CELEBRATION OF 25 YEARS OF “RESILIENCE AND EMPOWERMENT”NOW THRU FATHER’S DAY WILL CLOSE THE KICK OFF OF THE YEARLONG FETE W/ “SURROUNDED” STARRING BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER STAR “LETITIA WRIGHT”
“Surrounded” directed by Anthony Mandler is the Crowning Jewel on Closing Day of SFBFF XXV’s kick off with short films: “A Stranger’s Story” by James Batiste & Alonzo Waller and “Third Baptist Church” by Kevin Epps at AMC Kabuki 8 Theatre.
Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises Community Spotlight San Francisco~Dallas
San Francisco, CA- Held during June “Black Music Month” over Juneteenth and Father’s Day Weekend, The San Francisco Black Film Festival XXV continues through Sunday, June 18th with closing ceremonies at AMC Kabuki 8 Theatre, 1881 Post Street, San Francisco. It’s a confluence of life and art as the closing film “Surrounded” by Anthony Mandler, starring Letitia Wright of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever epitomizes this year’s festival theme of “Resilience and Empowerment!”
In “Surrounded,” Letitia Wright stars as an intrepid and heroic female Buffalo Soldier. Five years after the Civil War, freedwoman and former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington travels west to lay claim on a gold mine- the summation of years of toil for Mo and her community. It is a mean, dangerous world for an unaccompanied Black woman in 1870 America and so Mo travels into the deep frontier disguised as a man. After her stagecoach is ambushed by a group of murderous thieves, Mo is forced to hold legendary outlaw Tommy Walsh captive while the remaining surviving passengers seek out help. What ensues is a battle of wills, blurring the line between captor and captive, as they both try to survive the harsh western landscape. Directed by Anthony Mandler and written by Andrew Pagana & Justin Thomas and Andrew Pagana, the film stars Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, Jeffrey Donovan, with Brett Gelman and Michael K. Williams.
“Surrounded” with its Buffalo Soldier storyline aligns with Juneteenth. In addition, the strong female lead of “Letitia Wright” is a salute to the character of the founder of the San Francisco Black Film Festival, the late Ave Montague. “On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the festival, it’s great to have such a positive film about a strong Black woman that aligns with my grandmother’s founding principles to create a platform for the stories of the worldwide African Diaspora that are affirming and uplifting,” said Cree Ray, Executive Director of the San Francisco Black Film Festival. “Surrounded” is also an affirmation of the resilience of the San Francisco Black Film Festival that has experienced recent loss of leadership.
“Our theme this year is “25 Years of Resilience and Empowerment” as we continue with our motto “Healing the World One Film at A Time” and the festival welcomes our independent filmmakers and everyone who has loved our mission to provide a platform for the positive narrative of the African Diaspora as we work with independent and established filmmakers,” added Ray.
The majority of films, parties and panels will be held at the African American Arts & Culture Complex (AAACC), 762 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 with the finale event, closing day at AMC Kabuki 8 Theatres, 1881 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 in the Fillmore where the San Francisco Black Film Festival was founded by Ave Montague.
The closing day feature film “Surrounded” on Father’s Day, June 18th at AMC Kabuki 8, “Surrounded” will screen at 2:30 p.m. preceded by two short films.
A perfect film selection during Black Music Month, the first is a 15-minute film “A Stranger’s Story” by James Batiste and directed by Alonzo Waller, about the progenitor of “NOLA’s Royal Family of Music” John “J.J.” Batiste, who inspired a family of musicians including grandson, EGOT - winner Jon Batiste, former band leader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “A Stranger’s Story” is a great tribute to fatherhood.
The second film is a 45-minute documentary, “Third Baptist Church” by local award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps about the juggernaut of the 170-year-old spiritual, social justice organization known for regenerating people. “Third Baptist Church” speaks to the resilience of Black people that is an inspiration for all people. Third Baptist Church is now led by Dr. Amos Brown, President of the San Francisco NAACP.
Doors open at the AMC Kabuki 8 Theatre, 1881 Post Street, San Francisco 94115, at 1 p.m. and screening will begin promptly as soon as the audience is seated. Photo Ops with filmmakers will be possible after the screenings. Please note that Ms. Wright will not be in attendance but she has sent a message to be shown before “Surrounded.”
For details of the closing day films and others, visit www.sfbff.org. Click on “films” at the top of the menu. For direct link for closing day tickets click here.
The San Francisco Black Film Festival thanks sponsors: “Surrounded”; AAACC; The San Francisco Housing and Development Corporation; Hylife-Ocity Productions; SF Giants; The New Community Leadership Foundation; Durban International Film Festival; Honey Art Studio; and NOSACONN; For a complete list visit www.sfbff.org. There is still time to support individually or to become a sponsor as the anniversary will be celebrated through 2024. For more information contact Cree Ray, creeray@sfbff.org.
###
"Surrounded" photo credit: Richard Foreman
Trailers: "Surrounded": https://youtu.be/QApyr4fuzYI
"A Stranger's Story":https://youtu.be/Acvk0BSkV44
“Third Baptist”: https://youtu.be/GiUojqQRNlc
Jackie Wright - jackiewright@wrightnow.biz | President