Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Williams.
Tiffany is an Atlanta based actor, producer, and writer who received her BA in Speech Communication and Theatre from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS and MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School in New York City.
Tiffany is the founder of Peggy Watts Productions, an indie film production company out of Atlanta, GA. Named after her late great grandmother who managed to acquire her 40 acres in Mississippi, Peggy Watts Productions aims to produce content centered around storytelling, that highlights the importance of self-care, financial freedom, family, friendship, and faith which are tied to the same source, LOVE.
She’s most recently founded the Black Excellence Film Festival, a film festival centered around African American filmmakers. Tiffany has been commissioned by the City of Jackson, MS in efforts to expand the film festival and make Jackson, MS its home. When Tiffany isn’t producing and writing content, she’s teaching theatre at both Kennesaw State University and Jackson State University, as well as serving as a brand management consultant for Priscilla’s Image, a prominent luxury mobile stylist brand servicing women Jackson, MS and surrounding areas.
Please tell us about your art.
I am an indie filmmaker who just recently wrapped up directing and producing a short film entitled Election Day. This film is based on a true story, my story. Whereas, initially, I wanted to hide my truth behind the label of “filmmaker”, I find that it is much more freeing to stand proudly behind this film as a human first, filmmaker second. On November 8, 2016, I was sexually assaulted while commuting to vote for the Presidential Election. It changed my life forever. So often since the incident, I’ve heard the phrase “in order to heal, you must reveal.” In light of the recent climate in not only Hollywood, but our nation, I find it absolutely necessary to be as transparent in my storytelling as possible. With this resolve, I am proud to share my truth and the truth of hundreds of thousands of women and men via the short film, ELECTION DAY.
While submitting Election Day to various film festivals around the country, I realized how impactful film festivals are not only on the film industry, but to the cities that the actual festivals are located in. These festivals are bringing hundreds, if not thousands, of like-minded patrons to cities that are thriving economically and culturally.
I’ve created The Black Excellence Film Festival to highlight, celebrate, and bring together the black filmmakers, creatives, and entrepreneurs of Georgia, Mississippi, and Louisiana and all southern states under one roof, in one city. My goal is for the festival to expand and be as in demand as The American Black Film Festival, Tribeca, Sundance, Cannes, etc.
This year was the inaugural year and served as a pilot of sorts so that I can gauge what type of content and programming creatives would like to see in a festival setting, what type of workshops they’re interested in, and how to engage with our target audience. I was especially interested in the vendors and making sure the local black businesses were represented and celebrated!
Based on the initial response when the festival was announced, there is great interest in having a Black centered film festival in Georgia and Mississippi. Filmmakers are wanting to know how they can get their films shown, Entrepreneurs are wanting to know how their businesses can set up shop and vend, and if there will be future festivals. I look forward to bringing the Black Excellence Film Festival to life annually and watching it grow into something bigger than any of us could have ever imagined!
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
My advice for artists looking to connect is to start with your closest artist friend. Being an artist can get quite lonely because a lot of us are introverts and can be consumed by our art. We’d rather edit our latest screenplay or perfect our most recent project than go to a swanky networking event. Instead of advising to go to this or that networking event, I’d advise to connect with your closest artist friend and ask him or her about their network. Ask to be invited next time your artist friend meets with their network. Start small. Networking can be overwhelming, but networking has existed since the beginning of time. It is not going anywhere. If you make one genuine connection this month, be proud of that connection, and shoot for two connections the next month. Three genuine connections beat twenty empty connections on any day!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can learn more about the Black Excellence Film Festival and Peggy Watts Productions at www.blackexcellencefilmfestival.com. You can also see a trailer for the film Election Day as well as footage from this year’s festival at this site as well.
You can stream, rent, or buy Election Day on Amazon Prime this fall!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackexcellencefilmfestival.com
- Email: peggywattsproductions@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackexcellencefilmfestival/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackexcellencefilmfestival/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/tiffrwilliams
Image Credit:
Shawntae Hughes
Destin Benford – DNA Photography
Rob Demery of Red Light Arts Photography
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