2018 "Celebrating Black History" will air on DCN and DKN through Black Music Month in June

Celebrating Black History

T he DC Entertainment Office is proud to announce the launch of "Celebrating Black History," an original programming series that highlights profoundly important contributions of African-American leaders. This special is a program mix of oratory and music performances that underscore milestones in DC and U.S. Black History. Narrated by Grammy-nominated JJ Hairston, this series will feature some of the most exciting names in gospel music. Their performances provide a dynamic backdrop to the stories of the people and events, many of them rooted in DC history, that have helped define the black experience in America. Stay tuned to DCN , DKN and DC Radio for more from this series.


"Couples' Night", an awardee of the DC Film, Television and Entertainment Rebate Fund is now available on Urban Movie Channel streaming service.

#FilmedInDC

The DC Entertainment Office congratulates the District Film Group and the cast of "Couples' Night" on the movie's premiere on Urban Movie Channel (UMC), a streaming service targeted to African-American and urban audiences. "Couples' Night" is a romantic comedy film about a couple that moves from the Midwest to Washington, DC and experiences a bumpy transition into their new lives. Directed by Mark Harris ("No Regrets," "Black Coffee"), the film stars Charles Malik Whitfield (Fox's "Empire," OWN's "If Loving You is Wrong"), Reagan Gomez-Preston (OWN's "Queen Sugar") and Tony Rock (Host of HBO's "All Def Comedy"). The film highlights the various landscapes of Washington, DC.


Director Gates recording a Black History Tribute to Cicely Tyson for WHUR 96.3 FM

Black History Tributes

WHUR 96.3 FM News produced a series of special Black History Month promos, where DC news-makers recorded brief biographies and tributes to famous African-American history-makers. Director Gates recorded a tribute to Emmy-winning actress and fashion icon Cicely Tyson at the WHUR 96.3 FM studios. Best known for playing strong African-American women on screen and stage, Tyson is the recipient of three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award and one Tony Award. This special promo series will air several times a day, each day, during Black History Month on WHUR 96.3 FM and DC Radio 96.3HD4


February 2018 Filmmaker of the Month Gabriella Garcia-Pardo

Filmmaker of the Month

The DC Entertainment Office is pleased to recognize Gabriella Garcia-Pardo as the February 2018 Filmmaker of the Month. Garcia-Prado, a Ward 5 resident, is a freelance commentary filmmaker and visual journalist who focuses on social issues, innovation, artists, and especially women's voices. Garcia-Pardo's latest work, "Gunpowder Women," is a short-form documentary that showcases the extraordinary talents of an all-female mounted horseback team in Morocco. The film explores the evolving role of women set in the context of a male-dominated sport and is currently in mid-production.


February 2018 Location of the Month Zeke's Coffee DC

Location of the Month

The DC Entertainment Office recognizes Zeke's Coffee DC, situated in the Woodbridge neighborhood of Ward 5, as the February 2018 Location of the Month. The shop was recently chosen as one of the filming locations for the George Pelecanos independent crime feature film, "DC Noir."

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