Morris Chestnut and Dave Brown talk Indie Night Film Festival

The Film Festival started as a weekly event in Hollywood, California, and is now taking its talents on the road, with Atlanta being its first stop.

Founded by entrepreneur and film industry veteran Dave Brown, the Indie Night Film Festival is more than just a place to catch new films. The event is a platform to elevate artists’ craft while allowing them to showcase their efforts and network with other new and established filmmakers, producers, writers, and some of Hollywood’s most well-known actors.

Brown, also the manager for Jamie Foxx and Morris Chestnut, has decided to take the festival on the road to create what he calls the “American Idol” for films.

DeTourXP was on-site at the historic Plaza Theatre in Atlanta for the festival’s inaugural city-to-city tour and got to speak with Brown and Chestnut about the festival’s importance.

“Indie Night Film Festival is about building this community and bringing writers, directors, actors, producers together,” said Brown.

“There are a lot of people out there who are talented. They’re talented but they don’t know the direction. They have no direction on how to get where they need to be.”

Brown, who studied film at Morehouse College, knows the importance of having a plan when heading to Tinsel Town and hopes the festival will help newcomers find their way.

“Even if you land in Hollywood, you can’t just walk in and say ‘Hey, I’m a writer, take me in’, or I’m a director or actor. You have to be in that community of people. It’s about establishing yourself in what you want to do and letting people see you show your work.”

One person who can attest to having a successful Hollywood plan is Chestnut.

The award-winning actor has appeared in almost 60 films and produced seven. He even stepped behind the camera in 2014 with his directorial debut with the short film, Breakdown.

When asked what he attested his long-standing career to, Chestnut instantly replied, “Consistency.”

“One of the things that I tell people is to stay consistent. We all have hopes and dreams, and whenever we do a project, we’re excited and optimistic about that project because we’re hoping that people see it and it takes us to the next level. Even if it doesn’t just stay consistent in doing what you’re doing.”

(Chestnut (left) and Brown (right) on red carpet at Indie Night Film Festival - Credit- David “DWay” Crutcher)

Brown has plans to take the festival around the country and welcomes filmmakers of all genres.

Some cities along the tour will include Miami, Houston, New York, Cleveland, Oakland and more. Creators interested can get more information at indienightfilmfestival.com.

Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her favorite things to cover include “person of interest” pieces, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything about Beyoncé. Her bylines can be found in Blavity, Black Excellence, Signature Bride, Black Wall Street Times, and HipHop Weekly. Martie can be reached via email at martiebowser@detourxp.com.

This story was originally published June 20, 2023 at 8:36 AM with the headline "Morris Chestnut and Dave Brown talk Indie Night Film Festival."