Diallo Javonne French

Diallo Javonne French (born 1971 in Kansas City) is a filmmaker and photographer. His film May This Be Love aired on the BET program Lens on Talent in 2009 and won first place at the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival.

Early life French grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He started out as a musician but switched to filmmaking at 19 years old when he bought an 8mm camera from a pawn shop. He taught himself production shooting creating 8mm and 16mm short films. In 2001 French returned to Kansas City and began working at the American Jazz Museum in the historic 18th and Vine district which sparked his interest in jazz photography.

Film career

May This Be Love (2006) In 2006 French wrote and directed the short film ‘’May This Be love’’, starring Kevin “Kre8” Browne and Keisha McGautha. The film, shot in black and white 35 mm, follows the story of two lovers set against the backdrop of jazz music and a poem by Kansas City poet Glenn North. May This Be Love won first place at the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival in 2007 and aired on the BET series Lens on Talent in 2009.

A Song For You (2019) A love story about a soul singer and what inspires him to make music. It stars Kansas City native Anthony Saunders who is a singer songwriter. The film includes music from Kansas City jazz, R&B, and hip hop artists, and "a percentage of the film's proceeds will go towards music education in the Kansas City area".

Photography career French's photography has been showcased in venues such as the American Jazz Museum, The Box Gallery, Buttonwood Art Space, and on Hallmark cards. 2013, Jazz Photography, Vine Street Studio, Kansas City MO

Group exhibitions 2018 What's Going On, Leedy-Voulkos Art Gallery, Kansas City, MO

Screenings 2017 National Archives at Kansas City 2017 ArtsKC 2016 Black Archives of Mid America 2009 BET airing

Awards and recognitions 2016 Selectee Kansas City Film Festival 2014 Trailblazer honor Kansas City Jewish Film Festival 2010 Selectee Kansas City Urban Film Festival 2007 Selectee San Francisco Film Festival 2007 Selectee Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival 2007 1st-place winner Urban Mediamakers Film Festival 2006 Selectee Urban Film Series