Bridget O. Davis (INTERVIEW)

Bridget Davis

The “Pocono Film Festival” Interview

with Kam Williams

An Overachiever Making a Difference

Bridget O. Davis grew up in Harlem, in the Drew Hamilton Projects, with her four sisters. Some of her close friends took to the streets -- selling and using drugs, and becoming stick-up kids.

Her mother, a counselor at a drug rehabilitation center, would often bring home recovering heroin addicts to show her daughters, first hand, the severely detrimental effects of narcotics abuse. So, Bridget found refuge in writing and praying in her secret place of the "Most High," her bedroom closet. She also enjoyed playing hopscotch and jumping double-Dutch.

At the age of 13, Bridget tried her hand at writing, and won an essay contest which afforded her the opportunity to attend a writing camp in Russia. This trip would change Bridget’s life forever.

Upon returning home, her love for writing grew exponentially. Now exposed to a life outside of Harlem, Bridget had something else to aspire to besides what she witnessed on the streets from her bedroom window

After losing her mother to cancer at the age of twenty, Davis vowed to pave the way to reach the pinnacles of success. Feeling helpless about being unable to save her mother’s life, Bridget went to college and became a Registered Nurse, specializing in Emergency Room, I.C.U. and Operating Room care. She made this choice specifically in order to help save the lives of many.

Bridget also took it upon herself to found the Pocono Mountains Film Festival (PMFF). Currently in its 11th year, the PMFF has been graced with the presence of such Hollywood legends as Billy Dee Williams, Jack Palance, Joyce Anne Dewitt, Edie Adams, Robert Townsend, Joe Jackson, Cliff Robertson, Robert Vaughn and Fred Williamson.

Bridget says, “My calling is to prepare a place for the creative to use their gifts of writing, acting, speaking and directing, and to engage in the higher process of healing at all levels of life’s deficiencies. And to bring hope to those in despair.”

Kam Williams: Hi Bridget, thanks for the interview and congrats on your hosting the Pocono Film Festival for its 11^th year. How did a sister from Harlem end up in the Pocono mountains?

Bridget Davis: After witnessing all of the lives lost while growing up in Harlem to drugs and street violence, I was determined to make a positive difference in my community. After having two children with two men who did not share my same family values, I went to college and studied science with the goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. As an R.N., I would become financially independent. I would not have to depend on any man to decide the outcome of our lives.

KW: How were you able to make it out of Harlem when so many of your friends weren't?

BD: In life, either you get it or you don't. You cannot allow anyone else to tell you what direction you should go. My take on life is that your life should be determined by your own choices. If you fail, it will reflect your lack of hard work.  

KW: Where did you, as a Registered Nurse, get the idea of starting your own film festival?

BD: I wanted to see my second novel, "Henry's Heart," turned into a screenplay and independent film here in the Poconos. There was no place in the Pocono's that had a venue to screen indie films. The Poconos being a beautiful place, a film festival was missing.

KW: What were the biggest obstacles in getting it launched?

BD:  Being an African-American female in a predominantly-white community, I received no financial support from the Arts Society or State representatives. As I brought Academy-Award winners to the Poconos the challenge became greater. I had to work double shifts in the Emergency Room to pay for the event. The shift of negativity in this environment came when the folks here saw that I was fair to all independent filmmakers. 

KW: What was the initial reception of the Pocono community to the festival?

BD: Negative, due to the fact that other people had tried to develop a film festival and they were not successful. Also, I made it clear that everyone would have an opportunity to showcase their work and win honestly regardless of color, political agenda or socio-economic status. Blacks, Christians, Muslims and Jews had the same opportunity to compete in the Indie Film category and win.

KW: How many attendees did you have that first year? How many last year?

BD: The first year we had over 300 attendees and last year we had over 2000.

KW: Why should people come to the Poconos for a film festival? What else is there for them to enjoy besides the movies? 

BD: People should come to the PMFF to support filmmakers who are creative and would otherwise not have an opportunity to showcase their work to the professionals that we have partaking in this forum.

Besides the movies, the PMFF has great networking opportunities for people trying to break into the film industry. We have high profile celebrities in attendance to spearhead workshops. We have an annual honorary awards ceremony in which we honor filmmakers for the "Best Full Feature," "Best Documentary," "Best Screenplay," Best Film Short," "Best Reality Show,” and “Best Christian Film" We have film critics to interview the independent filmmakers and we have distributors present to shop.

KW: Does the festival have a philosophy in terms of films it is looking for?

BD: We look for films that motivate, educate and provide a deep sense of healing. We also feel that creativity is infinite and we are open to all ideas that could stimulate the human mind and assist with the conception of greater ideas and exchange. 

KW: I noticed that this year you are looking for submissions of Christian and Reality films. Why so?

BD: Through my experience in watching Christian films, I have been able to broaden the demand to meet a greater need in our population to fulfill the creativity in that particular genre. 

