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. When he was 19, he purchased an 8mm motion picture camera from a pawn shop and began making experimental films and music videos From 1994 to 1996, French attended Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Georgia, he worked as a music video production assistant for “Creep” by TLC, “Call Therapy” by Goodie Mob, “Benz or a Beemer” by Outkast, and “Tonight” by Xscape. 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 and aired on the BET series Lens on Talent in 2009. It was shown at the San Francisco Film Festival and the Spaghetti Junction Urban Film Festival.

Pay Respects (2015)

A selectee of the Kansas City Film Festival in 2016, ‘’Pay Respects’’ is an experimental short film about the history of African American music.

Kansas City Dreamin’ : Music in the Shadows (2016)

Kansas City Dreamin’ is a documentary highlighting the Kansas City Jazz community, specifically the work of Bobby Watson. The film also includes Kansas City natives Janelle Monae, Marva Whitney and Tech N9ne, in order to “inspire the next generation, those kids who are in Paseo [High School] now.”

A Song For You (2019)

A love story about a soul singer and what inspires him to make music.

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. His photographs, shot in black and white without studio lighting, capture the Kansas City Jazz scene. Saxophonist Bobby Watson once told French, “You really captured something. You’re not just taking pictures, you’re documenting,” something that French says he will always remember.

Style and Influence

French uses black and white film to create a sense of timelessness in his films and photographs. He says he wants his work “to never go out of style.” Jazz music has had a huge influence on French. Growing up he wanted to be a musician.

Solo Exhibitions

• 2013-2014, KC Swing, The Box Gallery, Kansas City MO
• 2013 Vine Street Studio, Kansas City MO

Group Exhibitions

• 2017 ArtsKC, Kansas City MO
• 2015 American Jazz Museum
• 2011 The Note Illustrated Buttonwood Art Space, Kansas City MO
• 2011 Reflections of Jazz American Jazz Museum, 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
• 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