Opening Night & Feature Films.
Thursday, February 22, 7:00 pm
KEMBA
Narrative Feature | 87 min
A sheltered college student who falls in love with a man, only to learn he is a drug kingpin, finds herself in the middle of the government's "war on drugs."
Executive Producers: Nick Reid, Kemba Smith, Constance Orlando, Maureen Guthman | Producers: Rob Pfaltzgraff, Lana Link, Stacey Parks | Written by: Christine Swanson | Directed by: Kelley Kali | Produced by: MPI Original Films
Friday, February 23, 7:00 pm
THE FIGHT FOR BLACK LIVES
Documentary | 72 min | LA Premiere
This film chronicles the ways that racial stress and the American healthcare system disadvantages the health of Black Americans.
Producer/Director: Micere Keels
Saturday, Feb 24, 1:00 pm
848: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF AMERICA
Documentary | 76 min | World Premiere
A criminal justice documentary focusing on US code 848 aka the Kingpin charge - this charge calls for "Drug Kingpins" even non-violent ones to spend life in prison. Even though the laws have changed some non-violent offenders are still stuck in federal prison after serving more than 30 years. This is the story of the how, why and what we can do to help!
Writer/Director: Thomas Freeman, Jr. | Producer: Demetrius Hill | Executive Producers: Akira Pray, Dr Ansari, Nathaniel Banks
Short Film Collection I.
Saturday, February 24, 4:00 pm
HOW TO SUE THE KLAN
Documentary | 35 min
How to Sue the Klan is the story of how five Black women from Chattanooga used legal ingenuity to take on the Ku Klux Klan in a historic 1982 civil case, fighting to hold them accountable for their crimes and bring justice to their community. Their victory set a legal precedent that continues to inspire the ongoing fight against organized hate.
Director/Producer: John Beder | Producers: Benjamin Crump, Cameron S. Mitchell, Raji Ramanathan
BREATHE
Narrative | 16 min | LA Premiere
For Eric, it is a normal day in his life/neighborhood. For the world, it’s the day Eric faces the reality of taking his last breath.
Writer/Director: Jamie Burton-Oare | Producer: Jamie Burton-Oare | Executive Producer: Shannon E. Riggs | Cast: Stephen Hill
BIENVENIDOS A LOS ANGELES
Narrative | 17 min
The timely story of Imani, a Nigerian single-mother living in Los Angeles, who offers to help a perfect stranger reunite with her son. In doing so, Imani learns this simple act of kindness threatens to jeopardize her own path to citizenship.
Writer/Director: Lisa Cole | Producers: Vivian Johnson, Cindy Lu, Jolene Mendes, Benjamin O’Keefe, Lolia Etomi | Cast: Destiny Faith Nelson, Stacey Patino, Ethan Mendez, Rashmi Rustagi, Yvonne Huff Lee
Short Film Collection II.
Saturday, February 24, 7:00 pm
UNDERWATER PROJECTS
Documentary | 28 min | World Premiere
Norfolk, Virginia is sinking. The already insufficient sea wall ends where a public housing project, St. Paul’s, begins. St. Paul’s housing projects’ residents are Black people. Norfolk is home to the world’s largest naval base and there is currently no public plan to prevent it from going underwater.
Co-Directors: Dream Hampton, Liz Havstad
SOMEWHERE
Musical Narrative | 13 min | LA Premiere
When Elena and Cameron are ripped apart by an act of racism, both must stand up for what they believe to keep the door of love open.
Writer/Director: Alexander Craven | Producers: Jeff Pifher, Shane Collins | Cast: Natalie Hanna Mendoza, John Robert Hall
SILENT PARTNER
Narrative | 16 min | LA Premiere
Silas Jones is an accomplished, Black trial attorney on the cusp of making partner at a white-shoe law firm. Upon successfully defending a white woman charged with murdering a Black teen, Silas comes to a crossroads with his wife Kosi, an equally accomplished professor, as they prepare to attend the firm’s celebration. As the night progresses, Silas questions the legitimacy of his promotion. Will he make the ultimate sacrifice?
Director: Aristotle Torres | Writers: Aristotle Torres, Roderick Lawrence | Producer: Roderick Lawrence | Cast: Roderick Lawrence, Kara Young, Michael Park