2024 FILM SELECTIONS
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR FILMMAKERS WHO WERE SELECTED IN THIS YEARS SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
2024 FEATURE FILMS
A FILM BY: CLAUDE ALINE-MILLER
Internationally celebrated, African-American artist Nick Cave inspired by the trauma of racial and social injustice, began creating as a means to cope with the struggles around him. Amidst this darkness, he not only discovered the beauty in imperfection but also found his voice and destiny. 376 Days documents Cave as he simultaneously prepares for a career-spanning survey show at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and his 80-piece, couture fashion performance “The Color Is”, inspired by the 1978 film The Wiz.
A FILM BY:
PEDRO GARCIA
The deteriorating state of wellness among our nation’s youth is a brewing health crisis hidden in plain sight. The narrow focus on academic performance continues to neglect vital aspects of youth development. Now, more than ever, we must summon the courage to challenge the outdated foundations our school systems were built upon and find ways to integrate wellness into a new form of curriculum. Our film examines the challenges students experience in the educational system through the lens of 2 youths – each in different parts of their educational paths. Through their journey, we get an intimate understanding of the beauty of their individuality & natural talents.
A FILM BY:
LEON LOZANO
Part narrative performance film, part documentary, A LITTLE HOPE FOR CHICAGO is a walk through the life of a Chicago hustler, narrowly avoiding the devastating consequences of death and incarceration, as he reflects on the systemic root causes of the violence and trauma that consume youth in urban centers like Chicago.
A FILM BY:
K. NICOLE MILLS
An exploration of cycling culture through the eyes of Ayesha McGowan who rose through the ranks of the New York City underground cycling world to break barriers as the world's first African American woman to become a professional cyclist.
A FILM BY:
TADESSA IMOBERSTEG
A father shows up unexpectedly to his daughter's house whom he hasn't seen in 13 years. Looking for her forgiveness, he intends to explain the reasons behind his absence in her life, but would that be enough to rekindle a relationship with her?
A FILM BY:
AARON CHAPMAN
Aaron Chapman presents a captivating glimpse into the ongoing career of his former teammate and friend, Sidney Jones IV, a professional athlete navigating triumphs and setbacks. This creative short chronicles Jones' journey of resilience and redemption amidst a career filled with adversity.
A FILM BY SFBFF ALUMN:
DR. TAMECCA ROGERS
After discovering her voluminous hair is her magical crown, Ameka, a spirited young girl, must harness its whimsical powers to protect her community, confront social issues, and learn the true meaning of empowerment and compassion while navigating a world where her hair has a mind of its own.
A FILM BY: TWON MARCEL POPE
A 90's couple comedically battles gender roles on a date.
A FILM BY: MARC JURE
When a Black timid and directionless freshman discovers his love for ballet, he must learn to fight for himself in a locker room full of rowdy boys.
A FILM BY:
BRITT WILLIAMS
Britt Williams is a writer/director based in Los Angeles. She is currently a Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award fellow. Her work uses humor to explore black characters who are suddenly confronted with their own internal contradictions.
A FILM BY: JUSTIN EMEKA
Set in the 90s during the "Golden Age" of Hip-hop. A talented MC living in obscurity in Seattle, WA must choose between fame and fatherhood when he finally gets the break he's been waiting for. Biological is a beautiful and authentic depiction of an unsung Black community living at the crossroads of mountains, water, and concrete.
A FILM BY: MARC STALLION
Lynn, a rookie journalist gets assigned on her first week to do an exclusive with Duffman Brown, a failed college football star. The narrative that her boss gives her to follow quickly falls apart as Duffman sees right through her attempts to make him look like a bad guy. Lynn learns who Duffman really is and changes the narrative of his article, her boss isn’t happy about this or Lynn’s new attachment to Duffamn.
After Duffman attempts to use Lynn as a suicide note, the two of them build a friendship while he’s in recovery. They agree to embark on a journey together to ensure that this will not happen to any other black boys like Duffman, suffering from mental health challenges.
