‘Key’ Wins Top Cinema Society Honor

Director Adisa and writer Avery O. Williams’ 24-minute “Notes in a Minor Key,” took the first prize of $3,000 in the Black American Cinema Society’s 12th annual African American independent filmmakers’ competition.

It’s an evocative and powerful vignette in which a grandfather (Keith David), once a jazz musician on the cusp of fame, reveals a terrible secret to his grandson. Judging was held last Saturday at Eastman Kodak in Hollywood. Previous winners include “Daughters of the Dust” director Julie Dash, actress-filmmaker Saundra Sharp and the Hudlin Brothers.

The $2,000 second prize went to Angela de Joseph’s poignant 20-minute “It’s in the Bag,” an ironic fable in which a near-mute homeless woman ( Iona Morris) presents a valid coupon for a free make-over at a posh Beverly Hills beauty salon. The third prize, worth $1,000, was awarded to Cal Ward Jr.’s audacious 20-minute “The Rally,” a contemporary satire skewering racism and expressed in a homage to Mack Sennett comedies.

Three honorable mentions of $250 were awarded to VernAnthony Pringle’s 15-minute “Men, Myths and Dogs,” Craig Ross Jr.’s “The 22nd Floor” and Damon Lee’s “Ballad of Sacrifice.”

Awards will be presented April 7 at 8 p.m. at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, 4401 W. 8th St.