By: Gordon Balkcom
BROOKLYN. NY - Actor / comedian Rhonda Hansome (right) and Black Women In Comedy Laff Fest founder Joanna Briley (left) congratulate director Debra J. Robinson (center) Photo credit: G. Balkcom
The 5th Annual "Laff Fest" takes place over from June 19- June 23. The 5-day event will feature over 20+ #FunnyBlackWomen and showcase some of the best, stand-up comedians. One of those funny women will be the founder of Black Women In Comedy Laff Fest, Joanna Briley who recently joined actor and comedian Rhonda Hansome. They celebrated a very special screening of her newly restored film “I Be Done Been Was Is" (1984) at the BAM Rose Cinema in Brooklyn, New York.
In the film Hansome is one of the four “talented, sharp-witted Black women navigating the male-dominated world of stand-up” featured in the 60-minute comedy documentary. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Hansome has appeared on numerous TV shows including Louie, Saturday Night Live, Caroline’s Comedy Hour, Stand-Up Spotlight, Arsenio Hall, Evening at the Improv, Showtime at the Apollo and The Joan Rivers Show. She is an Outstanding Comedian BackStage Bistro Award winner who was the opening act for Anita Baker, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Jackie Mason and The Pointer Sisters.
Also presented at the screening was Robinson’s restored 1989 feature “Kiss Grandma Goodbye." which was based on / adapted from a Terry McMillan short story. Restoration of both films was provided courtesy the Academy Film Archive and the Women’s Film Preservation Fund of New York Women in Film and Television.
To learn more about the upcoming "Laff Fest, check out Black Women In Comedy Laff Fest (bwiclafffest.com)
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