Ms Chenzira, the founder and head of Red Carnelian, a New York based production and home video distribution company, is also Chair of the Department of Communications Film and Video Unit at City College NY and a consultant to M-Net Television in South Africa where she assists in the development of African filmmakers.

One of the first African American female animators, Ms Chenzira has also written, produced and directed a because white-run film companies a competing for their attention. Byron Lewis added "we can still have contr over our own markets. don't worry about crossover. If you dilute your thing you'll be doing yourselves a disservice." Robert Johnson commented that 1f blacks want to make films that are true to their experience, they have to control the financing. No one will let you tell your story on film unless you own the company. You have to contro the financial end.." Judy Ferguson drama feature Almas Rainbow, which was shown at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. (see your last issue of bfm)

In recognition of heroutstanding contributions to Black cinema, BCC screened some of her short films; Hair Piece: A Film for Nappy Headed People, an animated satire that looks at black women and hair; In the Rivers of Angst, where mischievous and well-meaning spirits struggle for the soul of a woman who is dying from anger; Pull Your Head to the Moon, which makes connections between a young man's mortal loss and experiences of his Creole grandmother; and MOTV (My Own TV), an ironic and powerful love story between a no-nonsense African American woman and her Jamaican immigrant husband whose fantasies about American life end in tragedy.

Ayoka Chenzira is currently working on Air Pie and Breeze Cake, a feature film about the search for the American dream - Jamaican style.

Ayoka Chenzira's short films are available for sale ancl hire from Cinenova, the London - based women's film distribution company.

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