PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2: Is it....or isn't it....??

Reality Check for "Minority" Filmmakers....

(CNN) -- When director Ivan Dixon and writer Sam Greenlee were trying to get the politically charged African-American film "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" made in the early 1970s, they faced major challenges in securing funding.

Not much has changed since then, says Christine Acham, a University of California-Davis professor who is working on a documentary about the making of the film.

Acham said that though conditions have improved in the last 40 years, black filmmakers still struggle to get their films made.

"It is always challenging for African-American filmmakers to get funding," Acham said. "It's clearly helped by the Oprahs and Tyler Perrys of the world, who have their own studios and the ability to greenlight projects, but outside of that, if you are an independent or a black filmmaker, it is difficult to get black stories told." Click here to read entire article!

Producing a film, frame by frame...

Afia Serena Nathaniel is in production on her first feature film NEITHER THE VEIL NOR THE FOUR WALLS - as a first time feature director. And it is not an easy sell; not a rom com, thriller or horror film, but a political story based in Pakistan and focusing on a young mother and her eight year old daughter.

Oh boy....

However, where there is a will there is a way. Afia Serena Nathaniel is dedicated to producing her film for a number of reasons which she outlines in this guest blog for Women & Hollywood.

She and her producers have come up with an innovative way to do fund raising for the film - the film can be sponsored by potential audience members. Check out the method, and her website here and let us know what you think!

TWELVE - Release date 7/30/2010

Wealthy Upper East Side teens who have everything and still aren't happy. We will keep our opinions to ourselves...But would love to hear what you think about this film? You can view the trailer here - then come back and let us know!