A FILM BY: ANDRE LO SANCHEZ
The hairstyles of four Afro-descendant people from Mexican - Senegalese families represent the starting point to reflect, through memories that emerge from their past and present, what it is like to live in México wearing a Black Crown and the consequences that it implies. Winning of the 19th National Short Film Project Contest 2019 (Mexican Film Institute)
A FILM BY:
MARCO ANTONIO ORTEGA
This short documentary film tells the story of a man who uses his talents to support and lift his community. When the "Black Lives Matter" movement grew in awareness Marcus Baskerville, head brewer of Weathered Souls Brewing Co., wanted to shed light on the growing problem of inequality and police brutality. This is where the "Black is Beautiful" project was born. We follow the impact of the initiative and where it is today.
A FILM BY:
ROBERT DARWELL
In the early 1900s, African Americans struggled to have the honor to fight in World War I. Now, a century later, minorities are disproportionately called up to serve, defend, and die for their country. The United States cherishes the hard-fought glories of soldiers battling for the land they feel entitled to by right but too often overlooks the hardships of the Black men and women who have put their lives on the line for a country that hasn’t always afforded them their civil rights. "Black Uniform" features the voices of 12 Black veterans, serving within the ranges of WWII to the present day.
The film includes the now 103-year-old Romay Davis, one of the very few surviving members of the only Black female battalion sent overseas during World War II, and former Congressman Charles Rangel, who received the Purple Heart for his sacrifice during the Korean War. This film shares their heartfelt perspectives on what it felt like to be on the proverbial front lines as a Black man or woman in the U.S. military – covering the period when the military was still segregated.
A FILM BY:
ELIZABETH CARTER
50-something Louise is a native of West Oakland, California; a community once known as the Harlem of the West, which gave birth to the Black Panther Party. Gentrification has turned her beloved community into unfriendly and unrecognizable territory and the weight of being Black in America now threatens to crush her. She straps on the daily armor of alcohol, cigarettes, and a sharp tongue to block out the constant ache of losing everything that ever mattered.
On this day however, a door she has been banging on for years magically opens, an ancestor arrives to help and Louise battles her demons - and herself - in a desperate attempt to find the courage to walk the difficult path toward redemption.
A FILM BY:
RYAN COLE
Withering away in the Germantown nursing home, The Oldheads grow tired of the same routine. One day, OG’s grandson, Chauncey, visits and gifts his elders with a smartphone. This smartphone has the power to make their greatest dream come true; to become young again, thus… The Whippersnappers are born!
A FILM BY:
RYAN COLE
The saga continues as The Whippersnappers take their new skin out for a test drive! Oh yeah, it's jello day!
A FILM BY:
RYAN COLE
The sun is shining; birds are chirping and The Whippersnappers are on the way to the GOOD WHEEL thrift store. While fishing for vintage treasure, OG discovers a bargain bin of blackballed infamy. Unbeknownst of its notoriety, The Whippersnapper’s taboo'd apparel offends a merciless mob.
A FILM BY: MALIK J. ALI
Tobias, a young adult shaped by his influential surroundings, attempts to cope with the constant pressure of public perception. He adopts a lifestyle that's beyond his means, both financially and mentally, in a bid to fit in. As he grapples with the recent loss of his mother, Tobias embarks on a personal journey to maintain his sanity and moral values. 'Colored Tags' is a heartfelt exploration of a young man's struggle to find his place in a demanding world while dealing with grief and societal expectations.
A FILM BY: BRANDON LEAKE
Quentin, years after the unjust murder of his father at the hands of police, now grapples with both his faith and what to do, when the man who murdered his father, becomes a member of his church.
A FILM BY: NANA DUFFUOR
Maame is a God-fearing mother who wants nothing but the best for her son, Kojo. But when he befriends an out and proud, expressive young man in their church, Maame must confront her fear of accepting Kojo’s burgeoning sexual identity or risk losing him.
