LHAAFF & Northwest Sickle Cell Collaborative Partner for Opening Night Centennial Celebration at Cinerama
Opening Film/Gala with NSCC: NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY (4/17; 7pm; $20; Cinerama)
Filmmaker Charles Officer in Attendance
Fun Family Friday: Doubletime (4/23;5:30pm doubledutch demo;
7pm film; Central Cinema; Tickets $2-$7)
Closing Film/Gala: Still Bill (4/25; 7pm; $20; MOHAI)
SEATTLE –This year, due to the planned seismic and electrical upgrades of the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center facility in Seattle’s Central District, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC) will host its Seventh Annual African American Film Festival at a variety of new venues, The Cinerama will host the opening night screening. MOHAI will host the closing night screening and reception, all other films will be at The Central Cinema, 21st & Union St. Panel discussions and workshops will be at the Northwest African American Museum.
This nine day festival from April 17th – 25th 2010 features a powerful lineup of thoughtful films that includes: Seattle premieres, local directors, an LGBT focus, talkbacks, workshops, panel chats and family films. Each year this festival sparks memorable and provocative discussions from across the aisle and across neighborhoods.
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of Sickle Cell Anemia in the U.S., this year’s Opening Night film on April 17 (7pm) will beNURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, presented in partnership with the Northwest Sickle Cell Collaborative (NSCC) and the Metropolitan Sickle Cell Task Force to raise awareness of the disease that occurs in about 1 in every 350 African-American births and 1 in every 1000 to 1400 Hispanic-American births. About 2 million Americans, or 1 in 12 African Americans, carry the sickle cell trait. NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY, is a powerful film that shines a spotlight on one mother’s struggle with the disease and the devastating effect Sickle Cell Anemia has on her family and her own life.
The film, directed by young Canadian filmmaker, Charles Officer pays homage to his sister, stricken by Sickle Cell and told that she would not live past 30. The film has been nominated for 10 GENIE Awards (The Canadian Oscars) including Best Picture and Best Direction. The winners will be announced on April 12th in Toronto. NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY is an urban love story about the soul of a mother, the heart of a fighter, and the faith of a child.http://www.nursefighterboy.ca/home.html#screeningroom
The Closing Night Film on April 25th (7 pm), Still Bill, is at MOHAI with a reception to follow. Still Bill is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.” With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Withers has written the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times.
The 7th Annual African American Film Festival includes several Seattle premieres, a GLBT Film Day on 4/18, several short films by Local Filmmakers and a Fun Family Film Friday block party event outside the Central Cinema featuring a double dutch jump rope demonstration. This annual film festival is expected to draw over 2,500 people who are passionate about creating and appreciating films by and about Black people in the world. The Festival spotlights dozens and dozens of feature-length and short films by independent filmmakers, and the rare opportunity to chat face-to-face with filmmakers, industry professionals and community leaders. Tickets are $2 for Youth under 16, $5 for Seniors and $7 for Adults. All film details, including showtimes, locations and ticketing information are available at www.langstonblackfilmfest.org or by calling 206-326-1088.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS (complete schedule at www.langstonblackfilmfest.org)
SEATTLE PREMIERES
Flags Feathers and Lies (4/19 7pm) Behind the luxurious extravaganza of the famous Mardi Gras in New Orleans on the desolate back streets, devastated by Katrina, survives one of the most ancestral and hidden celebrations of the African-American population: “The Mardi Gras Indian. Nevertheless, this tradition, a cultural heritage of United States, is running the risk of disappearing due to racism and the displacement created by Hurricane Katrina. Produced by Julie Belafonte www.cimerroncinema.com/flags/index.php
Soundtrack of a Revolution (4/24 7pm) tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music –the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Angie Stone, Wyclef Jean, Mary Mary and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young. www.soundtrackforarevolutionfilm.com/Home.html
12 Disciples of Nelson Mandela (4/22 7pm) Thomas Allen Harris’ bittersweet eulogy to his stepfather, Benjamin Pule Leinaeng (Lee) and to the thousands of other South Africans who went into exile to keep the freedom struggle alive during the harshest years of apartheid. Through the stories of 12 young comrades from Bloemfontein, this film shows how over 30 years the African National Congress (ANC) built a successful worldwide movement, which eventually toppled the white supremacist regime. www.chimpanzeeproductions.com/films.html (Filmmaker in Attendance)
Burn (4/24 1pm) A pair of Independent Filmmakers on a whim set out to learn more about the little known, “Worst Recorded Race Riot in American History,” the 1921 Tulsa Oklahoma Race Riot. They were struck by the amazing complexity of such a “simple” place. They set out to tell the story of a city and a riot but were told the story of a place that is a pure reflection of America. This documentary is more than a view of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. It is an analysis of social, economic, religious, and human ethics yet investigated. www.vimeo.com/8730616
Up From the Bottoms (4/23 3pm) tells the personal accounts of the northern migration of African Americans in the 1940s to work in the Muskegon Michigan factories.
