Benita Sarah Bailey is the new chair of the board of the association Schwarze Filmschaffende e.V. The actress, filmmaker and lecturer is one of the founding members of the association, which was established in Berlin in 2023.

The producer, screenwriter and sensitivity reader Sophya Kallista Frohberg was elected as deputy chair. Other members of the new executive committee include the documentary filmmaker and curator Diane Izabiliza, the actor, screenwriter and filmmaker Lamin Leroy Gibba, the screenwriter Sophia Ayissi, the producer Vincent Edusei, and the filmmaker and author Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Schwarze Filmschaffende e.V. campaigns to break down structural barriers for Black film-makers both in front of and behind the camera. The association’s objectives include, amongst other things, improved access to film funding, film education, industry networks and decision-making structures.

The new board intends to continue the association’s work to date and to expand its network with Black filmmakers in Austria, Switzerland and the African diaspora. Further collaborations with film festivals and cinemas in German-speaking countries are also planned.