KW: I also see that the festival has honored such icons as Billy Dee Williams, Roberta Flack, Robert Vaughn and Oscar-winner Cliff Robertson. Who is this year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award?

BD: We have a couple of people in mind that we are still reaching out to.  

KW: Parenting, nursing, writing, filmmaking, running a film festival, etcetera. Why do you try to juggle so many things?

BD: When my time comes to leave this Earth, I don't want to have any regrets. I can say, I did it, everything that I wanted to do, I accomplished my dreams. I want my epitaph to read "Job Well Done!"

KW: How would you describe yourself?

BD: I would describe myself as strong, sensitive, ethical, driven and as not a person to be handled.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

BD: Why do you stay so busy helping other people fulfill their dreams? My answer: I realized that I never lived until I was able to help someone who could not repay me. The feeling is wonderful!

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

BD: The last time that I had a good laugh was when I got dressed in the dark and arrived in the E.R. with two different color shoes on.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

BD: My guiltiest pleasure is when I am able to look at the people who made my life difficult and yearned for me to fail. I smile and look at them and say, "I am so proud of my accomplishments. I beat the statistics" I am an E.R. nurse, I authored 3 published novels, I founded and own the Pocono Mountains Film Festival, and I am a motivational speaker. I wrote and produced a documentary. Success is the greatest revenge!

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

BD: “Living and Dying in Brick City” by Dr. Sampson Davis.

 

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to? 

BD: “The Impossible Dream” by Luther Vandross.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

BD: Macaroni and cheese.

KW: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?

BD: When a patient comes into the E.R. and they are experiencing a life threatening illness, I save them and visit them the next day sitting up in bed smiling. Also, when I speak at women’s Prisons and I begin by telling them that it is only for the grace of God that I am not sitting where they are sitting. I share my personal experiences with them and share how I was able to rise above the immediate predicament and became successful through setting boundaries that I would not go outside of. Also, at the honorary Awards dinner we will call the winners up to receive their award and to see the expression of happiness on their faces is worth all of the hard work planned. 

KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision?

BD: I have two best career decisions. The first one was becoming an E.R. nurse. This decision allowed me to bankroll my other career decision to create the Pocono Mountains Film Festival.                             

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

BD: I see a person that could change the course of many lives for the better if I had the financial means. I see the eyes of a person who loves life as long as she is able to assist with helping someone else survive. I see a caretaker of everyone regardless of race or economic status. I see a grown woman with the spirit and innocence of a little girl. I see success! 

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

BD: My one wish would be to destroy the Prison Industrial Complex System. Corporations should invest in education and colleges not slavery. That way, little boys and girls would have their daddies at home with them where they should be to help with childrearing to adulthood.

KW: The Jamie Foxx question: If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend the time?

BD: I would spend my last 24 hours telling everyone not to waste time on issues that they cannot change. Don't look back at yesterday's mistakes. Instead, focus on making tomorrow better.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

BD: My earliest childhood memory was when I brought my dad to school in the second grade for "Show and Tell." I was so proud of him in his mailman uniform. Many of my classmates’ fathers had taken off and mine was still around.

KW: The Melissa Harris-Perry question: How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?

BD: My first big heartbreak impact that decided who I was as a person was when the Pocono Record tried to destroy my credibility by printing that I was under investigation. I called a press conference and when the Assistant District Attorney arrived, I asked him in front of all of the media why he was investigating me. I informed him that "I save lives, I have never been arrested, and I would not come from Harlem to the Poconos to engage in any criminal activity, when I knew the real Nicky Barnes, Frank Lucas and other drug dealers in Harlem.” I did not run from a lie because I knew that their objective was to discredit my character and fold a successful Film Festival that I had conceived. After handling that situation, I knew that I was stronger than I ever imagined and there was no turning back at that point.

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share? 

BD: Hard work and sacrifice without caring what others think of their endeavors.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

BD: Remain humble at all cost and focus on your agenda. Take responsibility for your projects, work hard for what you believe in, and never take anything for granted. 

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks: What is your favorite charity?

BD: My favorite charity is any charity that helps women who were abused get back on their feet and become financially independent through education.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

BD: As a person that gave it her all, who never gave up, who loved people and cared for those who couldn't care for themselves. And as a person who enjoyed making people happy and bringing out the best in everyone. I want to be remembered as a person who accomplished all of her dreams.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Bridget, and best of luck with the festival.

BD: Thank you, Kam.

The Pocono Mountains Film Festival begins October 18th with an opening Meet and Greet with all honorees and filmmakers

We are now accepting all films and Screenplays / This year’s winners will receive monetary gifts.

Submission forms can be downloaded through our website at http://www.poconomountainsfilmfestival.com/

All questions regarding tickets and reservations (570) 619-4101

The deadline for film submissions is October 10, 2013

The festival is also looking for more distributors to assist with placing the best of the best independent films.