A FILM BY:
Raven Richardson
Tucked on the eastern shores of San Francisco Bay, is a place where residents wear their "Pride & Purpose" like a badge of honor. This is Richmond, California, brought to life in the captivating 14-minute documentary, "Community Love." You will be taken on a journey into the heart of Richmond. Through the voices of its citizens, "Community Love" paints a vivid portrait of the city's history. "Community Love". Corinthian 12: 26 if one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy.
CREDITS - An Alamo Consulting Group Global, We Rock with Talent, & Dark Network Digital Film.
Directed, Photographed, and Edited by Raven Richardson.
Produced by Tony Wilson
Executive Producer and Written by Stephane Aldridge and Rodney ‘Alamo’ Brown.
Music Composer Marvin Saucer
A FILM BY: CAMILLE NOCK & JAMES DARTNALL
Four young Malawian women share their journeys; from wanting to play football, being a lead guitarist, living with a disability, and supporting victims of sexual abuse. Each living their lives in the hope of inspiring other women to feel empowered.
A FILM BY: DEVIN McKAY
After his father's death, Isaac returns home to reconcile their complex relationship. Adapted from the novel by Dr. Daniel Black, Devin McKay's 'Don't Cry for Me' depicts a grieving son challenged with a decision - to hold onto anger or forgive.
A FILM BY: TYLER YOUNG
A raunchy comedian charged with tax fraud takes a job at her dad’s mortuary to pay off her debt and develops a supernatural gift of communicating with the dead.
A FILM BY: LESLIE CRUM
Cameron Crumley, aka Leslie Crum, is a writer/director from Roswell, GA. His films include Small Dogs (San Francisco Black Film Festival, 2020) and Functions, Unlimited (Onion City Film Festival, 2022). His work blends a passion for Southern Gothic and sci-fi literature with International and American independent film aesthetics.
A FILM BY: DIANNE HOUSTON
Based on the inspiring true story of Melony Armstrong. A mother who works at a shelter for battered women decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence for herself and others. To do so she must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.
A FILM BY: TOYE ARU
In 1960s Nigeria 13-year-old OBAFEMI ADIO happens upon Juju music as a street vendor at the night club in his neighborhood. He struggles to pursue his dream because his carpenter father, MUSILIU ADIO believes he should concentrate on the family profession instead.
A FILM BY: ALIKA MTEUZI
Major General Hadaya leads the Black and Indigenous Liberation Army (BILA) in an uprising to reclaim a society controlled by an oppressive regime. Set in the future, the film is a blend of encrypted broadcasts, surveillance, and psychic extractions detailing the 2033 rebellion. As the Liberation Army grapples with colonial domination, they employ undetectable, encrypted transmissions as a lifeline for a disconnected community, risking everything to stay one step ahead of detection. The story unfolds against a backdrop of tactical maneuvers and diplomatic struggles, revealing a world where war is a constant, but the hope for a peaceful, self-sustaining nation burns fiercely.
A FILM BY: FATIMA WARDY
When her hair braider disappears on her, a young woman must traverse an animated Ivory Coast in order to track her down.
A FILM BY: CAMERON TYLER CARR
An Afro-futurist scrapbook storytelling of a Harlem Black family's beautiful destruction during the 2008 recession. A natural disaster so mesmerizing you can't look away from the tragedy. Based on true events
A FILM BY: LAWRENCE JONES
In the dazzling realm of Los Angeles, "How to Make it in Hollywood, while being black" is a short animated film that humorously addresses the challenges faced by young Black Americans aspiring to conquer the movie & tv biz. All while dreaming of shattering the cultural glass ceiling that often casts shadows on their journey to success.
A FILM BY: SHEREAN JONES
Inspired by True Events. A PERPETUAL PEOPLE-PLEASER MUST COME TO TERMS WITH THE FINE LINE BETWEEN TACTLESS BOSSES, FREELOADING FUCK BUDDIES AND THE HONEST TRUTH OF TAKING ACTION AND GETTING THE LIFE YOU DESERVE
A FILM BY: JOHN BEDER
From Producer Ben Crump. America’s first hate group, the Ku Klux Klan, dealt out hatred and violence for over a century without penalty - until five Black women and a young Black civil rights lawyer finally forced them to pay for their crimes. The strength of these women and the groundbreaking 1982 civil case set forth by their attorney established a legal precedent that paved the road for today’s fight against organized hate.
