Private Project

The Colored Girls' Restroom

“The Colored Girls‘ Restroom' is Part 1 in a series of historical fiction short films called "Debutales" that take place from 1960 -1965. It has a comedic yet emotional tone. A racist shop owner is moved by the transformation and creativity of the “Colored Only Restroom” in her boutique by her African American Debutante clientele. This film explores emotion, fashion, sophistication and laughs during a dark time in American history.

  • Savannah Treena
    Director
  • Savannah Treena
    Writer
  • Savannah Treena
    Producer
  • Laura Doman
    Key Cast
    "Ms. Rose"
  • Jennifer Elgin
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Nelson"
  • Kali McMillin
    Key Cast
    "Susan"
  • Kimbu Kimra
    Wardrobe
    Wardrobe Department Head/Stylist
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 5, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HDV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Women and Film and Television Intl
    Minneapolis
    United States
    March 8, 2018
    North America
    Official Selection
  • The 2018 Black Web Fest
    New York
    United States
    April 13, 2018
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 25th Annual Sista's are Doin it for Themselves Film Festival
    Hollywood
    United States
    March 10, 2018
    North America
    Official Selection
  • National Black Film Festival
    Houston
    United States
    May 4, 2018
    North America
    Official Selection
  • 2018 WilmFFilm Chick Flicks Festival
  • Female Film Makers Film Festival
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    May 9, 2018
    North America Premiere
    Selected
  • Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center
    Hollywood, CA
    United States
    North American Premiere
    Selected
  • SSU Indie Film Festival
    Savannah, GA
    United States
    April 25, 2018
    North American Premiere
    2018 Jeanette Coleman Riley Outstanding Filmmaker Award
Distribution Information
  • Amazon
    Country: United States
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Savannah Treena

Director, writer producer Savannah Treena was born Patrina Wright on September 7, 1973 in Savannah, GA. She has written several films and pieces of literature including The Colored Girls' Restroom, Rotten Rabbits, Roses are Red, The Atlanta Divorced Woman's Chronicle, cookbooks and a host of others works. Treena's inspiration for Diamond Belles comes from her Mother and Grandmother who often told her stories about times preceding and proceeding the enforcement of The Civil Rights Act in the south. The conditions of the colored only restrooms inspired the first film of the short film historical fiction series "Diamond Belles" which begins with "The Colored Girls' Restroom". Treena is an empty nester residing in Atlanta, GA with her husband.

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Director Statement

The Colored Girls' Restroom is based on one of many stories my Mother and Grandmother's spoke about surrounding the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act in the South. I can remember thinking about the stories as I pretended to sleep at night and imagining how they must have felt or looked during those dark times American history. They would always say that woman had a comradery that was paramount back then. The Colored Girls' Restroom is a dramatization and sensitization of their experiences powered by my imagination.