Sasha Dees and Philip Powel founded Black Soil, the first International Hip Hop Film Festival in Europe, in 2003. The festival in 2008 will take place in WATT, Rotterdam. Better note the dates and don't miss it! :) 4-7 December 2008 (click festivalprogram for line-up).

Black Soil's scope is across the board and puts Hip Hop into a broader perspective. Next to the presentation of movies inspired by DJs, graffiti, MCs and break dancers, movies derived from Hip Hop will be shown, as well as movies which have served as a source of inspiration to Hip Hop artists and to movie directors. In addition to films, Black Soil offers an extensive program, including i.e. panel discussions; expositions and after parties with prominent DJs, MC's & B-boyz & girlzz

John106 also guestcurate Black Soil programs (inter)nationally in different venues and as part of festivals upon request!  Black Soil advised, and/or curated programs in worldwide events, including URB (Finland), BASS & Rising Styles (UK); Cinema Roma, Lezarts Urbains, Cinema Nova (B); Filmhuis Den Haag, Rotown, Filmhuis 't Hoogt, Bo! Zo Cultuur Amsterdam Zuidoost (NL), Hiphopfilmfestival, H2O, Black Lily (US); ROTL (Germany) and COX18 (Italy). For links to these festivals go to "filmmaker".

Upcoming Black Soil specials:

* 16 May 2009
Black Soil presents Ghostface Killa en documentary WU: the story of Wu Tang Clan @ WATT, Rotterdam

* June 2009
Black Soil presents @ Montpellier, France

* August 2009
Black Soil presents @ URB, Helsinki Finland