Join us February 26th, 2025, at 5 PM for Crépu: Our DNA Extended presents “Black, Bold and Beautiful” at the Digital Arts Resource Centre (DARC) in celebration of Black History Month.
Crépu: Our DNA: Extended is an expansion on the visual art component of Crépu: Our DNA, the annual Black Hair Art Show co-presented by Hors Pair Social and The Moving Art Gallery. This new expanded series of visual art offerings will allow guests to elongate their enjoyment of Black Canadian art throughout Black History Month and beyond. For this inaugural edition of the series, two films will be screened in the DARC Microcinema: “Black, Bold and Beautiful” by Nadine Valcin, and local filmmaker Néema Ndinsil’s debut film “BREATHE”, followed by a panel discussion between her and photographer Benjamin Shimwa, moderated by Sandra Ngenge Dusabe, founder and head curator of The Moving Art Gallery.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Néema Ndinsil, also known by her artist name Evangie Grace, is a 20 year old director and singer-songwriter from Montreal, now based in Ottawa. She recently began her filmmaking journey with the release of her debut short film, BREATHE. The project intertwines with her passion for music, as she has composed songs that revolve around the message of the film. From a young age, she’s had the passion for cinema and music, and decided to launch her first cinematic project shortly after completing her college education. She plans on continuing down that path of creativity and storytelling.
Benjamin Shimwa is a dynamic filmmaker with a proven track record of directing and producing impactful projects for television, web platforms, and social media. With a passion for storytelling, he brings a unique vision to every project, crafting narratives that captivate audiences and leave lasting impressions. Specializing in directing, producing and cinematograph, Benjamin has helmed a range of notable projects, including the CBC documentary Steps to Inclusivity, and acclaimed short films such as Inner Sound, All Falls Down, and Chasing Mirrors. His expertise spans every stage of production, from conceptualization to post-production, ensuring a seamless and compelling final product. Benjamin’s experience includes collaborating with high-profile clients like the Katy Perry shoe collection, Timberland, and the Black Medical Students Association of Canada. His work reflects a dedication to excellence, showcasing his ability to balance artistic vision with technical precision. Focusing on elevating voices and telling untold stories, Benjamin continues to push creative boundaries, using film as a medium to inspire and connect with audiences worldwide.
MEET THE MODERATOR
Sandra Ngenge Dusabe (gen-geh doo-sa-beh) is a painter, curator and cultural creator based in Ottawa, Canada. After completing her BFA at the University of Ottawa, she’s taken the knowledge and passion cultivated from her time in school and transferred that dedication and care to program conceptually coherent and authentic experiences catered to Black and Femme artists located on Turtle Island. While being raised and conditioned to continuously balance the advantages and drawbacks of making art in Canada, these challenges have yielded a continuous streak of successful events and exhibits presented through The Moving Art Gallery, her personal curatorial initiative.
