Though devastation from May’s flood caused many organizations to cancel their upcoming events in Nashville, the operators of the International Black Film Festival of Nashville 2010 say they will go on as planned.

The 4th Annual International Black Film Festival of Nashville (IBFFN takes place in the heart of Music City starting on Sunday, Sept. 26th and ending Saturday, Oct. 2nd.

Throughout the week, participants will have the opportunity to view “unreleased,” independent and studio films, and take part in industry level workshops and high profile red carpet events with a host of celebrities.

Multi-talented actor, choreographer, producer and director Debbie Allen is this year’s honorary co-chair said.

“We have a responsibility to create positive and accurate imagery in all that we do, as it will leave a defined blueprint for future generations, especially in the area of cinematic arts,” said Allen.  “The stories we leave – our story, from a true and real perspective, will be one of the most valuable gifts for all people, from one generation to the next.”

This year’s official host sites will be the Sarratt Student Center, The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center, and Buttrick Hall of Vanderbilt University as well as the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

 “We are both pleased and excited to have the opportunity to host The International Black Film Festival Nashville here at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel,” said Tom Negri, managing director for Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. “Nashville is known as the Music City, but is home to such varied talent in both film and music, bringing both together is perfect for this, America’s Friendliest City.”

Frank Dobson, director of The Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University, noted that the festival has grown in scope and prestige each year.

“The International Black Film Festival of Nashville is a culturally rich event, one which brings to our community a variety of films and a host of filmmakers whose work we might not otherwise see,” said Dobson.

The festival kicks off with a Film and Faith Series on Sunday hosted by David Lipscomb University. Ted Parks, associate professor of Spanish and coordinator of Lipscomb’s Human Doc series said Lipscomb is thrilled to partner for the first time with the International Black Film Festival.

“The growing festival complements Lipscomb’s expanding interest in film, evident in the second season of the Human Docs social-justice documentary series hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences,” said Parks. “We believe IBFFN will not only offer our students access to important films and filmmakers, but eventually give them the chance to learn the inside story of how a film festival gets put together.”

An estimated 3,000-plus people attended the festival in 2009.

“Film festivals are one of the most popular forms of expression in the African American community and other cultures of color, providing an unprecedented and ongoing platform for the continuing and evolving oral traditions of the diverse global culture,” said founder and CEO Hazel Joyner-Smith.

 “Out of the over 4,000 film festivals in existence, only a small percentage are ethnically, culturally or racially based. Acceptance from the local and global community is confirmation that the festival is relevant and the response has been phenomenal.”

While plans for the festival are being updated daily, the “Fast Pitch Session,” where filmmakers have the opportunity to pitch their projects, in person, to top industry executives, returns in the festival line-up for a third year.

The festival is made possible in part with the support of HCA-Tristar, The Film House, The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, One Village Entertainment, the Africa Channel, The Tennessee Arts Commission, The TN Film, Entertainment and Music Commission and The Screen Actors Guild.