Kweighbaye Kotee is a triple threat. She has made a name for herself as an entrepreneur, 
filmmaker and TV host. Kweighbaye is founder and CEO of The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF), a film and media company founded in 2007 that exhibits independent film and content year round via digital and broadcast networks, which culminates in a four-day festival of film screenings, workshops, and panel discussions with industry leaders each year in October. As a talk-show host, she wrote and created Indie Cinema New York (ICNY) airing on BRIC, Time Warner, Verizon, and Cablevision networks. She is currently working on two new projects: directing a new feature documentary and developing a female empowerment through digital storytelling workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. Both projects are set to be completed later this year.
Virgo Girl Media had a chance to talk with the all-empowering Kweighbaye Kotee about her career, personal life, and how she is able to love what she does.
Virgo Girl Media: You are the creator of the Bushwick Film Festival . . . Congratulations on starting a cultural institution in my hometown of Brooklyn. What inspired you to start the festival and what does it offer?
Kweighbaye: When I was about seven I went to the movies for the first time and had this feeling of why wasn’t I aware of this sooner? Later I discovered independent film when I first moved to New York by hanging out with friends at NYU Tisch. The first festival I believe I attended was the 2003 or 2004 TriBeCa Film Festival. Again, I felt “well dang, how come I wasn’t aware that this incredible world of film festivals existed sooner.” Why hadn’t it reached me? So, when I moved to Bushwick years later I saw that the neighborhood was similar to the community in which I grew up but it was also full of creative types, artists, and entrepreneurs like myself. I realized it was the perfect place to bring a festival.
Virgo Girl Media: What can we expect from the festival this year?
Kweighbaye: This year will be exciting! Most of our sponsors have already agreed to come back and submission inquiries have already started rolling in. We started year-round programming for the first time and it includes filmmaking workshops, female empowerment workshops, summer screenings and mixers throughout Brooklyn, and of course the 8th Annual Festival in October. I really can’t believe we turn eight this year! We will focus on getting more talent to participate. Also, the programming team will pay closer attention to diversity and strong female roles.
Virgo Girl Media: What has been one of the biggest accomplishments as a result of starting the festival?
Kweighbaye: I’ll name two. Being able to have a strong economic impact in an underserved community and inspiring young women like me to believe that their big dreams are possible.
Virgo Girl Media: You tell stories through film based on your history of surviving violence in your home country. Please tell us about your experience in Liberia and how you incorporate this into film.
Kweighbaye: First, let me say that I never experienced direct violence while living in Liberia. My family and I were fortunate and received political asylum to leave Liberia before the war was full blown. However, I did experience the aftermath of war and what it does to the psyche and the family unit. The way the civil war has directly impacted me was by allowing me to have the immigrant experience in America. Parents having to restart their lives in their mid thirties, leave their friends and the majority of their family behind, not being able to work in the U.S., and pretty much going through years of economic hardships. So, in terms of storytelling and filmmaking, I pay close attention to communities whose individuals struggle with raising their voices and telling their own stories.
Virgo Girl Media: Did you always have the American Dream to be an entrepreneur and creative spirit?
Kweighbaye: I def always had the spirit and liked doing things my way. And for as far back as I can remember I always wanted to be the best at everything that I pursued. But being an entrepreneur wasn’t on my radar. Didn’t even know what that was. Thinking back to when I was young I loved to perform at family parties and such. When I got a little older I started pursuing sports and grew to really love and got really good at basketball. Basketball is what I did, all the time, every day from sun up to sun down from the age of eleven to eighteen. My plan then was to be a professional basketball player but when I left Blair Academy, my high school, and started playing at NYU that plan came to a tragic end. My coach there was verbally abusive and I was too sensitive to take it so I withdrew, started hating the sport, and later got asked to leave the team. I was devastated. But since I had the fighting spirit, was resourceful and adventurous (all characteristics of an entrepreneur, I suppose), I started venturing out, trying new things, hanging out with all types of people and going to cultural events and the like. It also helped that my major was media, culture, & communications. Eventually, I ended up with a deep love for film, particularly indie films.
Virgo Girl Media: At only thirty-one you have done a lot; you’re an entrepreneur, a filmmaker, a dancer, a creative. What do you do for downtime?
Kweighbaye: I do yoga. I play basketball every once in a while. I call my friends and family to catch up. I have a journal, a blog, a gratitude book, and I’m working on finishing a novel . . . so I write a lot. And I try to do something new and exciting often. I also meditate and do self-growth work. That’s my downtime.
Virgo Girl Media: Outside of the Bushwick Film Festival, what is your favorite festival to attend and why?
Kweighbaye: The Berlin International Film Festival! It is such a great experience. The historic and grand theaters, the beautiful city of Berlin and the festival is made very accessible to the public. Love that!
Virgo Girl Media: Favorite movie? Favorite actor to work with (in the past or in the future)?
Kweighbaye: Hmm. I have lots of movies that I love so at the moment I can’t choose just one. But I generally love movies that have clearly changed the game. Of course, my favorite actress would have to be my bestie, Diarra Kilpatrick, who is starring in her own web series American Koko, has a movie coming out with J-Lo and Viola Davis, and currently writes for NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura. She is fierce and was one of the people who inspired me to jump into the entertainment industry.
Virgo Girl Media: February is not only #BlackHistoryMonth but the month of love, so is there someone special in your life? How do you balance being in a relationship or dating?
Kweighbaye: Yes, there is someone special! I have to say dating hasn’t always been something I’ve been successful at for many reasons including my tendency to dream big. But after a few crash and burns, I’ve learned quite a few lessons including “one step at a time” lol. So in my current relationship, it’s been slow and steady but it is blossoming quite nicely.
Virgo Girl Media: Have you ever thought of doing a documentary on your personal journey?
Kweighbaye: I absolutely have and plan to! It would be about my journey and also going back home to Liberia. I haven’t been there in twenty-eight years and plan to go this year.
Virgo Girl Media: You received a scholarship to Blair Academy where you excelled in academics, became a basketball star, and did dance/choreography, then went to get a degree from NYU in media, culture and communications. What’s next for you (as if that wasn’t a mouthful already, LOL)?
Kweighbaye: Ha ha. Well I’m definitely going to stay in the film, media, and entertainment industry. Luckily this industry allows you to be both creative and business oriented. So for me it’s the best of both worlds. However, I do want to focus a little more on my creative side over the next few years. I have two unfinished novels and a screenplay that I would like to complete and I’m currently directing my first documentary, The Bushwick Diaries.
Virgo Girl’s Five (Quick) Things to Ask:
What would you tell your twenty-one-year-old self?
Kweighbaye: Love Yourself. ALWAYS. No exceptions.
I start my day with . . .
Kweighbaye: A deep breath, prayer, tea, and meditation.
If you could invite any woman to dinner who would it be?
Kweighbaye: Oprah!
Best advice you received?
Kweighbaye: Love Yourself. ALWAYS. No exceptions.
Life motto you live by . . .
Kweighbaye: Memento mori—remember that you will die. This may sound like a downer but it really keeps me at 100 percent, reminds me of the transient nature of things, allows me to appreciate moments, friends, and family, and makes it easier for me to let go of bad feelings and fears.
Join Virgo Girl Media (@VirgoGirlMedia) and Kweighbaye Kotee (@Kweighbaye), Wednesday, February 28th, 2015 at 8 PM EST for a Twitter Chat! We will be talking about how to love what you do in business and in life! Tune in to join the conversation! #LoveWhatYouDo