New York City will be the site of the fifth annual H2O [Hip Hop Odyssey] International Film Festival (H2OIFF). Spanning from May 28th to June 15th the main venue for the event will be the ImaginAsian Theatre with the much anticipated Odyssey Awards taking place at the BB Kings Club and Grill on Saturday June 16th. The awards will be hosted by Power 105’s (and former MTV Vee-jay) Ed Lover along with comedic legend Paul Mooney.
Throughout the three week period the H2OIFF will screen over 80 films from over 10 countries, there will also be 9 panel discussions on topics that will range from issues like social justice, spirituality, and the future of media distribution. The event will be kicked off by a special screening of Rock the Bells as well as an after-party hosted by Bobbito Garcia.
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.
Along with the screenings, there will be several panel discussions with industry experts, and different ranking members of the ever increasing Hip Hop community. Viewers will get the chance to sit in with speakers like: 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. Also, Kamilah Forbes from the Hip Hop Theater Festival will be attending to moderate a panel on acting with an ensemble. The panel will include muMs, Anwan Glover, and Felicia Pearson. Finally, there will also be full days devoted to the youth, women, social justice, Hip Hop history, filmmaking, and self-distribution.
For more info check out site here: H20 International
