Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre is a production, performance
and distribution unit, which was initiated and developed and is produced and
directed by Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith and Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith,
both experienced artists and cultural managers from the U.S.A.
Fountainhead® engages people from various national, cultural, ethnic,
socio-economic, religious backgrounds, and sexual identities, and works in a
variety of artistic and cultural disciplines, with the goal of creating,
experiencing and communicating intercultural exchange within its projects
and the world community.
Upon founding in 1980, Berlin/Germany, Fountainhead® has presented a variety
of international, intercultural and interdisciplinary productions in the
areas of dance, theatre, film festivals, television programming, film
distribution, publications, seminars, exhibitions, workshops and musical
presentations.
One of the productions is the annually presented Black International
Cinema Berlin, which was founded by Fountainhead® in 1986 in
Berlin/Germany and since then, has been produced on a regular basis in
Berlin/Germany and other European and US-American cities.
Additionally, Fountainhead® produces and directs, upon founding in 1995, the
weekly intercultural television magazine program THE COLLEGIUM –
Forum & Television Program Berlin, broadcast Thursdays and
Saturdays from 9-10 a.m. and Mondays from 1-2 a.m. at Alex - Open Channel
Berlin, and furthermore is televised in Magdeburg, Wolfsburg, Dessau and
additional cities.
Furthermore, Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre, under the curation of Prof. Donald
Muldrow Griffith, produces and directs the photographic exhibition and
visual documentation "Footprints in the Sand?" Exhibition,
which presents a picture of the activities of various people during their
historical contributions to Berlin, elsewhere and hence, the portrait seeks
to prevent these undertakings from becoming "Footprints in the Sand?".
In 1990 Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre established Cultural Zephyr e.V.
as a not for profit organization, which administers the cultural and
artistic undertakings of Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre.
Black International Cinema Berlin
Black International Cinema Berlin is a yearly interdisciplinary,
intercultural film/video festival produced and directed by Fountainhead®
Tanz Théâtre / THE COLLEGIUM - Forum & Television Program Berlin in
association with Cultural Zephyr e.V. and, screens cinema from Africa, the
African Diaspora and films from varied intercultural backgrounds or
perspectives.
Black International Cinema Berlin originated from the historical Black Cultural
Festival, which was produced and directed by Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre in
1986 for the first time in Europe, a 3-week event in Berlin, which presented
the contributions of Black people to world culture through film, theater,
dance, music, workshops and seminars, and was an homage to the legendary tap
dancer, Carnell Lyons.
The venues were the Theatermanufaktur am Halleschen Ufer from March 3-16,
music – dance – theatre; Hochschule der Künste Berlin on March 11,
symposium; Kino Arsenal from March 17-23, film.
Organization and Artistic Direction: Prof. Gayle McKinney Griffith
(USA/Berlin), Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith (USA/Berlin), Donald Muldrow
McKinney Griffith II (USA/Berlin), Dr. Ntongela Masilela (South Africa); in
cooperation with: Prof. Dr. Abdul Alkalimat (USA), Uazuvara Ewald Katjivena
(Namibia), Getinet Belay (Ethiopia), Joliba Africa Center; Organization:
Erika Gregor (Arsenal Cinema, Germany); Organization Assistance: Annette
Koschmieder (Germany)
Since then, Fountainhead® Tanz Théâtre produces and directs the Black
International Cinema Berlin each year in Berlin and additionally, in other European
and US-American cities.
The festival focuses on presenting works of an artistic, cultural or
political nature coinciding with the general educational, social, artistic
and economic interest of people from Africa, the African Diaspora and people
with an interest in participating in intercultural communication and the
resultant interfacing and sharing of educational, social, artistic and
economic resources.
Furthermore, Black International Cinema Berlin is open to ALL
filmmakers and contributes to better understanding and increasing
cooperation between people from various cultural, ethnic, national and
religious backgrounds, in order to reduce prejudices and support a peaceful
and respectful living together in our multi-faceted society.
