Seattle, WA- Multi Award-Winning Filmmaker Damien D. Smith has stood his ground with bringing awareness to issues that are happening in the black community. He uses film to highlight the good, the bad, and the process of improving communities. “I like to shed light on what is happening in the black community. There are a lot of things that need to be heard such as education, suicide rates, insecurities, and many more issues that some people try to hide under a rug. I use my talents to let people know that they can talk about these issues.”
As a director, there are so many challenging obstacles that they have to overcome. Directors have to have a team that shares the same vision as you. Directors have to understand that you have to work close to perfection, and have to think about how they want to convey their message to the public. Those qualities have been the ingredients for Damien’s success. “You have to have a vision for what you want to do. It starts out with a blueprint and how that director wants viewers to see his work. You also have to have like-minded individuals that can see your vision as well.”
Recently, Damien won the Jack Daniels Gentleman Jack Reel to Reel and he was very optimistic and grateful that his hard work was recognized. His film Daddy’s Big Girl was the film that won. Daddy’s Big Girl tells a story about a dad preparing his young daughter to adjust to a life with less of him in it. Smith directed the film and it was written by Latham Ford.
Real to Reel is a collaboration between the Gentleman Jack and Codeblack Entertainment that helps to uplift the next wave of Black film creatives and showcase their work to local and national audiences. “It was such an honor to be recognized for all of my hard work. It took me to another world that people were recognizing my talents and the feeling is hard to explain. I am grateful for the opportunity to be recognized, but that does not stop me from wanting more or doing more for myself, family, and my community.”
Damien has talked about bridging the gaps of America by loving each other and talking about issues that need to be talked about more such as racism, sexism, and even the injustice in this country. Some people have been uncomfortable with these types of conversations, but in order for America to be progressive, those are the topics that Americans needs to hear. “You have to understand that in order for growth in all communities, we have to take a stand on these issues that are going on, from sexual harassment to racism, as well as women equality. We have to tackle these types of issues because these issues are dividing the country up. We have to accept people for who they are and just love them for who they are.”
