ABFF MASTERCLASS : The Art of Emotional Writing with Randall Dottin

The Art of Emotional Writing: Engaging Audiences Scene by Scene

The phrase write what you know is a cornerstone of storytelling advice, but it’s only part of the equation. Great writing isn’t just about facts—it’s about feelings. Emotion is the heartbeat of every great story, and creating it is a skill every storyteller should master. In this two hour workshop, Randall Dottin— Chair of the New York Film Academy Screenwriting Department, Sundance grant recipient and winner of the 2022 ABFF Award for Best Web Series —will guide you through tools and techniques to make your stories emotionally resonant. With the help of curated short film clips, writing exercises, and open discussion, you’ll learn how to make every scene in your film leave a lasting impression.

About the Instructor:

Randall Dottin

Randall Dottin directs both fiction and non-fiction films. His work focuses on how resistance, history and memory serve as either aids or obstacles in the creation of Black identity. He received his BA from Dartmouth and his MFA from the Columbia University Graduate Film Division. His thesis film A-ALIKE was licensed for a two-year broadcast run by HBO and won numerous awards including the Gold Medal at the Student Academy Awards. His second short LIFTED was sponsored by Fox Searchlight’s program for emerging directors - the Fox Searchlab. Lifted premiered on CBS as part of a collection of short films. Randall wrote and directed FEVAH, a short film starring Russell Hornsby (The Hate U Give, Fences) and LaRoyce Hawkins (Chicago PD). His documentary series THE HOUSE I NEVER KNEW received a grant from the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund. Recently, Dottin co-wrote, co-directed and produced MINE, an animated series whose pilot premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, won the award for Best Animated Film at the 2022 Denton Black Film Festival as well as the award for Best Web Series at the 2022 American Black Film Festival. Dottin is Chair of the Screenwriting Department at New York Film Academy’s New York City campus where his former students have won screenwriting awards, film festivals and have recently began careers as staff writers and producers on American, South African and European television shows.

About the American Black Film Festival

Now celebrating its 29th year, the American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent. An event like no other, the festival brings together enthusiasts of Black culture alongside industry executives and content creators from across the globe for five days filled with screenings, engaging talk events, exclusive parties, and invaluable networking opportunities.

Host or Publisher American Black Film Festival