A FILM BY: BRIAN LUCEAR
A (new) comedy writer experiences early career heights; when the newfound success goes to his head, his wife sends him to a therapist in a last-ditch effort to save their marriage.
A FILM BY: CHANCE CALLOWAY
The jewel-toned animation of queer teenage love is chronicled by guitar-playing mermen and the vocals of AJ Rafael and Chance Calloway.
A FILM BY: TIMIZA SANYIKA
Few television series were as innovative and influential as Soul Train, the longest-running syndicated show in television history airing from 1971 until 2006. Every Saturday morning host Don Cornelius and the iconic soul train dancers burst through our TV sets with a style and a groove that shifted the aesthetics and defined what black beauty, fashion, and dance looked like in America.
Generations of kids grew up watching the soul train dancers throwdown on the dance floor. They were recognizable faces, but we never knew their names or their stories until now. “I Was a Soul Train Dancer” is an award-winning mini-docs series that profiles some of the most recognizable and memorable soul train dancers from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s who take us back down the soul train line sharing behind-the-scenes details as they reflect on their time dancing on the hippest train in America.
A FILM BY: SAFIYA SONGHAI
When a bronze-skin bombshell rocks the world of Sunday Morning Football, millions tune in... but few know the tumultuous story of Jayne Kennedy, the first Black woman to boldly tackle the racial lines of American sportscasting.
A FILM BY: CHIQUITA LOCKLEY
A short documentary film about a family’s struggle to create a path to education for their children, against the backdrop of difficult living conditions as cocoa farmers in a remote village in Cote d’Ivoire. A US entrepreneur, Tanya James, and her family partner with an Ivorian-American businessman to create educational access that far exceeds the initial strategy of building brick and mortar schools.
A FILM BY: BEREKET TAFESSE LAKEW
Keffa The Curious Goat is inspired by the Ethiopian legend of coffee discovery which dates back to the early ninth century. A young goat herder named Kaldi and one of his curious charges (Keffa) came upon some unusual red berries. The two snacked and were jolted into a state of super-duper home-brewed energy. From playful antics to a supercharged energy, this whimsical journey captures the essence of discovery and the joyous origins of the second most traded commodity in the world - everyone's favorite caffeinated beverage.
A FILM BY: JEREMY GIVENS
KING’S initiative is a series of PSA’s highlighting and celebrating African American fathers of the past and present. These cinematic moments capture the spirit of fatherhood throughout generations escorted by characters who display their paternal instincts in a variety of ways.
A FILM BY: ASARI AIBANGBEE
A well-respected white therapist suggests a social media therapy app, called KULTUR, for two of her patients, both young and Black. One Trans/non-binary, the other Cisgender femme. Both are accompanied by their concerned parents who are conflicted and severely out of touch with the mental health space. Disguised as a self-help resource, KULTUR is in-fact a ploy to conduct a market study without the users’ consent. The app is programmed to manipulate and spawn toxic influences that prey on its users’ insecurities.
KULTUR explores notions of colorism, gender identity, body dysmorphia and the grasp that white supremacy has on vulnerable Black psyches.
A FILM BY: DOMINIC GILL
When visionary dancer Alvin Ailey founded a modern dance company to highlight African American stories in 1958, he pioneered a revelatory new style and opened doors for generations of dancers to follow. Alvin Ailey was a trailblazer who established the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to highlight African American narratives through movement. Founded in 1958 during the civil rights movement, the company popularized modern dance by making it accessible. Current
Artistic Director Robert Battle notes how Ailey triumphed over the challenges of his time to share his unique perspective. After overcoming the challenges of the Covid pandemic, the company has triumphantly reopened its permanent new home, a cutting-edge "dance utopia" custom-designed for its dancers. Ailey's genre-defining works, such as "Revelations," continue to resonate and inspire.
