VIDA: Women in Literary Arts opens up 2020 Submissions
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
The VIDA Review is a bi-monthly online literary magazine publishing original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, reviews, and interviews.
We are exclusively interested in work by those often marginalized in literary spaces, including people of color; women, agender, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, non-binary, trans, and two-spirit people; LGBQIA people; people with disabilities; and people living at the intersections of these identities.
The VIDA Review is currently able to pay those published under fiction, nonfiction, and poetry $15-$20 per author. This is a very small token, but we are currently actively working on increasing funds so as to pay authors more. If you’d like to help us meet this goal, please consider donating here.
All pieces should be original, and previously unpublished in any format in English.
Please send one submission at a time, and please submit only once every 6 months.
We are open to simultaneous submissions, so long as you label them as such and promptly let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
Submissions are accepted year-round via Submittable, but will not be open until January 15, 2020. We will try to respond as soon as possible, but please wait three months before querying us.
Fiction
Nonfiction
Poetry
Reviews & Interviews
Up to 3,000 words (but if your work is a bit longer, feel free to send it)
Double-spaced
Include contact information on first page of submission
Include word count at top of first page
SUBMIT
Submit your work using our Submittable page.
“Parasite” Pulls Off Historic Win at 2020 #SAGAwards | Full List of Winners
The 26th edition of the annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards held on Sunday night, at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, honouring outstanding stars of motion pictures and movie series.
One of the major highlights of the award night was Bong Joon-ho‘s South Korean comedy “Parasite” being the very first foreign language film to bag a SAG award for the category of Outstanding Performance in a Motion Picture.
Brad Pitt won an award for outstanding performance as a male actor in his supporting role in the movie “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood” and Jennifer Aniston also bagged an award for outstanding performance as a female actor in the drama series, “The Morning Show“.
Peter Dinklage won the Best Actor award for his role in “Game of Thrones” while “Avengers: Endgame” won Outstanding Stunt Ensemble.
See the full list of winners:
Television Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Mahershala Ali, “True Detective”
Russell Crowe, “The Loudest Voice”
Jared Harris, “Chernobyl”
Jharrel Jerome, “When They See Us”
Sam Rockwell, “Fosse/Verdon” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Patricia Arquette, “The Act”
Toni Collette, “Unbelievable”
Joey King, “The Act”
Emily Watson, “Chernobyl”
Michelle Williams, “Fosse/Verdon” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”
Steve Carell, “The Morning Show”
Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones” — WINNER
David Harbour, “Stranger Things”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston, “The Morning Show” — WINNER
Helena Bonham Carter, “The Crown”
Olivia Colman, “The Crown”
Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve”
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alan Arkin, “The Kominsky Method”
Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method”
Bill Hader, “Barry”
Andrew Scott, “Fleabag”
Tony Shalhoub, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, “Dead to Me”
Alex Borstein, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Rachel Brosnahan, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, “Fleabag” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
“Big Little Lies”
“The Crown” — WINNER
“Game of Thrones”
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
“Stranger Things”
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
“Barry”
“Fleabag”
“The Kominsky Method”
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” — WINNER
“Schitt’s Creek”
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series
“Game of Thrones” — WINNER
“GLOW”
“Stranger Things”
“The Walking Dead”
“Watchmen”
Motion Picture Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Christian Bale, “Ford v Ferrari”
Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”
Adam Driver, “Marriage Story”
Taron Egerton, “Rocketman”
Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet”
Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story”
Lupita Nyong’o, “Us”
Charlize Theron, “Bombshell”
Renée Zellweger, “Judy” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Jamie Foxx, “Just Mercy”
Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”
Al Pacino, “The Irishman”
Joe Pesci, “The Irishman”
Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood” — WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Laura Dern, “Marriage Story” — WINNER
Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit”
Nicole Kidman, “Bombshell”
Jennifer Lopez, “Hustlers”
Margot Robbie, “Bombshell”
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
“Bombshell”
“The Irishman”
“Jojo Rabbit”
“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”
“Parasite” — WINNER
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“Avengers: Endgame” — WINNER
“Ford v Ferrari”
“The Irishman”
“Joker”
“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Watch the Exciting Trailer for Emem Isong’s “Special Jollof” starring Uche Jombo, Bukky Wright & Femi Adebayo
Emem Isong is getting set to release the forthcoming movie “Special Jollof” in February 2020. But first … the trailer.
The star-studded movie, which stars Uche Jombo, Bukky Wright, Joseph Benjamin, Mary Magdalene, Robert Peters, Femi Adebayo, written by Rita Onwurah, follows the life of a white journalist with a thriving career and a loving fiancé, whose perfect life is shattered by a shocking discovery. She blames her misfortune on illegal immigrants and vows to have them deported, especially the Nigerians.
Watch the trailer below.
Kim Kardashian West’s Criminal Reform Documentary is Almost Here
Kim Kardashian West has released the trailer for her criminal documentary “Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project”, stating that “there is a mass incarceration problem in the United States.”
