TORONTO VEIL DIRECTED BY SARA SHAMSAVARI + JAY KRAUS

IN NERO -BLACK GIRLS IN ROME DIR: JAMES MAIKI/SARA SHAMSAVARI

In Nero: Black Girls in Rome is a portraiture project and film based on Dr. Tamara Pizzoli's forthcoming web series by the same name. The film and portraiture project features the work of artist Sara Shamsavari and is the third collaboration between Shamsavari and director James Maiki. In Nero is a documentation and celebration of Black women in Rome, who have been ever-present since before Cleopatra sailed down the Tiber river bearing jewels, incense and reigning with her presence alone. They are here now thriving, working, creating and building and yet their presence and contributions may not always be seen, acknowledged, welcomed or truly understood. This film shares the voices and perspectives of some of these phenomenal women first hand.

THE DANDY LION PROJECT AT AFRICAN STREET STYLE FESTIVAL DIR: JAMES MAIKI/SARA SHAMSAVARI 2014 

This film is a documentation of Shantrelle P Lewis' Dandy Lion Project in the form of a unique Portrait Session by contributing artist Sara Shamsavari as part of The African Street Style Festival. The portrait session is a part of is an exploration and celebration of young Black men in city-landscapes across the globe, who defy stereotypical and monolithic understandings of masculinity. Juxtaposed against an urban backdrop where the clothing of choice for many black men consists of a pair of sagging pants, exposed boxers, jerseys and white tees – the “hip hop” generation has produced another phenomenon of style – the New Age dandy. The Dandy Lion Project will exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) from April through to July 2015.
thedandylionproject.tumblr.com
simplicious.net/africa-street-style/
mocp.org
facebook.com/thedandylionproject.
sarashamsavari.com
jamesmaiki.com
Directed by James Maiki and Sara Shamsavari 2014.