A FILM BY: KYVON EDWIN
A heartbroken West-Indian radio host hides his internal trauma from his unsuspecting radio callers as he struggles to heal and restore his peace of mind.
A FILM BY: ALICIA BUCKNER
“Light In Us Dark Ones,” a feature film directed by U.S. Navy Veteran Alicia "Ali" Buckner, tells the story of VISIONS co-founder, Dr. Valerie Batts’ early life. Inspired by true events, the film crafts a narrative of a young woman whose upbringing and connection to family and community leads her to take on big challenges and begin building a legacy of healing in a world steeped in division.
A FILM BY: JUSTICE4TYRANNY FARAJ
Little Nairobi is the untold stories of gentrification and local police corruption from the marginalized, black and brown residents in Silicon Valley's million-dollar ghetto. Under the context of the city of East Palo Alto being founded and rooted in the black power movement.
A FILM BY: BEN LALANDE
For most of their history, Ghanaian beaches were reserved solely for working men due to a prevailing fear of drowning in the village. This restriction barred women from enjoying the ocean, confining them to household chores. In 2013, a man named Justice spearheaded a transformative movement along with his six brothers with the establishment of the Obibini Surf Club.
This initiative not only challenged this gender-based inequality but also the cultural fear around drowning. The surf club empowered women, granting them rights and inspiring young girls to embrace surfing as a new passion. With a membership of over ten active female participants, the surf club stands as a testament to the brothers' impactful mission.
A FILM BY: LANSANA MANSARAY
On the day that Lansana Mansaray was born, a tree was planted in his name in his father’s Limba village. Now an Emmy and Peabody nominated filmmaker, Mansaray returns to the same village to better understand the essential relationship that Limbas share with the trees that define every aspect of community life.
As the smooth highways of Freetown give way to vermillion dirt roads, the car becomes just one means of transport; there’s the scent of chuk chuk plums, a memory of the Matorma sound (a singular rhythm associated with sacred Limba rituals), as well as jokes and poignant moments of connection arising from Mansaray’s diligent efforts to speak Limba.
For a “city Limba man” like Mansaray, returning to his deceased father’s homeland becomes a journey of Indigenous reclamation. But as Mansaray playfully lets the viewer know, some things should not be shared with the rest of the world.
A FILM BY: STARR NATHAN
Though she's been confident and in control her whole life, a young Brooklyn woman has trouble healing from heartbreak which encourages her to explore the root of her problems instead of only the symptoms that manifest it. Each stage of her journey presents fluid and poignant storytelling as a stream-of-consciousness with inter-connected vignettes to illustrate a contemporary look into the self-discovery journey love can bring you on.
A FILM BY: RICK PAGE
The end of a couple's life-long journey, as the love they've shared for nearly 70 years propels them into what comes next.
A FILM BY: BERVICK J. DECULUS II
It is the story of a young woman who struggles to free herself from a home filled with mankind’s most legendary evil force.
A FILM BY: KAREN BAPTISTE
Countless children are educationally lynched in the United States with labels such as emotionally disturbed and intellectually disabled, resulting in children under the age of 8 to be shuffled from school to prison for minor infractions. Meanwhile, investors are cashing in on this new form of slavery with Black & brown children being disproportionately impacted the most. Preschool to Prison is a compelling examination of how most schools in the United States are built and operated like prisons. These personal accounts from people affected by the school-to-prison pipeline give riveting tales about the generational impact on society.
A FILM BY: RACHAEL DANIELS
An undead white supremacist targets an African American teenager on the harsh, impoverished streets of North St. Louis. The film’s central question is simple, what would happen if your typical slasher villain skipped over the suburbs and infiltrated one of the most dangerous streets in America?
The residents of the fictionalized neighborhood, "Pruitt & Igoe", -named after the infamous St Louis Housing Projects of the 1950s- are no strangers to violence, so if you come to their hood, you better come correct. Shot directly on location in North St. Louis’s Walnut Park East neighborhood, Pruitt & Igoe looks to make its mark as a unique entry into the slasher genre.
