Greetings Venusian,

Welcome to my world!
In my July newsletter, I told you how excited I was that my first-ever animated short film “Lil’ Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood” was selected for the Hip Hop Film Festival in Harlem, New York. Well, I have some exciting news….

(🥁 🥁 🥁  Drumroll please!  🥁 🥁 🥁)

“Lil Red” Won a G.O.A.T. Award!
I’ve often described “Lil Red” as “a hip-hop twist on Little Red Riding Hood“, so imagine how amazing it was to win a Greatest Of All Time Award, also known as a “Hip Hop Oscar.”

 
Check out my G.O.A.T. Award acceptance speech!
I met some amazing creatives and met up with family and friends because of this opportunity. To all of you who were there in person or in spirit… thank you!

Bay Area Support MVFF
“Lil Red” has two final festivals in a whirlwind of a year. The final two selections include the 46th annual Mill Valley Film Festival from October 3-13. This festival is full of amazing films by incredible filmmakers, and “Lil Red” will screen at the following times:

  • October 4 at 10am in Smith Rafael Film Center #1, 1118 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901 (as part of the MVFF Education Program)
  • October 5 at 11am in Sequoia Cinema #2, 25 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941 (as part of the family-friendly “Saturday Morning Cartoons” series)
  • October 12 at 11am in Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA 94939

If you’re in the area and would like to attend, I may be able to get you a comp ticket. Please reply ASAP and let me know!

You can browse the full MVFF program at www.mvff.com. It’s an awesome lineup of powerful films.

NYC Please Support Reel Sisters!
When I first wrote my grant proposal for “Lil Red,” I dreamed of being selected for the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival. This is the first Academy Qualifying Festival for short narratives devoted to showcasing films produced, directed and written by women of color. So imagine my excitement ten days ago when “Lil Red” was selected for their upcoming festival. Truly a dream come true!

Lil Red will kick-off Section C (Family Friendly Shorts) on October 19 from 4:00pm – 4:55pm in the Spike Lee Screening Room, 1 University Plz, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Get your Reel Sisters Tickets here!
Even if you can’t attend my screening, please support Reel Sistersl! A full lineup is available on reelsisters.org.

Lil’ Red on Social Media!
Thanks to some of my top faithful followers (Stephen Jones, Mary Steele, Dana Arthur, Germaine Devine, and Christina Tallman) for being the first to follow Lil’ Red on social media. To encourage more content, please subscribe and tell a friend!
YouTube
YouTube
lilredmovie.com
lilredmovie.com
Instagram
Instagram
There’s no better way to show your support that than to become a patron on Patreon. Your financial pledge allows me to grow my team, reach a wider audience, and gives you access to exclusive content, an upcoming podcast, and discounts up to 50% off merch found at venusjones.com/store for a limited time.

Maybe you’ve seen snippets on social media. What’s new? Just for you… the full Hip Hop Film Festival interview!
Support me on Patreon!
Keep looking up and keep looking out.
When we do there’s a lot less fear and a lot less doubt.

Love Always…Venus