A birthday turns tragic.
A father on his second tour in Iraq. A mother trying to keep her children safe. A son on the brink of manhood. A daughter anticipating her tenth birthday. A party that will change their lives forever.

A Short Film by Véronique N. Doumbé - Drama, 6'30 - USA - 2009

Produced and Directed by Véronique N. Doumbé

Written by
Sherry McGuinn

Cast
Kaiah Capers___ Angela
Rashida Turner__ Lena
Louis Stancil___ James, Jr.

Party guests
Kellena Shumate
Latanya Stokes
Khepera Stokes
Kaya Stokes
Monica Noelle

Crew
Associate Producers: Thierry Ngooh, Patricia Rampolla
Director of Photography: Sergei Franklin
Sound Design: Matt Perry Thomas
Music: Eve Cuyen, Jean Christophe Maillard
"Nothing Evil in the Stars": Felice Rosser

Production Manager: Aliki Paraschis
1st Assistant Director: Miles Maker
Script Supervisor: Veronica Mulero
Editor: Veronique N. Doumbe
Assistant Editor: Zsa Ho-Sang
Make Up Artist: Kellena Shumate
Sound Mixer: Matt Perry Thomas
Boom Operator: Alexandrea Rowell
Gaffer: Atsushi Takaoka
Best Boy electric: Patrick Murray
Grip: Johnny Lu
Grip: Dean Smith
1st Assistant Camera: Laura Nespola
2nd Assistant Camera: Zsa Ho-Sang
Still Photographer: Max Mansapit
Wardrobe: Edina Russo-Kolozsi
Prop Maker - Giant cake: Marine Penvern
Production Assistants: Victor M. Taplin, Robin Laverne Wilson, Pedro Solis Sierra


Digital Intermediate: Heavy Light Digital

Sculptures in the garden:
Uzikee
Peter Bradley
Linus Coraggio
George Smith
Colin Chase
Lawrence Seward

Special Thanks
Wabi Shiro, Match
Verge and Charles Capers,
Hand Held Films,
Eva Dorsey, Gayle Raskin, Jane's Exchange,
Corinne Jennings, Kenkeleba House,
Thomas Moore, Children's Defense Fund.
Marie-Laure Devars, Colette Chauvat
Anne Marie Coursil

© 2009 Ndolo Films, LLC.

3RD BABELGUM ONLINE FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY 2010


"The Birthday Party", based on a screenplay written by Sherry Mcguinn won:

* The Dikalo Award for Best Fiction Short at the 2009 Pan African Film Festival in Cannes (France).

* The Award of Merit in the category Contemporary Issues, Ethics, Religion in the 2009 Accolade Competition.

* The Micro Mini Award at the 2009 Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival.