How I Got My Indie Film into ESSENCE Fest | Safia Bartholomew on the Hustle & Grow Show S2, Ep. 1

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What's the secret to getting your indie film into major festivals like ESSENCE and the American Black Film Festival? In the first episode of our second season, Marcel chats with Safia Bartholomew, a Toronto-based filmmaker, entrepreneur, and ghostwriter whose film Wallflower has gained praise for its authentic portrayal of Black lives.

Safia breaks down her journey from being an introverted writer to becoming a visionary filmmaker championing Black stories on the big screen. She shares how authenticity in storytelling—from personal narratives to embracing vulnerability—can create powerful connections behind and in front of the camera.

Discover all of Safia's tips for navigating the film industry, from securing festival spots to why you don't necessarily need to move to Hollywood to make it. Whether you're a filmmaker or entrepreneur, you'll gain valuable insights on building your portfolio, pitching projects, and leveraging your unique voice to stand out in cutthroat industries.

What's the one story you've always wanted to share with the world? Drop them in the comments below!

0:00: Teaser
0:31: Intro
1:05: How Safia got into filmmaking
3:38: Getting Wallflower into Essence
5:55: Is Hollywood the main dream for filmmakers?
6:48: Brokering deals with smaller streaming services
8:12: The demand for quality content
8:55: Challenges as a Black filmmaker
11:17: Diving into ghostwriting
16:28: Adapting a book into a film
20:18: Do you need Hollywood to make it big?
21:55: Advice for the new generation
24:50: Where to find Safia

Episode Resources:

Safia Bartholomew:
safiabartholomew.com
Instagram:   / safiabartholomew  

Wallflower (2023):
Available on Tubi
Instagram:   / wallflowertheseries  

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💎 About the Hustle & Grow Show:

I'm Marcel Clarke, and welcome to the Hustle & Grow Show. Born and raised in the DC area, my story is a shining example of how you can never be behind in life. I'm a serial entrepreneur who believes that courage and consistency are the keys to my success—and they could be yours, too.

From in-depth interviews and how-to guides to success stories and analysis of trends throughout the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia), I created this show to equip you with what you need to maximize your business's potential.

I post new episodes every Thursday. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a moment.
If hustling is in your DNA, then ride with me and watch us grow! Talk soon.

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