I was glad to see Gentleman Jack bring their popular “Real to Reel” event back, but said that once again, Real to Reel spokesman Omari Hardwick didn’t visit our market. St. Louis still got a taste of what our city is producing on the cinema side when the national competition that gives emerging black filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work came to Delmar Hall Thursday night. Hot 104.1 FM’s Princess Stormm hosted the festivities and looked super cute in her little black dress. The evening featured a handful of short films – three of them made by St. Louis natives. I’m thrilled to report that St. Louis native Damien D. Smith’s film “Daddy’s Big Girl” won Real to Reel’s top prize for 2018. That’s right y’all, best in the country for 2018. He was presented with his award (along with a nice-sized check) at this year’s American Black Film Festival in Miami. Fellow St. Louis native Reesha Archibald was a producer for the film. Those who stopped by Real to Reel got a chance to see the film – and hear Damien and fellow filmmaker David Kirkman discuss their journey in filmmaking. Kirkman was named the local Real to Reel winner for his sizzle reel for his soon to be finished film “Static.”
