ALMATY INDIE FILM FESTIVAL
Jahan Nostra "Embrace The Rain"

Overview
The video follows its lead, Alex Manon, through moments in his life as a homeless teenager in Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn, NY). Manon who makes his acting debut in the video, brings to life the video’s poignant subject matter.

Director Biography — Jamil Hannibal Wilson (Director), Shane McLellan (Director of Photography)

Jamil Hannibal Wilson is an American actor, director, writer and producer as well as a rapper and songwriter under the stage name, Jahan Nostra. In his early childhood, Jamil lived in Mount Vernon, NY – hometown to Denzel Washington, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Phylicia Rashad whose influence he credits for inspiring him to pursue a career in entertainment. At the age of 9 years old, Jamil began to develop his talent by writing and performing songs. Jamil's Mother - well aware of her son's talent - enrolled her son in lessons at the Steps Dance School (Stamford, CT), where he excelled as a talented dancer and performer. Jamil continued to pursue his passion for theater by acting in plays, such as Les Misérables and as Romeo in Romeo & Juliet. He also acted in two films, including the independent film Canadia (shot in Yonkers, NY). Leveraging his experience, Jamil began producing, writing, and acting in music videos: "Truthfully," "Days Are Gone," and "Mixed Feelings." In 2015, Jamil wrote, produced and acted in the music video, "Welcome Home (The Return)," filmed and edited by Shane McLellan (of Shane Films). The video's storyline - loosely based on Rocky - was inspired by Ryan Coogler's 2015 film, CREED. Later that year, Jamil wrote, produced, directed and acted in the music video, "Living Your Life," shot in Brooklyn by Ken Keeler, Jr. Jamil and Jacob Hernandez star in the video, which also features Soul Singer, Omar Wilson and International Jazz Saxophonist, Eric Wyatt (Sonny Rollins' Godson). Most recently, in 2017, Jamil wrote and directed the music video starring Alex Manon, "Embrace The Rain" filmed by Shane McLellan (of Shane Films). The storyline of the video centers around the important issue of youth homelessness. Since its release in September of 2017, "Embrace The Rain" has received worldwide attention with features in Huff Post, SoulBounce, The Fresh Committee, Do Hip Hop (South Africa), IGGY Magazine (Paris, France), FRESH! Hip-Hop and R&B (Netherlands), Daily-HipHop (Switzerland), and several other publications. In June of 2018, Jamil hosted an "Embrace The Rain" film screening event at the Gramercy Theatre (New York, NY). The event featured a screening of “Embrace The Rain” followed by celebrity panels on youth poverty and mental health. The event was hosted by Danielle Young of The Root & ESSENCE, featured live music by Jahan Nostra & Southwind Social Club, and featured several celebrity panelists including, Pharoahe Minch, Felonious Munk, Chuck Creekmur and Bassey Ikpi. Proceeds for the event were donated to The Robin Hood Foundation for programs that benefit homeless youth.
Director Statement
“Being homeless is usually thought of as being something that impacts older people. But in reality, there are 1.7 million youth experiencing homelessness in this country. There are 50,000 kids who sleep on the streets for six months or more each year. And 1 in every 5 children between the ages of 10 and 18 will run away from home.” - Jamil Hannibal Wilson (Jahan Nostra)
Credits
- Director
- Jamil Hannibal Wilson (Director)
- Director
- Shane McLellan (Director of Photography)
- Writer
- Jamil Hannibal Wilson
- Producer
- Jamil Hannibal Wilson
- Producer
- Shane McLellan
- Key Cast
- Alex Manon
- Key Cast
- Jahan Nostra
- Key Cast
- Jonathan Giraldo
- Key Cast
- Madison Giraldo
- Key Cast
- Bob Albert
- Special Assistant to Director & Producer
- Eileen Finegan
- Cinematography
- Shane McLellan
- Film Editing
- Shane McLellan
Specifications
- Original title
- Jahan Nostra "Accueille La Pluie" / Jahan Nostra "Embrace The Rain"
- Project type
- Music Video, Short
- Genres
- Music Video, Hip Hop, Soul, Music, Drama, Short
- Runtime
- 4 minutes 3 seconds
- Completion date
- September 27, 2017
- Production budget
- 1,500 USD
- Country of origin
- United States
- Countries of filming
- United States
- Language
- English
- Shooting format
- Digital HD
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9
- Film color
- Color
- First-time filmmaker
- No
- Student project
- No
- Digital Cinema Package
- Unavailable
Awards & Festivals
Jahan Nostra: "Embrace The Rain" Film Screening & Youth Homelessness Fundraiser at The Gramercy Theatre (New York, NY)
New York, NY
United States
June 24, 2018
Top Indie Film Awards
March 23, 2018
Winner: Best Music Video Award / Nominee: Best Editing
Independent Shorts Awards
Los Angeles
United States
April 1, 2018
Honorable Mention: Best Music Video
Snowdance Film Awards
Los Angeles
United States
March 31, 2018
Best Music Video - Runner-Up
Hip Hop Film Festival
New York, NY
United States
August 2, 2018
Nominee: Best Music Video
Columbus Black International Film Festival
Columbus, OH
United States
August 24, 2018
Official Selection
Almaty Indie Film Festival
Almaty
Kazakhstan
July 18, 2018
Official Selection
Colorado International Activism Film Festival
Denver, CO
United States
July 14, 2018
Award Winner & Official Selection
Brooklyn Music Week: Music Video Film Festival
Brooklyn, NY
United States
August 30, 2018
Official Selection
Urban Mediamakers Film Festival
Atlanta, GA
United States
October 14, 2018
Best Music Video: Winner, 3rd Place
Indie Memphis Film Festival
Memphis, TN
United States
November 3, 2018
Official Selection
New York International Infest Film Festival: Cinépolis Chelsea
New York, NY
United States
October 31, 2018
Winner: Best Music Video Award
California Indie Film Festival
Burlingame, California
United States
September 17, 2018
Official Selection
World Music & Independent Film Festival
Washington D.C.
United States
January 12, 2019
Nominee: Best Hip Hop Music Video
World Music & Independent Film Festival
Washington D.C.
United States
January 12, 2019
Best Cinematography in a Music Video
World Music & Independent Film Festival
Washington D.C.
United States
January 12, 2019
Most Creative Music Video
Miami Short International Cinefest
Miami
United States
December 22, 2018
Winner: Best Music Video Award
Golden Door International Film Festival
Jersey City, NJ
United States
September 20, 2019
Winner: Best Music Video Award
Nassau Film Festival
Princeton, NJ
United States
May 12, 2018
Winner: Best of Fest: Best Music Video Award