A FILM BY: EVE A. MA
Rhythm and drums for the Yorubá ethnic group of Nigeria are vitally important - for community life, for traditional religious practice, for cultural identity ... AND for entertainment. Rasaki Aladokun, former drummer with the group of King Sunny Adé ("King of Juju Music") and a man with an infectious smile demonstrates the drums and explains how they are used.
A FILM BY: MELISSA JOYNER
Inspired by “The Woman with Two Skins” of Southern Nigeria, the story follows Young Thang, a human girl living within The Community, a place where humans are forbidden; deemed dangerous and ugly. To blend in and survive, Young Thang’s guardians urge her to wear a second skin to transform her appearance. After the pressure to conform pushes Young Thang to the brink, she unknowingly puts her beloved guardians and The Community in peril. Can Young Thang find the courage to reveal her full self and save the very beings that discriminate and suppress her?
A FILM BY: CELIA ANISKOVICH
Taking Back the Groove reintroduces the world to Bronx-born ’80s disco superstar Richie Weeks. A writer, singer, and producer who was compared to Quincy Jones at his height, Richie created quintessential New York Disco and performed in the likes of Studio 54 and Paradise Garage, all while maintaining day jobs as a postal worker and bricklayer.
While his ingenious mixes appealed to a kaleidoscope of glitter and lamé-clad partiers, his songs were never truly his own. Like many Black artists throughout American recording history, his talent was strip-mined to enrich white-owed record labels. When disco cooled down, Richie Weeks and many other artists like him faded from view. Taking Back the Groove tells the story of how Richie Weeks clawed back the rights to his own music in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and his ongoing fight to restore his legacy and share his music.
A FILM BY: PAOLO PATRUNO
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any industrialized country in the world. More than two women die every day in the US from pregnancy-related causes. African-American women in the US are at especially high risk; they are nearly 4 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications compared to European American. Through the documentary “the AMERICAN dream” the women tell their own stories: they know what is wrong, they share their hopes, they share their fears, and they share about their American dream, related to maternal health in the US. Perhaps it is time to listen.
A FILM BY: TAYLOR WALKER
After saving up enough money, a spunky, and ambitious Black girl named Kiki, is finally able to get her hands on her favorite treat - the Kool Cup. Unfortunately for her, the Candy Lady runs out. Desperate, Kiki must act boldly to finally get her hands on her favorite treat.
A FILM BY: SHELDYN “SAM” MOORE
Magic Strong, a bright, but struggling new 5th grade student, navigates his first day of school and makes friends with classmates, Rex and Reva. Their enchanting teacher, Mr. Gray encourages them to dream big and uses his magic powers to help the three kids soar.
A FILM BY: ROCHEE JEFFERY
After a drug with anti-aging properties has apocalyptic consequences, two Black sisters fight for their lives—and looks—in this satirical take on toxic beauty culture.
A FILM BY: JESSE KUBA
Devante and Liz run into each other at a house party on a starry night in San Francisco. There is an instant attraction. They ditch the party to explore San Francisco. As the night goes on, they begin to fall in love with each other and the city.
A FILM BY: CHRISTOPHER STOUDT
In 2016, the League of American Orchestras conducted a study that revealed a shocking statistic: only 1.8% of the professional orchestra workforce in the US is Black. From an old church rec room in the inner city of Los Angeles, former lawyer-turned-conductor Chuck Dickerson is on a mission to change that. Through ICYOLA - The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles — the largest majority Black orchestra in the country — Chuck is creating life-changing opportunities for his community that did not previously exist. The Orchestra Chuck Built is a loving portrait of a tireless mentor and a testament to the transformative power of music.
A FILM BY: SAMSON LOTHSCHUTZ
Charlotte and Samuel struggle to maintain their connection despite their different perspectives on generational trauma and love.
A FILM BY: MWITA CHACHA
Dorice's life in Nairobi, filled with love and promise, takes a tragic turn, stripping away all hope. Despite the pain, can she rediscover a path to the bright future her father envisioned for her?
