Journey Home Film Festival Opens Submissions for 2023

The Journey Home Film Festival is looking for quality Liberian films to showcase at the 2nd Annual Journey Home Film Festival from June 16 - 17.  

Held under the theme, Unifying Liberia through Film and Culture, the Journey Home Film Festival seeks to showcase Liberian narratives and the country’s film industry to national and international audiences.  

“The journey home festival is all about celebrating the power of storytelling and everything orbiting the art of filmmaking,” said Robell Hovers, creative writer and Liberian Film Awards and Festival organizer.  

Liberian film makers, directors, and producers interested in participating in this year’s film festival should submit their films to the Journey Home Film Festival at www.journeyhomefilmfest.com or journeyhomefestival@gmail.com by 30 April 2023.   

Film organizer, Den Tut Rayay, said that the requirements for film submission ensure the promotion of Liberian film producers, actors and actresses.  

“The films entered must feature Liberian actors and actresses. Seventy-five percent of the film must be shot in Liberia between the years 2022 and 2023.  The Films submitted will not only compete for honors at the Liberian Film Awards on June 17, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex. The cost to submit a film is L$$3,000,” he said.  

Rayay added that all entrants have a chance to win a professional camera and US$500 dollars for first place, US$250 for second place, and US$150 for third place.  

Moviegoers will have the opportunity to watch these movies from their vehicles during the Drive-IN along with comedy and music. Movie producer and festival organizer Dr. Clarice Ford-Kula said the films showcased at the drive-In represent the best in storytelling, as well as, creating an emotional connection to Liberian society.   

“These stories enable us to gain a deeper understanding of other’s experiences, values and key information that can inform our lives positively,” she said.   

The Journey Home Film Festival begins with a free filmmakers' workshop on June 16, at the Ministerial Complex. This free one-day event is for aspiring actors, directors, screenwriters, film producers, cinematographers, and others interested in or currently working in the industry.

Participants will gain insight into cinematography, directing, writing, and producing from some of the industry’s most respected film experts like Kulah, writer, and producer of the film, Providence, film Director Alexander Wiaplah, CEO of USH Productions, and other international filmmakers in collaboration with Razzouk Brothers Inc.  

Audiences in Liberia will have the chance to view a diverse range of feature-length and short films, documentaries, animations, and experimental works, created by talented Liberian filmmakers at the Journey Home Film Festival on June 17, at the Ministerial Complex. The program also features discussions, masterclasses, and films selected to compete at the Liberian Film Awards presented by the Journey Home Film Festival.  

“Liberian films awards will glamorously celebrate the best of the best in filmmaking in Liberia through a ceremony that recognizes excellence in a variety of categories as our commitment to support Liberian cinema,” said Hovers. 

The festival will celebrate the Best Picture, the Best Director, the Best Actor, the Best Actress, the Best Supporting Actor, the Best Supporting Actress, the Best Original Screenplay, the Best Adapted Screenplay, the Best Cinematography, the Best Editing, The Best Sound, the Best Original Score, the Best Visual Effects, the Best Production Design, The best Content Creator of the Year Male, the Content Creator of the Year Female, the Best Film in the Diaspora, Best Director in the Diaspora, and Best Actor and Actress in the Diaspora.

Interested parties can find more information on the film festival program or purchase tickets by visiting www.journeyhomefilmfest.com.

The Journey Home Film Festival is presented by the Journey Home Festival, the Year of the Diaspora and the Liberia Movie Union in partnership with Razzouk Brothers Inc, Ush Productions and Genesys Communications Consulting. 

The Journey Home Film Festival is an African American organization based in Liberia, dedicated to promoting Liberia and its rich cultural heritage.  The Mission of the Journey Home Festival is to encourage investment, promote tourism and showcase Liberia as the Jewel of Africa.