Since 1996, the festival has grown in depth and national recognition. Around the country it is a
well-known fact that invitations and awards from the Memphis Black Writers Conference are held
in high esteem. Our guest list from past festivals include such notables as: Isaac Hayes, Tavis
Smiley, Eric Jerome Dickey, Rosalyn McMillan, Dick Gregory, Ralph Wiley, Thelma Balfour
Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly, Tony Medina, Saul Williams, Haki Madhubuti, Reginald Martin,
and Brenda Joysmith to name a few. With continued community and corporate support we
expect this year's event to be an overwhelming success.
THE EVENT OVERVIEW:
The Memphis Black Writers Conference & Southern Film Festival features: Authors and Actors
Panels, Poetry Readings, Children's Story Time, Young Writers Workshops, Art Exhibits, and an
International Film Festival. We have the distinction of being the only conference in the area with
this range of cultural activities. Through a strategic recruitment campaign, filmmakers, authors,
artists, and poets from all over the country are invited to attend this festival.
EVENT VENUES INCLUDE:
*Peabody Place Entertainment Center
*Muvico Theater
*Isaac Hayes Music*Food*Passion
*The Zanzibar
*Memphis Marriott (Downtown)
