ABFF Director Letia Solomon Champions Underrepresented Voices Through Filmmaking
“There’s a rich, complex history and relationship between the hip-hop and LGTBQIA+ communities that cannot be solved with just one film.”
From hundreds of submissions, five short films were selected to screen at the 23rd annual HBO Short Film Competition at this year’s American Black Film Festival. The festival will be hosted on ABFF.com from August 21–30, with more than 100,000 virtual attendees from around the globe anticipated to attend. As part of this year’s Short Film Competition, emerging writers and directors presented narratives that ranged from gut-wrenching tragedies to subversive comedies and a journey into self-exploration.
Letia Solomon is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who is a champion for underrepresented voices and hopes to inspire the next generation of artists. Below, Letia explains how her personal experiences helped create The Cypher.
Why did you decide to submit your film to ABFF’s HBO Short Film Competition?
ABFF and its long-standing HBO Competition have featured so many outstanding films in the past, It was always one of my top goals as a filmmaker to apply. The entire team is thrilled and we are honored for The Cypher to be featured in the 2020 HBO Competition!
What inspired you to transition from your career as an engineer into filmmaking?
It took about four years of soul searching and trial and error to figure it all out. The turning point was in 2015 when one of my previous films really resonated with this 14-year-old girl at a film festival. The film focused on a young Black teen competing in a robotics competition to gain scholarship money for college. She came up to me afterwards and said she saw herself in my character and plans to be the first person in her family to go to college. I often volunteered with the youth programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), but none of it moved me in the same way as hearing this young girl commit to her dreams after watching my film. She solidified my “why” and confirmed that my perspective on storytelling matters. I also realized that project management and problem solving fit perfectly well in filmmaking since we’re constantly solving problems. Whether it’s on set, story development, or in post-production, these critical thinking skills are transferable and will enhance the final project.
Do you feel that your experiences working in a different industry prior to entertainment gives you a unique filmmaking perspective? How so?
Absolutely! Working in Aerospace as an African American female engineer provided privileges and setbacks that were crucial in adapting to film. I gained access as being the only Black woman in the room but I also had to work twice as hard to be heard and gain the same amount of respect. The same thing occurred while studying Chemical Engineering in undergrad at a predominantly white institute, therefore the work ethic was cultivated well before film. I’ve also had wonderful women mentors that have experienced love, life, and loss while still showing up as incredible managers, executive leadership, and senior-level engineers. Working in a different industry taught me leadership, project management, patience and communication skills. The passion and drive for storytelling was always there, however film school provided the technical and creative tools to help bring these stories to life.
What inspired you to direct this story?
I was drawn to direct due to my love for hip-hop, the vivid landscape Wes created and my desire to champion this young man’s journey of self-acceptance. As an African American woman, I know what it feels like to be marginalized and felt that I had a strong perspective in showcasing our male counterparts. I also have friends and a dear family member that has gone through a similar experience and knew it was time to share this nuanced story on screen.
How has being a member of the LGBTQIA+ hip-hop community changed over the last several years? Is there still the same stigma?
The diverse representation of male and female emcees has definitely progressed over the years, however the change is slower for mainstream hip-hop. We can count with our fingers the numbers of mainstream queer rap artists that are widely popular with a large following. With respect to battle rap, the numbers get smaller due to the hyper-masculine or aggressive nature of the environment. Battle rap is a platform for real, raw lyricists to use anything they have to win. There’s a rich, complex history and relationship between the hip-hop and LGTBQIA+ communities that cannot be solved with just one film. However, we hope to encourage respectful discussions about this intersectionality and challenge the representations of hip hop artists moving forward.
What is your favorite hip-hop album of all time? Why?
It’s a tie between Outkast’s Aquemini and DMX’s And Then There Was X. These albums came out in the late 90s when I lived in the South and always brought back fond memories of my childhood.
What advice would you give aspiring filmmakers trying to break into the film industry?
My advice would be to keep practicing your craft as much as you can. If you want to be a writer, then write. If you want to direct, then pick up a camera and start making movies. No matter how rough your first drafts may be, it’s okay. Filmmaking is a process and it takes time to get it right. Also, more importantly: know why you’re making films. Your purpose will drive you forward and keep you going when things get tough.