Neshoba (4/18 3pm) tells the story of a Mississippi town still divided about the meaning of justice, 40 years after the murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner. For more than forty years, Mississippi refused to prosecute any of the Klansmen directly responsible for the murders, even though they bragged openly about what they did. www.neshobafilm.com
Anomoly (4/18 1pm) is a groundbreaking documentary film that takes an insider’s look at the experiences of multiracial Americans. Through personal narratives it stimulates viewers to think about identity, family and community in a changing world. (Filmmaker in Attendance)
Tapologo (4/20 5pm) In Freedom Park, a squatter settlement in South Africa, a group of HIV-infected former sex-workers, created a network called Tapologo. They learn to be home-based care workers for their community, transforming degradation into solidarity and squalor into hope.www.tapologofilm.com
When I Rise (4/21 5pm) is the powerful story of Barbara Smith Conrad, a gifted University of Texas music student who became a target of racial discrimination and ultimately ascended to the heights of international opera.
Return (4/21 7pm) propels us into the unseen world of indigenous African medicine through ritual, spiritual connections and sacrifice. Through exclusive visits with traditional healers across the African continent, we experience their ancient practices first hand. The film chronicles the journey of two African American professionals as they reconnect to the cultures of their ancestry, and encounter their own personal awakenings. http://www.returnthefilm.com
E Minha Cara – That’s My Face (4/22 5pm) A mythopoetic odyssey exploring identity and spirituality across three generations of an African-American family in the USA, East Africa and Brazil. www.chimpanzeeproductions.com/films.html (Filmmaker in Attendance)
FUN FAMILY FRIDAY
Doubletime (4/23 7pm) In the last 30 years, jump roping has moved off the sidewalks and into the gym, now featuring astounding acrobatics, lightening speed and international competition. Follows two disparate teams--one suburban white and one inner-city black--as they train to compete against each other for the very first time. http://dsc.discovery.com/promo/doubletime.
Double Dutch Demo with Northwest Double Dutch (4/23 5:30 pm) Bring your sneakers and jump in! We’re blocking off the street, blasting an upbeat jumping-music soundtrack and prepping for a fun time with kids and adults. There will be demonstrations and incredible performances by Northwest Double Dutch –it's a high flying fun event for young and old. Rain or Shine!
GLBT INTEREST – and both films are also Seattle Premieres!
Mississippi Damned (4/18 7pm) Based on true events and spanning between 1986 and 1998, it follows three young African Americans in the rural south as they suffer through the devastating cycles of poverty, addiction and abuse. Directed by Tina Mabry. Producer Morgan Stiff in attendance. Seattle Premiere. www.mississippidamned.com .
VINTAGE Families of Value (4/18 3pm) is an experimental documentary that looks at three African American families through the eyes of lesbian and gay siblings –including the filmmaker and his younger brother. In 1991, while his mother and brother sat in the kitchen giving each other facials, the filmmaker set up a camera. For the first time he asked his mother what she thought about the fact that her only two sons are gay. What ensues is a conversation that moves from sexuality to a discussion of ambivalence, fear and hope regarding family. Over the course of five years, three groups of queer siblings use video cameras to articulate the multiple narratives that coexist within the psychic space of family.
LOCAL FILMMAKERS
Features two short films: Top Left (4/24 @ 7pm) by Georgio Brown and Why I Do What I Do (4/20 @ 5PM) by Eddie Winston. Georgio and Eddie are longtime Seattle residents whose passion for filmmaking has grown over the years. Georgio won last years’ LHAAFF local filmmaker award.
WORKSHOP & PANEL DISCUSSION @ NW AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
Filmmaking Panel Discussion and Animation Workshop (4/24 10:30 – 12 noon) with special guests Ava Duvernay and Alrick Brown. Their work as emergent filmmakers has garnered praise in the U.S and abroad.
All access film festival Langston Passes
On sale now for $50 http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/94778.
$20 Tickets to the Opening Night Film NURSE.FIGHTER.BOY April 17, 2010
In Advance Online: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/2303 or www.central-cinema.com
In Advance in Person: 7 days a week 6-11pm at the Central Cinema Box Office; 1411 21st Ave; The Central District.
Day of Show in Person: at the Seattle Cinerama box office 2100 4th Avenue.
*Cinerama will not be selling advance tickets to the opening night film and reception.
Tickets to ALL other festival films and events. Tickets are $7 Adults, $5 Seniors & $2 Youth under 16
In Advance Online: www.central-cinema.com
In Advance in Person: 7 days a week 6-11pm at the Central Cinema Box Office; 1411 21st Ave; The Central District.
Day of Show in Person: Central Cinema Box Office; 1411 21st Ave; The Central District
Day of Show in Person -Closing Film Only: MOHAI; 2700 24th Ave E, Seattle
*No Tickets will be available for sale at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.
The African American Film Festival is supported by Vulcan and Cinerama, The Lucky 7 Foundation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, 4 Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and a host of local businesses and organizations. The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival gives Northwest audiences a chance to view a diverse array of irreverent, poignant, provocative films on topics such as youth, politics, history, social justice and relationships.
About the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival: The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival supports community building by providing opportunities for artists and audiences to connect using the medium of film as a catalyst for dialogue that leads to social change. The festival creates year round opportunities to enhance media literacy, self reflection, and community discussion. By creating the shared experience of films that are by and about Black people, the festival is a creative and collaborative opportunity to build cultural competency across the aisle and across neighborhoods in greater Seattle. www.langstonblackfilmfest.org. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center celebrates, nurtures, presents and preserves African American performing arts and cultural legacies.