The two-hour documentary, which will be premiering on Sunday, April 5, captures Kim Kardashian exploring the cases of Dawn Jackson, Alexis Martin, Momolu Stewart and David Sheppard, all of whom she believes have been unfairly convicted.
Kim played a major role in the release of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old woman who had been in an Alabama prison on a nonviolent drug charge since 1996. After her meeting with Donald Trump at the Oval Office to discuss prison reform, Alice was granted clemency.
Source: bellanaija.com
Africa Magic launches 4 New & Exciting Shows to Spark Up Your Week
Great news for entertainment lovers! Africa Magic has launched four new shows; Date My Family, Confessions, Unmarried and Dr. Laser, now available from January 2020.
DATE MY FAMILY: 5 January 2020, Showing on Sundays
This is a reality dating show with an unexpected twist. The suitor goes for dinner with 3 different families of potential dates and eventually picks one date. The other rejected dates are visited with a token (e.g wine). The suitor only gets to see his pick at the eventual couple dinner.
CONFESSIONS: 6 January 2020. Showing on Mondays
This is a reality show where people confront their fears/secrets by sharing real-life confessions between friends, siblings, love interest, etc. Furthermore, the person being confessed to is not aware until the camera rolls. You get to see real-life reactions and situations to both good or both confessions.
UNMARRIED: 8 January 2020. Showing on Wednesdays
Three friends who grew up on the same street in a simple Lagos neighborhood, from their personal decisions, take on very different paths through life. Despite these changes, they remain the best of friends.
We explore their friendship as they each face several challenges, from their careers to their dating lives, marital issues, romance, heartbreak and general issues that women go through personally and professionally.
DR. LASER: 10 January 2020. Showing Fridays
This is a reality show about plastic surgery procedures in Nigeria. You get to uncover the reasons why the participants want a change and their recovery journey.
Catch all of these shows on Africa Magic Showcase by staying connected to DStv.
Q&A with actor and 2020 World Read Aloud Day ambassador Manaka Ranaka
Manaka Ranaka is looking forward to reading aloud to children on February 5.
Manaka Ranaka is looking forward to reading aloud to children on February 5.
Storytelling is a human need. We only have to look at the success of Generations – people tuned in for years to see the latest plot twist. How do you think sharing stories brings us together?
When one shares a story, it results in people gathering together. Telling and sharing stories gives us common ground and a platform for human connection, whether in a taxi to work or at the office, over lunch or with friends. It keeps the people engaging in storytelling, without them even realising they themselves are story tellers. Stories are the result of our innate need as humans to be together.
There are many ways of telling stories. In South Africa, we are used to sharing them orally – at family dinners, on radio or even over the phone. What’s your family’s favourite way to share stories?
In my family we share stories orally most of the time. Whenever we are together somebody always has something to share. Despite living our separate lives, we never let distance stop us from the storytelling, therefore we continue the culture even on social media. We like sharing stories so much we even share our life story as a family on our show, The Ranakas. So I guess whatever platform is given to us to share, then stories shall be shared.
Since books are expensive and hard to find in languages other than English, many South Africans struggle to make them part of their storytelling habits. Organisations like Nal’ibali are working to change this. Why is access to books important for all children and adults?
Access to books is extremely important to children and adults because they are the point of entry to gaining knowledge and, most importantly, a sense of imagination. Imagination really is fundamental to human development.
There’s been a real shift in the past few years to create local stories that reflect the diversity of South African experiences: where and how people really live, the things they can relate to, and all published in a language they speak most comfortably at home. What do you think this effort will mean to young people growing up today?
It all goes back to what I mentioned earlier: imagination. When children are given a chance to use their imagination through reading books, they’re given an opportunity to dream of better circumstances for themselves and others. Now, just imagine being able to do all of that in your preferred language or mother tongue.
World Read Aloud Day is coming soon and we hear you’re going to be involved in spreading stories and excitement. Can you tell us more about what will happen?
It gives me a great feeling to know I’ll be surrounded by children on World Read Aloud Day. As a MoTswana woman who was taught to read, write and speak English and isiZulu fluently, I’m challenging myself to read aloud in a different language: a language that I may have been taught to speak but never taught to read and write in. There’s no learning without making mistakes: practice makes perfect. It’s a great lesson I’d love to leave the children with on that day.
What are some benefits of reading aloud to children?
Among so many other things, it teaches them a very valuable skill, which is to listen.
As a mum of two, you’ll know how hard it can be to find time to read aloud to your children in between work and daily schedules. Do you have tips for making it part of a routine?
As a working single mother, I never seem to have time to read bedtime stories. Despite this, I always find other creative ways to incorporate reading into our daily schedules. We read our shopping lists, school newsletters, and even my TV scripts. Yes, my children help me to learn my lines sometimes.
How can we work toward a future in which local South African books become as popular among children as local soapies?
We can’t deny the fact that we are raising children of the Fourth Industrial Revolution who are into gadgets like cellphones, laptops, tablets and smart TVs. We need to come up with exciting reading-based TV games and take full advantage of popular social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp to create secure, exciting reading groups where our children can share and exchange reading material.
