DIDN'T I ASK FOR TEA? to World Premiere at 2015 Pan African Film Festival

In the overheated Brooklyn rental market, "Brandy" must scramble to find a new apartment while dealing with the potential loss of her closest friendship, and the confusion of a new romance. That's the story behind "Didn't I Ask For Tea?" which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Pan African Film Festival on February 7th and screen at the Brooklyn Museum in the spring.

A story both by and about women, the short film is the first production ofblackSTORY filmsand marks the writing/directorial debut ofRahwa Asmerom and Essence Ward, two longtime friends who wanted to not only create a work that reflected a week in the life of a city girl, but also highlighted the witty and intelligent dialogue experienced within their circle of friends.

The 23 minute dramedy features emerging actress Trae Harris, who made a stunning turn as "Nina" in Shaka King's indy hit film "Newlyweeds" in 2013. The eight-person cast also features Keona Welch, Tre Davis, Roger Baptiste, LaTonia Phipps, Monique Lola Berkley, Shaquille Berry and Aden Fisseha. Along with Asmerom and Ward, the film was produced by NY-based producer/director Jeremy Batchelor.

With rich cinematography by Tine DiLucia, the film spanned several locales, bucking the short film trend of one-room shoots. "We didn't want to skimp on scenes and scenery because of our financial and time restrictions," said Asmerom. "We believe that creating texture is critical, so we insisted on using varied locations to create a world around our central character." The film was shot in four days during the winter stretch of 2014 in neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn including Crown Heights, Fort Greene and Flatbush.

blackSTORY films was founded by Asmerom, a longtime journalist and producer who transitioned to filmmaking after many years as an editorial director and reporter in digital media. Ward received her MFA in Creative Writing at Rutgers University-Newark and is currently at work on her first novel.

Before Hannibal Buress reminded the world of Bill Cosby's history of sexual assault allegations, "Brandy" and "Eric" were debating the Huxtable legacy in the opening "date night" scene of "Didn't I Ask For Tea?" Watch the intriguing two-minute clip from the film here.

SOURCE blackSTORY films

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