MEDIA RELEASE

September 13, 2024

Arts Center Contact: 

Sasha Yeager, Marketing Coordinator

410.848.7272 | Sasha@CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org

3rd Black American Film Festival at the Carroll Arts Center

Free film festival celebrating Sankofa Stories! The Carroll County Arts Council is excited to present the third annual Black American Film Festival this fall at the Carroll Arts Center. This free festival is a celebration of Sankofa Stories, with a special focus on a human development opportunity by way of Black experiences. Sankofa Stories: You’ve got to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going. Sankofa is a Twi word from the Akan tribe in Ghana that loosely translates to “go back and get it.” This word represents the importance of shamelessly learning from the past to move forward into the future. This year, we hope that each BAFF film can be experienced with a sense of Sankofa, where the stories on screen reflect information from the past that can better guide the way we build our future.

Curated and hosted by Dr. Erin Watley, Associate Professor in McDaniel College’s Communication & Cinema Department, these four films highlight Black liberation, LGBTQIA+ history, fame, pop culture, and much more. Each film features a brief introduction to provide context and is followed by a facilitated discussion with Dr. Erin Watley. The films will be screened on Thursdays at 7:30pm from October 3 to October 24.

The film schedule is as follows:

Thursday, October 3

“American Fiction”

2023; R; 1h 57m for language throughout, some drug use, sexual references and brief violence.

A novelist, who’s fed up with the establishment profiting from Black entertainment uses a pen name to write a book that propels him into the heart of the hypocrisy and madness he claims to disdain.

A reflection note:

We DO impact the media we DON’T consume. Less than 6% of books published in the United States are from Black authors in 2023. American Fiction (2024 Oscar Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay) gives a glimpse of the tension put on Black authors to craft stories that are marketable to broad audiences.

Thursday, October 10

“Kokomo City”

2023; 1h 13m; R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, language throughout, and drug use.

A raw depiction of the lives of four black trans sex workers as they confront the dichotomy between the black community and themselves.

A refection note:

Support art that might not center stories that you are familiar with. Kokomo City is about survival, institutional failures, personal triumphs, searching for love and community. It just so happens that these themes are explored through the lens of Black transgender sex workers whose experiences may be more connected to yours than you imagine.

Thursday, October 17

“Black Ice”

2022; 1h 36m; R for language including racial slurs.

Directed by Academy Award®- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Hubert Davis, Black Ice masterfully navigates the challenges, triumphs, and unique experiences faced by these athletes through poignant firsthand accounts from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) hockey players past, including Willie O’Ree, the first Black player in the National Hockey League, and former professional hockey player Akim Aliu, with the stories of present stars, including P.K. Subban and Wayne Simmonds. The film explores the deep BIPOC roots of the game, dating back to 1865 and the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHL), the first all-pro league, which not only introduced the slapshot but shaped the game of hockey we know today. Davis exposes racist patterns that span generations, even highlighting stories of how sports institutions have exerted pressure on players seeking change to remain silent.

A reflection note:

Did you know that hockey has been a Black sport since the 1800’s? Black Ice explores the influence that Black people have always had on the sport and the damage caused in the present when that legacy isn’t acknowledged.

Thursday, October 24

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

2022; 2h 41m; PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, action and some language.

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect the kingdom of Wakanda from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for their nation.

A reflection note:

The sequel to Black Panther may be known for its action and adventure in connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Come and watch it again for the lessons on navigating grief, starting over, and cross-cultural world building. This film has something for everyone in your family or community group.

As film festival host, Dr. Watley’s teaching and research interests are focused on ways to practice everyday skills that can reduce oppressive systems (racism, sexism, transphobia, classism, fatphobia, etc.). Facilitating intercultural dialogue, encouraging difficult conversations, teaching media literacy, and analyzing Black American popular culture are her specialty.

"I am very excited to welcome everyone back to this film festival! I hope that it only continues to grow in its third year.” says Watley. “Once again, every screening will be a unique opportunity to learn from both the film and one another. Come join us in this exploration of the modern Black American renaissance and its contributions to our shared community!"

The festival is sponsored by Acts Fairhaven. Admission is free with no tickets required. Get the festival schedule and more information online at CarrollArtsCenter.org or call the Box Office at 410-848-7272. The Carroll Arts Center is in downtown Westminster, MD at 91 W. Main Street.

PHOTOS: 

"American Fiction" starring Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Issa Rae, and more...

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" starring Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong'o, and more...