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TIP-OFF Jan. 10, 2005 “DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST,” A FILM PRODUCED BY NCSA FILM FACULTY MEMBER STEVEN JONES, NAMED TO NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY
WINSTON-SALEM – DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, the first feature-length film by an African-American woman to receive a wide theatrical release, has been named to the National Film Registry. Steven Jones, who produced the 1988 film, has been a member of the School of Filmmaking faculty at the North Carolina School of the Arts since 1996. Under the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant motion pictures to the registry. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced his annual selection of 25 motion pictures on Dec. 28, 2004, brining the total number of films on the registry to 400.
Other of the 25 films just named to the National Film Registry include Steven Spielberg’s SCHINDLER’S LIST; GOING MY WAY, starring Bing Crosby; JAILHOUSE ROCK, starring Elvis Presley; and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, considered Jerry Lewis’ greatest film. The Library of Congress calls DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST an “evocative, emotional look at family, era and place. … (Writer/Director) Julie Dash eschews traditional forms of film narrative for a poetic, impressionistic collage of gorgeous colors, music and imagery in telling the story of three generations of African-Americans who meet on the Gullah, South Carolina, Sea Island in 1902.” In addition to Steven Jones, other producers on the project included Julie Dash and cinematographer Arthur Jafa. DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and won the Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival. It also won an NAACP Image Award for Best Picture. Steven Jones received a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University, where he also did graduate studies. In addition to DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, his film credits include NOTHING TO LOSE, LET’S GET BUSY, ALMA’S RAINBOW and CHICKS 101. His television credits include THE DIGGERS and THE FOLLOWER, among others. His music video credits include “Freedom,” “Sarah,” “Doug E. Fresh,” “XY,” and others. In addition to his awards for DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, he has also received a Golden Eagle Award for DIGGERS and the Paul Robeson Award for THE FOLLOWER. Steven Jones teaches producing at the NCSA School of Filmmaking. He also served as assistant dean. For more information, or to schedule an interview, please call Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 or e-mail carpem@ncarts.edu in the public relations office at NCSA. ###
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TIP-OFF Jan. 10, 2005

“DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST,”
A FILM PRODUCED BY NCSA FILM FACULTY MEMBER STEVEN JONES,
NAMED TO NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY

WINSTON-SALEM – DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, the first feature-length film by an African-American woman to receive a wide theatrical release, has been named to the National Film Registry. Steven Jones, who produced the 1988 film, has been a member of the School of Filmmaking faculty at the North Carolina School of the Arts since 1996.

Under the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant motion pictures to the registry. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington announced his annual selection of 25 motion pictures on Dec. 28, 2004, brining the total number of films on the registry to 400.

Other of the 25 films just named to the National Film Registry include Steven Spielberg’s SCHINDLER’S LIST; GOING MY WAY, starring Bing Crosby; JAILHOUSE ROCK, starring Elvis Presley; and THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, considered Jerry Lewis’ greatest film.

The Library of Congress calls DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST an “evocative, emotional look at family, era and place. … (Writer/Director) Julie Dash eschews traditional forms of film narrative for a poetic, impressionistic collage of gorgeous colors, music and imagery in telling the story of three generations of African-Americans who meet on the Gullah, South Carolina, Sea Island in 1902.”

In addition to Steven Jones, other producers on the project included Julie Dash and cinematographer Arthur Jafa.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize and won the Cinematography Award at the Sundance Film Festival. It also won an NAACP Image Award for Best Picture.

Steven Jones received a Bachelor of Science from Virginia State University, where he also did graduate studies. In addition to DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, his film credits include NOTHING TO LOSE, LET’S GET BUSY, ALMA’S RAINBOW and CHICKS 101. His television credits include THE DIGGERS and THE FOLLOWER, among others. His music video credits include “Freedom,” “Sarah,” “Doug E. Fresh,” “XY,” and others. In addition to his awards for DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST, he has also received a Golden Eagle Award for DIGGERS and the Paul Robeson Award for THE FOLLOWER.

Steven Jones teaches producing at the NCSA School of Filmmaking. He also served as assistant dean.

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please call Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 or e-mail carpem@ncarts.edu in the public relations office at NCSA.

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