A Conversation With Award-Winning Filmmaker
Franscesca Andre
Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Francesca Andre is known for creating rich and opulent work, tackling the complexities of life. Through a beautiful lens she invites you to a world of color, full of passion and triumph.
Her award winning short film, Charcoal, captures the stories of two black women, as they embark on a lifelong journey to overcome internalized colorism, find self-acceptance, and ultimately redemption.
During our conversation on this edition of Reel Moments, Francesca spoke about her evolution from still photography to cinematography to directing films. “I am a storyteller and stories that I wanted to tell – I couldn’t use that medium to tell them, so gradually I transitioned into film.”
When asked why she decided to make this film, she reflected on her childhood experience and a particular instance when she brought a doll home from school during the Christmas holiday season which the adults in her community labelled as ugly.
Even though she initially loved and was excited about the doll, she put the doll aside and never played with it again because it was deemed unworthy. It was unworthy because the doll had a dark skin complexion.
As an adult, Francesca realized how she and other children picked up cues from society that identify beauty based on skin color and hair texture.
“I wanted to tell the story that I didn’t see in mainstream media and wanted make sure my first short film would have an impact and say something,” she said
And what an impact it has had. Charcoal has been screened at several US and International film festivals and reviewed by The New York Daily News, Essence Magazine,Think Progress, Shadow and ACT, the Daily Voice, Ebony Magazine and Connecticut Post to name a few.
In 2018, Francesca Andre made the 40 under 40 list of high achievers by Connecticut Magazine.
You can see her fabulous photography and schedule of upcoming screenings on her website here.
You can watch the trailer of her film, Charcoal here
