The Pratt in the Hat
A film by Susan Hillary
Beneath the brims of hundreds of colorful hats is a woman who shares her wisdom, humor, and personal experiences about being black in America, then and now.
Synopsis
The PRATT in the HAT is a short film about Frances Pratt, her hats, her prattisms, and her civil rights leadership which began in 1957 and continues till today as the President of the Nyack, NY Branch of the NAACP.
The PRATT in the HAT is a celebration of Pratt’s unique wisdom which she gained through observation and perseverance as a woman of color.
Susan Hillary Shapiro was inspired to create this piece when she spotted Frances across a crowded political event. Pratt was adorned in one of her striking hats and to Susan, she seemed a beacon of color in a sea of grey. “I asked her if she would allow me to photograph her in her hats,” Susan explains. “She agreed and I found what lay beneath her large-brimmed bonnets was a woman whose personal insight and firsthand knowledge into racial equality is one that is relevant, now more than ever.” If Frances Pratt’s hats make a bold statement so too does Pratt’s southern charm and pithy expressions which she garnered through a lifetime of service to her community.
“What a beautiful and gracious lady with an amazing story! Loved the incredible spirit, the wisdom and of course the hats.”
Festival Entries
• LA Independent Women Film Awards | November 30, 2021
• Shorts That Are Not Pants Festival 2021 | November 19-28, 2021
• Down East Flick Fest | November 19, 2021
• WRPN Women's International Film Festival | December 19, 2021
• Berlin International Art Film Festival | November 8, 2021
• Amsterdam Short Film Festival | November 1, 2021
• New York Independent Cinema Awards | October 25-26, 2021
• Hollywood Women's Film Institute: Hollywood Women's International Film Festival | October 23 – 24, 2021
• Big Eddy Film Festival | September 30 - October 3, 2021
• Women Over 50 Film Festival | September 25, 2021
AWARD WINNER • World Film Carnival, Singapore(WFCS) | September 24
• Imagine This Women's Film Festival | September 24, 2021
• International Social Change Film Festival | September 26, 2021
• Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival | September 7-12, 2021
• Cannes International Cinema Festival | August 31, 2021
• AWARD WINNER • Accolade Global Film Competition | August 24, 2021
• DC Black Film Festival Festival | Virtually, August 19-22 www.dcbff.org
• Hudson Valley Film Festival | Warwick Drive-In Movie, August 18th & 19th, 2021. hudsonvalleyfilmfest.com
• La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival | July 24, 2021
• Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase | July 14, 2021
• AWARDS WINNER • Cannes International Cinema Festival | July 9, 2021
• London Shorts | June 30, 2021
• Best Shorts Competition | June 15, 2021 *Winner Women Filmmakers
• Toronto International Women Film Festival | June 11, 2021
What People Are Saying
“The PRATT in the HAT is a beautiful short film. Dr. Pratt is wise, delightful, informative, and visually delicious. What a rich 15 minutes! Beautifully done.”
— Gloria Bonelli Goshen Arts Council
Bios
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:
Susan Hillary Shapiro has been making independent feature films and documentaries since the 1980s. Some of her films have premiered at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. The documentary “Studio 54” on which she was the archival cinematographer is streaming on netflix.
Link to Studio 54 film: netflix.com/title/81004511
ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
Suzanne Mitchell celebrates more than two decades of producing and directing documentary films, historical network series, and docudramas. As an accomplished producer and director of social, political, and environmental issue related films she has produced alongside highly acclaimed documentarians and is the recipient of two Emmys, two Gracie Awards, an Omni Intermedia Award, and a Cine Golden Eagle.
Link to Suzanne Mitchell portfolio: fullmotionpictures.com/portfolio.html
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