The African American Women in Cinema will screen two relevant and compelling films that highlight the role women have played in the longevity, trends and artistry of Hip Hop. These films open the door to an honest look at the mindset, challenges, and triumphs women have faced from the early days to the present.

With candid interviews with women pioneer hip hop artists Lady B, Schoolly D, Rennie Harris, Bahamadia and Ursula Rucker, as well as emerging hip hop talents such as Versus, Keen of Subliminal Orphans and Michele Byrd-McPhee of Montazh, intercut with scholars, critics and local promoters, these films will educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of female hip hop artist.

The AAWIC International Film Festival is proud to welcome and screen the "Women in Hip Hop Series - Program II". "If we are going to highlight what women do in this society to make it better, we would be remiss to neglect our contributions to a music genre that touches every society and culture in the world", says festival founder, Terra Renee.

"She Rhymes Like a Girl", is Toni Blackman and the FreeStyle Union's open and candid entry into the world of hip hop. The film's goal is to empower women to speak their minds in freestyle workshops. This music video/documentary hopes to promote a movement of female MCs. Encouraging women to stand before a mike and speak their truths, share their ideas, thoughts and feelings with the world as their male counterparts do. This film is a part of the Call for Change Series.

Screening Program 2: Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 2:00pm: George Faison Fire House Theatre- 6 Hancock Place, (124th & Morningside) Harlem, NY

Maori Karmael Holmes'' "Scene Not Heard" introduces you to the hip hop movement straight out of Philadelphia. Explaining how Philadelphia artists have made major contributions as emcees, graffiti artists, dancers, and especially as deejays. But somehow Philly has not gotten the kind of props that other cities have, despite its unique proliferation of women emcees, vocalists, poets and deejays. "Scene Not Heard" tells the story of these women, these legends as they struggle to succeed in a male-dominated industry.

Screening Program 2: Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 2:10pm: George Faison Fire House Theatre- 6 Hancock Place, (124th & Morningside) Harlem, NY

The AAWIC Film Festival will also pay honor and screen films by women filmmakers of American, African, Latin and Asian descent, to give them an opportunity to share their cinematic vision with the world and encourage and educate all filmmakers on the contribution of women in films as directors, writers, producers and actresses. On November 15th the AAWIC/SAC Pioneer Award. Award will be given to honorees; Tamar Tunie (Devil's Advocate, Law & Order), Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (How Stella Got her Groove Back, Linc's) Patience Ozokwo-Mama G (Authority, Sins of the Father, Apology) and Ini Edo (Worlds Apart, Beautiful Faces, Faces of Beauty).

Please visit www.aawic.org for event schedule including opening night, red carpet screening and closing night award ceremony.

About African Women In Cinema

African American Women In Cinema is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support minority women filmmakers by providing resources in the film industry. Incorporated by the Organization's President, Terra Renee, in 2000, the objective of AAWIC is to improve cultural understanding and overall social welfare through the promotion of diversity in all filmed content in both dramatic and documentary formats.

AAWIC 11th Annual International Film Festival is partnered with the Save Africa Concerts Foundation.

Save Africa

www.saicaids.org

For More Information on the Festival or for schedule & ticket information:

www.aawic.org