In advance of BFF’s 2020 Online Festival, we will be sharing exclusive interviews with this year’s filmmakers. Get to know their films, their inspirations, and their advice to fellow emerging filmmakers. Check out our interview with Alicia K. Harris, director of PICK.
Alicia K. Harris is CSA-winning filmmaker from Scarborough. She graduated from Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts, where her thesis film won Best Director and Best Production. Her films have been broadcast on CBC, TVO, and at numerous festivals. Alicia is dedicated to sharing the unique stories of Black women.
Congratulations on your 2020 BFF film selection! Can you tell us a bit about your film?
PICK is a short film about a young girl who has to deal with microaggressions on picture day, after wearing her natural hair. It explores the effects of microagressions and systemic racism on youth, and exposes the discrimination Black women face when we wear our natural hair. It’s inspired by my own experiences, growing up with an afro, and being made to feel like I had to have straight hair to be considered beautiful.
Could you tell us more about the visual style of the film, and share some of your inspirations?
The film has a very deliberate visual style -- not showing the lead character’s face until the final moment of the film. I wanted to do this to force the audience to empathize with her, and figure out how she feels, since they will not see her facial expressions and reactions. When we experience microaggressions, even though they seem “small,” they have a huge impact. That impact is not always written on our face, but that doesn't mean that it didn't hurt us.
Still from PICK
What’s the core message that you wanted to convey to your audience through this film?
More now than ever, with the current news cycle being about Black Lives Matter, I want people to understand that Black people face racism every day (and none of what is in the news now, is new). I want the aggressors to understand that what they think is an innocent comment, or question, is ignorant. I want people to be outraged at all levels of racism, not just when Black people get murdered. I want people to understand that what’s even more valuable than sharing on social media, is standing up for Black people in these uncomfortable moments. When a “small” racist action happens, this is where we need our allies to use their voice. Because most of us are pretty tired of fighting this fight on our own. Racism is not a Black issue, and it’s not up to us to fix it.
Still from PICK
What’s next for you?
I’m making a trilogy about Black hair & identity, and I’m currently working part 2, which is called on a Sunday at Eleven. It’s a blatant celebration of Blackness, our hair as art, and the sisterhood between Black women which transcends the physical world.
What advice would you give to an emerging filmmaker just starting out?
Be yourself. Tell the stories that only you can tell. And especially for marginalized creators -- it’s ok if there’s another film that’s about {insert marginalized experience here}. Yours will be different and from your point of view. Don’t tie your success up in any festival acceptance or rejection. If you are proud of your film, then you did it and will continue to do IT. Every film is a learning experience, and you will grow and improve with every film. Take time to enjoy your rise -- yes dream about the next big thing you will do, but appreciate where you are!
Catch PICK as part of BFF’s 2020 Online Festival, screening in the Shorts Program In The Family, with a special live-streamed Q&A with Alicia on Friday June 26th at 8pm EST. Join us June 25 - 28, 2020 for screenings, virtual Q&As, panel discussions and more! Get Tickets Today.