Each year Nal’ibali raises awareness about the importance of reading aloud by celebrating World Read Aloud Day and calling on members of the public to help break its read aloud record. This year World Read Aloud Day falls on February 5, and the campaign aims to read aloud to 2-million children. To get your copy of this year’s story in any official South African language and register your read aloud session, visit www.nalibali.org.
2020 Denton Black Film Festival to Screen More Than 90 Films By African American Filmmakers
Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn will kick off festival with concert, first-time DBFF Tech Expo to showcase latest tech and Grammy-winner Kirk Whalum’s film will be screened.
More than 90 films will be screened at the sixth-annual Denton Black Film Festival including several critically acclaimed films such as Amazing Grace, The Apollo and True Justice.
To add to the excitement, Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn will kick off the festival with a concert at 7pm, January 23, 2020 at the newly renovated Margo Jones Hall, 1100 Oakland Street, Denton, on the campus of Texas Woman’s University. Also performing will be the Shelley Carrol Quartet featuring Roger Boykin.
As one of the most comprehensive cultural events in North Texas, the five-day festival, taking place January 22 – 26, 2020, also will include the launch of the DBFF Tech Expo, showcasing the latest in tech from entrepreneurs and companies around the country.
Social justice is among the prominent themes of this year’s screenings and panels, highlighting the issues of criminal and environmental justice. The League of Women Voters-Denton and Denton Votes will have voter registration tables on Friday, January 24 at the Campus Theater, 214 W. Hickory St. for After Selma (a short film that sheds light on voter suppression) and The Evers, Emmy-winning filmmaker Loki Mulholland’s film about civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Additionally, While I Breathe, I Hope is the journey of Bakari Sellers, a young, progressive black man running for office in the South, which will be screened at the Alamo Drafthouse, 3220 Town Center Trail.
Tickets may be purchased and reserved online at DentonBFF.com for all films, including the featured films:
- True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality, the HBO documentary that chronicles the Alabama public interest attorney and founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, which is the inspiration behind the film Just Mercy starring Jamie Foxx, currently in wide release. Along with this film, The Marshall Project’s We Are Witnesses – Chicago will be shown. This free community screening will be at 6:30 p.m. January 25 at the Campus Theater.
- Grammy-winner Kirk Whalum’s Humanité: The Beloved Community airs 6:35 p.m. January 25 at Alamo Drafthouse.
- Amazing Grace, the 2018 documentary tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin, will show at 3 p.m. January 26 at the Alamo Drafthouse.
- The Apollo offers a history of the renowned Harlem theater and is a nominee for Best Documentary at the 2020 Academy Awards. It will close out the festival on January 26th as a free community screening at 4:30 p.m. at the Campus Theater.
There also will be a 45th anniversary showing of the classic “Cooley High”, a coming of age story of a group of teenagers offering a contrast to the Blaxploitation films that had arisen during the late 1960s and early ‘70s. Other featured films are Timothy Greenfield-Sanders’ Toni Morrison: The Pieces That I Am, Deborah Riley Draper’s Olympic Pride, American Prejudice, Robert Townsend’s Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy, and Numa Perrier’s Jezebel, co-presented by the Women Texas Film Festival. There also is a new web series category and over 50 short films, including two teen-produced and -directed films, addressing a wide variety of themes.
Along with films, the DBFF Institute, which offers year-round programming for creatives throughout DFW, will host a series of workshops and panels, including: “Social Responsibility of Media Makers”, “8 Essential Qualities of a Successful Freelancer + 50 Killer Marketing Techniques”, and a screening and discussion of “Savages, Servants and Specialty Acts”.
On the music front, New York-based jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn will share her inventive, scat-influenced style that helped her win both the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition and 2015 Thelonious Monk International Vocal Jazz Competition. In 2017 she released her Grammy-nominated debut album “A Social Call”, and her latest release, “Love and Liberation”, has quickly risen up the jazz charts and is currently Grammy nominated for Best Jazz Album.
New additions to this year’s event include the Children’s Comedy Competition at 10 a.m., January 25, – but seating is limited – at the Patterson Appleton Arts Center, 400 E. Hickory St. The annual spoken word competition takes place at 9 p.m. that night in the same venue. There also will be informal networking social hours at venues throughout downtown Denton. Visitors also can experience digital art by nationally acclaimed visual artist Vicki Meek at various locations around Denton.
Tickets and VIP Packages, which will allow purchasers to access the full slate of activities, including the movies, music and spoken word performances, DBFF Institute workshops and the awards program, are on sale now.
About the Denton Black Film Festival
The Denton Black Film Festival is an annual cultural event, featuring the works of emerging filmmakers from around the country and talented college students, musicians, artists and spoken word poets. Held each January, thousands attend the celebration of storytelling in various art forms, which takes place in venues in Denton, Texas, just 40 miles north of Dallas and Fort Worth. The event is a yearly fundraiser for the Denton African American Scholarship Foundation, which supports high school students preparing for post-secondary education. Learn more at DentonBFF.com
