Mixed Remixed Festival 2017
While wearing my filmmakers hat, I submitted a film to the Mixed Remixed Festival. I had to make a trip to Los Angeles and attend the festivities. Coming from the South, born in Montgomery AL. but raised in Columbus GA. LA was a bit of a culture shock to me. My trip kept me mostly in the downtown area but when I say its different I mostly mean the Mexican influence. And it was awesome, my friend Ashton and I walked throughout the historic LA Flower District, where she purchased a beautiful pair of sunflowers and we also ate at Poppy + Rose. Being so excited about being in LA we really tried to cram a lot of activities in a short amount of time but Saturday was strictly dedicated for our reason for being there the Mixed Remixed Festival held at the world famous LA Theatre Center.
For the last 18 months I've been corresponding with the founder of the Mixed Remixed Festival Heidi Durrow. I missed the festival last year but I was determined to make it this year. I must say I was totally surprised when I walked through the doors, I was instantly recognized by Mrs Durrow and I can honestly say it warmed my heart. She told me my film The Other Race had an interesting perspective by it being filmed in the South where biracial or mixed people are more common than a lot of people may think. She also told me about a trip she made to the south where she was warned about racist people and told to stay in a certain area. Now this what makes her story so important when it comes to perspective. On my way to LA, the lady sitting on the plane to me, surprisingly had just left my hometown of Columbus GA. and she was shocked to see pick up trucks riding around with Confederate Battle Flag tags and shotguns in the window. Per our conversation I could tell that the women, which was hispanic, was really disturbed, scared and maybe even angry by seeing this type of thing. She actually took pictures of vehicles and showed them to me. I was like, ma'am I've seen that all my life and I guess I'm numb to the fact. Now back to Mrs. Durrow's experience in the South it brings in the question of perspective and programming. Bare with me and I'll be brief. I've never been to LA and my perspective was to see gangbangers and police everywhere. And that was not the case just as the South being threatened by gun toting white supremacists isn't either. We all know they both are there but clearly not the majority.
Ok back on the Mixed Remixed Festival (I hope your still with me) I saw so many wonderful people. Everyone was so friendly and nice. I was able to catch two of the seminars, The Mixed Race Conversation: Is It A Wrap? and the Storyteller's Prize And Live Event. Where the festival honored Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor/producer David Oyelowo. Comedian Tehran hosted this segment and we were given an extraordinary performance by the extremely talented Kayla Briet, the comedy duo Joe & Joshua had everyone laughing with their unique skit on race from a biracial perspective. It was a powerful piece of art. Last but not least, the talk show host/comedienne Sunda Croonquist. Her style and approach with her act reminded me of Whoopi Goldberg and the way she changed charcters and accents really had me tuned into her entire show.
In finishing, I really enjoyed the Mixed Remixed Festival. I would tell people who are mixed that this festival is a must visit if you're able. You'll be surrounded by people who really understand your trials and tribulations when it comes to race. Everyone is welcome and it would be a good experience for anyone who wants to make the world, we live in a better place, in peace and racial harmony.