A FILM BY: ROB M NEILSON
In THE WORD, billionaires decide to give African American's reparations for slavery...but there's a catch.
A FILM BY: LAWRENCE LEE WALLACE
Tobias, tormented by his mental illnesses, seeks solace in violence as he confronts those he perceives as his tormentors, unearthing a chilling darkness that questions the thin line between sanity and depravity.
A FILM BY: NANA KWABENA & ZAK CEDARHOLM
Amidst her village, Sumsun, being on the edge of extinction, an unforgiving desert warrior fights to protect the legacy of Palve, a sacred psychedelic fruit that connects its indigenous to the spiritual realm. The only way to experience the effects of this scarce and forbidden hallucinogenic is through the remaining villagers greatest form of protection; their hair.
A FILM BY: FELIX WAYNE JORDAN
An up-and-coming app developer with a troubled past struggles to break free from childhood trauma as he attempts to balance work, family, and a chaotic love life.
A FILM BY: DEE BROWN
Utilizing heartful interviews, game tape, and behind-the-scenes footage of the Jackson State University and the Jackson State University HBU Pro Day event, TIGER RUN: The Untold Story aims to pull back the curtain on Deion Sander’s mission to change the paradigm for all HBCU football players and bring equity back into the NFL draft system.
A FILM BY: KUDZAI TINAGO
The Baobab Tree Story is a short film to highlight the essence of the meaning of Ubuntu; I Am Because We Are. When a group of young children are given the opportunity to compete against each other, they choose the Path of Cooperation and in The Spirit Of Ubuntu they share the prize together.
A FILM BY: EDWARD C. BARTEL II
“Unbelievable!" provides the audience with a glimpse into the life of Art Williams. From his humble beginnings working alongside his mother and father in the cotton fields at the tender age of four, to his family’s experiences as part of the Great Migration, to breaking the color lines in the Detroit Tigers organization, working as a public servant, and ultimately becoming Baseball’s First Black National League Umpire. The story is told through the eyes of Art’s younger brother, Dr. Audie Williams.
A FILM BY: CAROLINE RENARD
Desperate to get her hair done before a big trip, Frankie navigates the streets of Los Angeles, facing rejection and obstacles at every turn in order to find someone, anyone, to braid her hair.
A FILM BY: MARC G PITRE
A vasectomy consultation goes awry as an unsure patient faces a quirky doctor and aggressive medical staff who don't want him to remain intact.
A FILM BY: JASON BLALOCK & BRYAN WILEY
Three former residents of Oakland CA tell their stories of leaving the city they called home. Two of the three have now died--one of murder--showing the high tragically cost of housing instability.
A FILM BY: JADE BRYAN
In this gentrified Harlem dramedy series, Somalia LaMine, a Black deaf fashion designer, pop-up store owner, and TikTok influencer experiences new challenges and hilarious situations associated with the pressures and demands of a Gen Z era.
A FILM BY: PAUL ANTHONY NOTICE II
After “Peer Consumption” is legalized in this world, their utopian governance and ideals like universal healthcare, universal education, universal employment, and a Ban on Police are overshadowed by a predatory housing market paired with vampiric cannibalism. Desperate to pay rent, or risk being eaten alive, Willow, a brooding elected observer of alt worlds & timelines - better known as a Griot - navigates her way to Power.
Though a standalone short film, “Willow,” also lays the groundwork for an Afrofuturist TV series that wields the non-linear nature of time & alt world travel as a vehicle to examine the ways in which sociopolitical events of the past impact the present and future.
A FILM BY: MARIAM BARRY
A young girl must answer to her ancestors in the spirit realm as she faces her upcoming abortion to make peace with her right to choose. Yaye is a short film that paints a heartfelt and intimate story of the right to choose. Told from the perspective of a young Black girl's experience, an underrepresented voice in this topic, we witness our protagonist Aaliyah navigate a fragile health system. As Aaliyah's life uproots due to her youth pregnancy, the larger world around her ignites in chaos. Aaliyah's interracial relationship with her white boyfriend gets put to the test as they decide to end their pregnancy.