“ADVERSITY” by Jay C. Williams Opening Day Film of the San Francisco Black Film Festival XXV, Celebrating 25 Years of "Resilience and Empowerment"
From AAACC to AMC Kabuki 8 Theater, Check out the Year-long Launch of the San Francisco Black Film Festival, XXV
Posted Courtesy of Wright Enterprises Community Spotlight San Francisco~Dallas
San Francisco Black Film Festival
1755 O’Farrell St. Suite 309
San Francisco, CA 94115
THE SAN FRANCISCO BLACK FILM FESTIVAL XXV, KICKS OFF A YEAR-LONG
CELEBRATION OF 25 YEARS OF “RESILIENCE AND EMPOWERMENT” WITH
OPENING DAY FILM “ADVERSITY” EPITOMIZING ITS THEME
The San Francisco Black Film Festival XXV, 25 Years of Resilience and Empowerment is
Slated Today Spanning Juneteenth and Father’s Day Weekend.
San Francisco, CA- The San Francisco Black Film Festival (SFBFF) is traditionally held during June “Black Music Month” over Juneteenth and Father’s Day Weekend. Under third-generation leadership, the San Francisco Black Film Festival in life and art is demonstrating its theme celebrating “25 years of Resilience and Empowerment,” ‘Healing the World One Film At A Time,’ with the film “Past, Present and Future-Adversity” by Jalen Williams with today’s opening screening at the African American Arts & Culture Center (AAACC), 762 Fulton Avenue, San Francisco, CA. 94102.
As a millennial leader taking on the helm of the San Francisco Black Film Festival from my late father, Kali O’Ray, who lead the organization for a decade after my late grandmother, Ave Montague, founded it with the mission of affirming the African Diaspora worldwide and empowering filmmakers, both established and aspiring, it is an honor to work with volunteers and sponsors to keep the festival moving forward for the commonwealth,” said Cree Ray, Executive Director of the San Francisco Black Film Festival. “We continue with our motto “Healing the World One Film at A Time” and we do so with friends like 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.”
The majority of films, parties and panels will be held at 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 the late Ave Montague.
Today’s opening film at AAACC, June 15th, “Past, Present and Future-Adversity” directed by Jalen Williams documents the San Jose University real life reality of the over 40-year gap between the era of Speed City including athletes such as Ray Norton, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos juxtaposed with the first African American director of track & field Charles Ryan, having been tasked with rebuilding program with a new coaching staff, an entirely new athletic department, and no track and field facility. Door open at 4:30 p.m. Click Here for Tickets.
Closing Day Films, Father’s Day, June 18th at AMC Kabuki 8, will include short films, “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 and the other short, “Third Baptist” by local award-winning filmmaker Kevin Epps is about the juggernaut of the 170 year old regenerating spiritual and social justice organization, Third Baptist now led by Dr. Amos Brown, President of the San Francisco NAACP. More news to come on the closing feature film for the day.
For details about the films, visit www.sfbff.org. Click on “films” at the top of the menu.
As more news continues to unfold about The San Francisco Black Film Festival, XXV, “25 Years of Resilience and Empowerment,” June 15-18, 2023, the beginning of a year-long celebration, visit www.sfbff.org. One aspect of the extended celebration will be to host events with small business owners such as Honey Art Studio, 1981 Sutter Street that hosted the festival’s Media Briefing and VIP Reception prior to opening day.
Honey Art Studio owned by Erica Scott will host a special Juneteenth event of its own on June 17th and will be the venue for the San Francisco Black Film Festival to showcase the work of photographers like Harrison Chastang, News Director of KPOO and Lance Burton, CEO of Planet Fillmore who were the first to answer the call to action to send in some of their photos over the past 25 years of the San Francisco Black Film Festival. Click Gallery on the www.sfbff.org homepage and see their work. The call to action for photographs over the years is still out. See the details: The San Francisco Black Film Festival Call To Action for Photographers & Friends to Celebrate 25th Anniversary of "Resilience and Empowerment" https://conta.cc/3ocTURA.
The San Francisco Black Film Festival thanks sponsors: 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.
The San Francisco Black Film Festival thanks all sponsors. And extends a special thank you to CEO Michael Burdette of Hylife-Ocity Productions for his salute and kickoff to SFBFF festivities with its “Lady Revolution II! The Bay” with Netta B; RyanNicole; and Tracy Cruz at Yoshi’s Oakland.
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.
Jackie Wright - jackiewright@wrightnow.biz | President