WASHINGTON –  Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke, a 2019 Howard University Graduate School alumna of the master of fine arts in film program, is currently streaming her short film, Plantain and Proverbs on Amazon Prime until Monday, June 24. She was selected after submitting her work into an online film contest, the All Voices Film Festival, which is a digital short film festival celebrating underrepresented communities. The festival will showcase a series of films, including Dureke’s, using the theme “Short Films Celebrating Diversity.”

“Plantain and Proverbs” is a comedic drama, that follows four friends on the cusp of graduating from college. The four friends, all millennial, African descent, first-generation college students, struggle to adulthood in Washington, D.C. while still trying to follow the guidance of their African immigrant parents. The group attempts to navigate through the modern-day troubles of becoming adults as children of immigrants in America. It can be watched on Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SS73TMT 

Dureke was also awarded the Magnolia Pictures Fellowship developed by the Creative Mind Group, and had a chance to attend the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in France.

“Shortly after my return from France, I was [then] informed that my short student film, Plantain and Proverbs, that I produced as a student under my production company Dureke Production LLC, was selected! It’s exciting,” says Dureke, a budding Nigerian-American storyteller.

During her matriculation as a graduate student, Dureke spent her time working on her craft in preparation for opportunities where she will be able to showcase her work to the world.  

“Howard University is a safe space where our story has always been cultivated, nourished, and cherished. The Mecca, a place where there is no displacement of self!” says Dureke. “I think it is important that we tell our stories and see ourselves. This opportunity would not have been possible without Howard.”

Dureke was inspired to write the script after taking an advanced directing class with Time Warner Guest Professor Nefertite Nguvu.

Her cast and crew were entirely made up of people of color and her fellow Howard University film peers. She also included the artwork of her older sibling, Chidinma Dureke, in her film.

The trailer of the film can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/342022849

Watch it on Amazon Prime until June 24 here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SS73TMT 

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(Featured image: Howard University Alumna Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke in France at 2019 Cannes Film Festival - courtesy of Dureke. Image above: Cover of Howard University Alumna Chuckwunonso Angel Dureke's short film, "Plantain and Proverbs" - courtesy of Dureke.)

About the Master of Fine Arts in Film Program

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in the Department of Media, Journalism and Film in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University offers a sound, balanced study of film.  The program places primary emphasis on the rigorous study of all aspects of film production with attention to vital areas such as film history, the role of film in society, film theory, and film criticism.

It is the only graduate film program at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and, for more than 30 years, it has provided students with a foundation in film production and film theory from an international perspective. What distinguishes this MFA film program is its comprehensive coursework in film practice and global film studies along with an emphasis on independent filmmaking. Alumni of the MFA Film Program have become award-winning producers, directors, cinematographers, and screenwriters working in the United States and abroad. To learn more, visit: communications.howard.edu/concentrations/mfa-film/

About Howard University Graduate School

Howard University offered its first master’s degree in 1867—the same year it was established. In 1934, the Graduate School was formally established and reorganized to its current structure with divisions in the arts and humanities, biological and life sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and social sciences. The school awarded its first doctorate degree in 1958 in the field of chemistry. The school offers 24 master’s, 31 Ph.D. and 7 M.D./Ph.D. Programs. The Graduate School has consistently issued on average over 100 doctoral degrees per year for the last three years.  For more information, visit, www.gs.howard.edu 

 

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu