Thursday, February 18th – COMMUNITY NIGHT
6:00pm – Reception
6:30pm – Human Relations Department Awards
7:15pm – Featured Film - Providence Effect
The Providence Effect is the story of an individual man, the inner city Chicago school he founded, and the student lives the school has changed and saved. The school, Providence St. Mel, has a 30-year 100% college placement record; with an “old school” approach to learning — “Do the work.” — and a dedicated corps of teachers and administrators, Providence St. Mel can serve as a model for revamping all of American education.
COST: Free
Co-Sponsored by Durham Human Relations Department and Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Friday, February 19th – OPENING NIGHT
7:15pm – Featured Film – Mississippi Damned
Filmed in North Carolina and winner of multiple film festival awards. Wanting to escape was the easy part. Taking place in 1986 and 1998 and based on a true story, three poor, Black kids in rural Mississippi reap the consequences of their family’s cycle of abuse, addiction, and violence. They independently struggle to escape their circumstances and must decide whether to confront what’s plagued their family for generations or succumb to the same crippling fate, forever damned in Mississippi.
Filmmaker Tina Mabry and Producer Morgan Stiff will be in attendance. (Inappropriate for children under 15).
10:00pm-2:00am – Party at the Cotton Room
Join filmmakers in celebrating at The Cotton Room in Golden Belt 807 East Main Street featuring live Jazz
music by Kim Pacheco followed by Joey the DJ.
COST $15.00 includes opening night screening and reception. Festival Passes are $50.00 for the entire weekend (savings of $35 off individual block tickets). [Purchase Tickets]
Saturday, February 20th – FULL DAY OF SCREENINGS
9:00am – Registration opens/Pick up Passes/Tickets
Festival Passes are $50.00 for the entire weekend (savings of $35 off individual block tickets).
Each Film Block is $8.00.
Block 2 – 9:30am
Feature Film Screening
Obama in North Carolina: The Path to History documentary by
Cash Michaels
Location: Theatre
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
This documentary film explores the unforgettable people and events of 2008, capturing the historic path carved in North Carolina that made the election of the President possible. Stories from post-Reconstruction and black disenfranchisement of early 1900s through the tumultuous 1960s civil rights movement and beyond frame this historic achievement.
Short Films Screening
Free Meal dramatic short by Eva Castine 4 min
Hug dramedy by Khary Jones 16 min
Wedding Day dramatic short by Dilsey Davis 15 min
Corporate Politics dramatic short by Ablavi Gbenyon 16 min
Brother’s Incorporated dramatic short by Michael Johnson (Encore presentation winner best student film HHFF, 2009) 23 min
Block 3 – 11:00am
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Feature Screening
Tribute to Haiti – The Agronomist
Directed by Jonathan Demme
A profile of Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique. It includes: historical footage of Haiti’s vivid and tumultuous past; interviews with Dominique, himself and with Michele Montas—his heroic wife, life-long love, and extraordinary partner; and incorporates footage shot before Dominique’s assassination on April 3, 2000.
Co-sponsored by the Duke African and African-American Studies Working Group
Location: Theatre
Short Films Screening
Wake a dramedy by Bree Newsome (NC Filmmaker) 21 min
Lost Colony a short form documentary by Carolyn Stephenson (NC filmmaker) 15 min
The Jewelry Box a drama by Rayana Thomas (NC filmmaker) 25 min
Sparkling Wrath a drama by Abosede Copeland (NC filmmaker) 14 min
Location: Dance Studio
Panel Discussion
1:00pm – 2:25pm – Behind the Scenes – From A to Z – The Anatomy of Making a Film
Directors and producers will talk about the process of moving from an initial idea to the actual creation of a feature film. They will discuss challenges and rewards of making a film, including pitching, fundraising, hiring talent, festival screenings, and distribution. Panelist include Tina Marbrey and Morgan Stiff (Mississippi Damned), Hannah Sink and Michelle McGrier (the upcoming “Kaffir Boy”) and Gary Hooker (Sister’s Keeper).
Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass.
Location: Theatre
Block 4 – 2:30pm
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Feature Film Screening
American Violet– Narrative
This fact-based drama about an innocent Texas mother caught up in a high-profile drug raid, and unjustly accused due to the uncorroborated testimony of a single informant. Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) is a young single mother of four living in a small Texas town. Arrested during a drug raid and accused of a crime she didn’t commit, Dee goes against the wishes of her mother, Alma (Alfre Woodard), and rejects the plea-bargain that would free her from jail, but brand her as a felon for life. As word begins to spread that similar incidents are occurring in poor communities all across the country, Dee realizes that there are more mothers out there like her, and decides to take a stand against powerful district attorney Calvin Beckett (Michael O’Keefe).
