Black Joy Event at the Watershed
As part of Black History Month this year, Fairfield High School worked in collaboration with ‘We Are Parable’ at The Watershed to showcase three short films to 100 students across five different Bristol Schools. These films focused on exploring intersectional issues regarding race, ableism, and homophobia.
Fairfield’s amazing Miss Cashan Campbell hosted the event and after the screenings she mediated a conversation with two of the directors – Mena Fombo and Ngaio Aniya. During this conversation, students had to opportunity to participate in a Q&A where they explored, in depth, themes established in the documentaries.
During this time, Mena and Ngaio answered questions about how to best find your place in the film industry as a Black and/or LGBTQ+ creator in a space dominated by people who do not share your heritage or background and the importance of seeing yourself being represented on the screen. They explored ways in which each of them is helping to break the gatekeeping they have faced in their work. For example, by working with ‘We Are Parable’ they have the chance show young black people that they can be creators and that their stories are worth examining.
When asked how the directors “actually fight racism in real life”, Ngaio recounted her experience of finding joy though creative endeavours at an early age when things were difficult during her time at school. She also explained the importance of finding an encouraging community to help you through these times and to talk to those around you for help – “a problem shared is a problem halved’.
In addition, students asked about how to find the right subjects for their documentaries to which Mena and Ngaio stressed the importance of finding something they really want to talk about and explore, to think about who the piece is for and finding what you are most passionate about whether that is fighting for big social issues, showcasing stories or anything in-between.
Thank you to Mena Fombo and Ngaio Aniya, everyone at We Are Parable and The Watershed for making the event a huge success.
To find out more about We Are Parable:
You can watch these short films here:
Tegan: Dreams of The Paralympics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZbGNxUWOY8
Twinkleberry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHjm4KIYmsA&t=66s
The Glorious Ones (not available online)
