We Speak Filmmakers

BLACK WOMEN FILM NETWORK ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR THE 2023 BWFN SUMMIT

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2023

Gina Prince-Bythewood, Danielle Deadwyler, Tabitha Brown are among this year’s roster of industry leaders to be celebrated.

Register today at blackwomenfilm.org

Black Women Film Network (BWFN), celebrating 26 years of preserving the voices of Black women in film and television, is announcing its 2023 class of honorees who will be recognized during an in-person awards luncheon at the annual BWFN Summit – powered by Cvent – on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 8AM – 5PM at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta, GA. Registration is now open at blackwomenfilm.org.

This year’s honorees are:

Gina Prince-Bythewood (Award-Winning Director/Writer/Producer – “The Woman King,” “Love & Basketball”) – RainmakHER Award * who will be accepting the award virtually

Danielle Deadwyler (Actress – “Till,” “From Scratch”) – Black Woman Rising Award

Tabitha Brown (Actress, Author, Social Media Personality) – InfluenceHER Award

Cas Sigers-Beedles (Writer, Director, Producer – “Scheme Queens,” “Unthinkably Good Things”) – StorytellHER Award

Tammy Williams (Owner, Cinema South Studios and CS145 LED Production Facility) – TrailblazHER Award

Latasha Gillespie (Executive Head of Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility for Amazon Studios, Prime Video and IMDb) – Beacon Award

The Summit’s theme is “Her Mic is On: Black Women Owning the Moment,” a tribute to the many high-profile moments of powerful speeches and words of wisdom that Black women have given to the world in recent years.

Launched during Women’s History Month, the BWFN Summit, now in its 8th year, returns to Atlanta as an in-person experience and will feature a full day of expert speakers, panels, master classes, fireside chats, and the awards luncheon where, in addition to highlighting our honorees, we will announce the recipients of our BWFN Scholarship.

“We are thrilled to have yet another opportunity to produce the BWFN Summit, thanks to the support of Cvent,” says BWFN Board Chair Saptosa Foster. “In recent years, we’ve witnessed iconic remarks from women like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lizzo, Viola Davis, Michelle Obama and countless others. Those moments are part of a rich tradition of wisdom that is the magic of Black women, and we wanted to honor that uniqueness with this year’s Summit theme. Furthermore, there aren’t many places you can go in the film and television industry to network, gain knowledge, and access resources all in one space that is created specifically for Black women. The Summit is that space, and we are fortunate to be able to bring it back to Atlanta in person.”

“Twenty-six years ago, my Georgia State University film teacher told me the world needed to hear stories told by Black women,” says Sheryl Gripper, who founded BWFN in 1997 in Atlanta. “He asked what I was going to do about it. With the help of a visionary group of women, I formed the Black Women Film Network. That vision continues today with the leadership of our Board Chair Saptosa Foster.”

To register for the BWFN Summit, visit blackwomenfilm.org. [Early bird registration discount lasts until March 20!]

About Black Women Film Network

Established in 1997, the Black Women Film Network (BWFN) was founded to prepare black women to enter the film and television industries. The organization seeks to preserve the voice of these women through film and educational programs that empower and inform. A 501(c)3 non-profit, BWFN provides student scholarships, hosts screenings and workshops, and honors individuals who have excelled in this difficult industry. Visit BWFN online at blackwomenfilm.org. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Malhar Talwalkar Releases Award-Winning Short Film Pink Trees, Exploring Addiction, Recovery and Survival in Los Angeles

Published

2 weeks ago

September 7, 2026

Olivia Long

Director and cinematographer Malhar Talwalkar presents Pink Trees, a compelling short film that takes an intimate and unflinching look at addiction, recovery, poverty, and survival in Los Angeles. Through the story of a recovering addict struggling to stay clean while living in a temporary housing motel, Talwalkar explores the difficult realities faced by individuals attempting to rebuild their lives in challenging circumstances.

Pink Trees follows Matthew “Job” Smith, a recovering addict battling for survival while living in a temporary housing motel surrounded by the harsh realities of urban poverty and crime. His journey reflects the instability and uncertainty that can accompany addiction recovery, particularly when individuals are attempting to overcome substance abuse without the security of stable housing and a supportive environment.

Rather than portraying recovery as a straightforward journey, Pink Trees examines the complicated circumstances that can influence an individual’s ability to remain sober. The film asks important questions about personal responsibility, environment, social institutions, and the systems that surround people struggling with addiction.

“With this film I tried to tackle the shaky and uncertain road of addiction recovery,” says Talwalkar. “My personal history with substance abuse and addiction made me keen to analyze how various individuals, based on their circumstances, deal with addiction and recovery and how much role institutions play in one’s goal to stay clean.”

Talwalkar’s personal connection to the subject matter brings an added layer of authenticity to Pink Trees. Instead of reducing addiction to a single cause or experience, the film considers the different circumstances that can shape an individual’s recovery and the challenges that can make staying clean an ongoing battle.

The short film has already earned recognition across the independent film festival circuit, receiving awards and honors from Indie Short Fest, Indie X Film Fest, LA Indies, New York International Film Awards™ (NYIFA), San Diego Movie Awards, Chicago Shorts, Latitude Film Awards, Independent Shorts Awards International Film Festival, Hollywood International Indie Film & Screenplay Awards, and Los Angeles Film Awards.

These accolades highlight the film’s growing impact within the independent filmmaking community and its ability to connect with festival audiences and industry professionals through its emotionally grounded storytelling.

At the center of Pink Trees is a question that extends beyond addiction itself: What does it really take for someone to stay clean when the circumstances around them make recovery so difficult? By placing Matthew “Job” Smith within an environment shaped by poverty, crime, and instability, Talwalkar invites audiences to look beyond stereotypes and consider the human and institutional factors that influence recovery.

Talwalkar is a Director and Cinematographer who graduated in the MFA Filmmaking Program at the New York Film Academy in Burbank, California. His work reflects a passion for telling meaningful stories that explore complex human experiences and socially relevant issues.

With Pink Trees, Talwalkar delivers more than a story about addiction. He creates a portrait of a person fighting to survive, recover, and find a path forward in an environment where simply staying clean can become a daily struggle.