Location: Theatre
Short Films Screening
Amazon Woman dramatic short by Kiara C. Jones 14 min (inappr. for children under 15)
Cuts dramatic short by Rashaad Ernesto Green 16 min.
Malicious Intent work-in-progress by Karim Shyllon 25 min.
Lady in My Life dramatic short by Malik Aziz 6 min.
The Hands dramatic short by Charise M. Studesville 11 min.
Location: Dance Studio
Panel Discussion
4:15-5:20pm – Working as an Actor in Today’s Market
The internet is not only changing the way distribution and marketing work in the film business, it is also changing how actors are hired to work in film and television. Panelist will discuss the current trends in casting and getting the job. Casting Director, Tracy Kilpatrick Actor, Vaughn Wilson (One Tree Hill) and Rasool J’han are invited to participate.
Cost: Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass. [Purchase Tickets]
Block 5- 5:30pm
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Feature Screening
Tribute to Haiti – The Other Side of Water: The Journey of a Haitian Rara Band in Brooklyn
Co-sponsored by the Duke African and African American Studies Working Group
Location: Theatre
Short and Feature Film Screening
5:30pm
Hug a dramedy short by Khary Jones 16 min.
Don’t Blame the Lettuce – Dramatic Feature a work-in-progress Don’t Blame the Lettuce is the first feature by North Carolina Filmmaker David Jones. A relationship drama and love story about the finding and losing
of one’s way in love and relationships. The film reflects the contradictions, insecurities, and loneliness in life and in love.
Filmmaker David Jones will be in attendance.
Location: Dance Studio
Block 6 – 7:30pm
Cost: $8 per person[Purchase Tickets]
Feature Film Screening
Sister’s Keeper – Suspense Drama by Kent Faulcon
Jacob Tate (Kent Faulcon), a tormented hired assassin with a sudden case of conscience, is dispatched to kill a small town, school teacher, Diane Mulberry (Denise Boutte). Conflicted about his assignment and ready to walk from the profession, he reluctantly goes to complete this final job when things go unexpected and Diane mistakes him for her long lost brother.
Executive Producers Lisa Hooker and Gary Hooker will be in attendance.
Location: Theatre
Short Film Screenings
Amazon Woman dramatic short by Kiara C. Jones 14 min (inappr. for children under 15)
Cuts dramatic short by Rashaad Ernesto Green 16 min
Malicious Intent a work-in-progress by Karim Shyllon 25 min
Lady in My Life dramatic short by Malik Aziz 6 min
The Hands dramatic short by Charise M. Studesville 11 min
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Block 7 – 1:00pm
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Feature Film Screening
Bass Reeves – Narrative based on a true story
Bass Reeves was one of the first Black Federal Deputy Marshalls. He arrested more than 3,000 outlaws in his career as Deputy Marshal. A former slave, Bass fled to Indian Territory during the Civil War where he learned over 12 languages and studied land until he knew the territory “like a cook knows her kitchen”.
Location: Theatre
Short Film Screenings
Wake dramedy by Bree Newsome (NC filmmaker) 21 min
Lost Colony short form documentary by Carolyn Stephenson (NC filmmaker) 15 min
The Last One Standing drama by Roderick Shepard (NC filmmaker) 10min
The Jewelry Box drama by Rayana Thomas (NC filmmaker) 25 min
Block 8 – 3:00pm
Feature Film Screening
Sisters in Cinema – Documentary by Yvonne Welbon
Sisters in Cinema is a seminal work that pays homage to African American women, who against all odds made history. The careers, lives and films of inspirational women filmmakers, such as, Euzhan Palcy, Julie Dash, Darnell Martin, Dianne Houston, Neema Barnette, Cheryl Dunye, Kasi Lemmons and Maya Angelou are showcased within the film. Interviews are interwoven with film clips, rare archival footage and photographs and production video of filmmaker at work.
Cost: $8 per person [Purchase Tickets]
Location: Theatre
Guest Speaker
4:30pm – Yvonne Welbon
Yvonne Welbon is an award-winning independent filmmaker and freelance producer. Since 1991, she has made eight films and produced a dozen others. Her independent films have screened on PBS, Starz/Encore, TVONE,
IFC, Bravo, the Sundance Channel and in over one hundred film festivals around the world. Ms. Welbon is currently the Department Chair and Professor of the Journalism and Media Department at Bennett College in Greensboro.
Cost: Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass
Location: Theatre
Awards Ceremony
5:30pm
Location: Theatre
