Films Shown At 14th National Black Writers Conference, March 22 – March 24, 2018Posted by Wilson Morales
March 16, 2018
Here’s the list of films that are being showcased at this year’s National Black Writers Conference, which is taking place Thursday, March 22 – Sunday, March 25. The films however, are only running through Saturday, March 24.
The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York (CBL) presents the 14th National Black Writers Conference (NBWC) to be held Thursday, March 22, 2018 – Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Central Brooklyn. The four-day highly anticipated event features a Youth Literacy program, an Elder Writers Workshop, and a Tribute and Awards Ceremony honoring some of today’s most revered authors, scholars, cultural historians, and literary activists. The 2018 theme is “Gathering at the Waters: Healing, Legacy and Activism in Black Literature.” Local, regional, and nationally celebrated writers, scholars, literary professionals, students, and the community-at-large will convene over four days to discuss topics related to the Conference theme, to examine the state of literature produced by Black writers, to listen to writers read from their work, to attend a variety of informative workshops and to fellowship with other supporters of Black literature.
This year, the honorees are Colson Whitehead, Kwame Dawes, David Levering Lewis, Susan L. Taylor, Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due, and Eugene B. Redmond. Dr. Myrlie Evers-Williams will serve as this year’s Honorary Chai
14TH NATIONAL BLACK WRITERS CONFERENCE WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF AWARD-WINNING FILMS AT MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE, CUNY: MARCH 22 – 24, 2018
The Center for Black Literature’s National Black Writers Conference (NBWC2018) will feature several films at this year’s gathering over the course of three days. On two of those days, the film screenings will be co-presented and curated by African Voices/Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series. The selection is a mixture of revealing and heartfelt documentaries and a showcase of emerging filmmakers.
DAY 1: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Special Film Co-Presentation by African Voices/Reel Sisters of the DiasporaFilm Festival & Lecture Series Talkback with film’s director Tracy Heather Strain
Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart is an intimate documentary on playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s life as artist, activist, and visionary. Award-winning playwrightBless ji Jaja, director ofUncle Tom vs Uncle Sam, will moderate a discussion with Tracy Heather Strain on her journey into Lorraine’s life. Join us for an exciting evening honoring Lorraine Hansberry’s legacy as one of the greatest playwrights in the 20th century. The event isfree and opento the public. Young people are encouraged to attend! For tickets, please go to https://bit.ly/2Iw46eS
DAY 2: Friday, March 23, 2018
BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Talkback with film’s co-directorSabrina Schmidt Gordon andDr. BrendaM. Greene, Executive Director of the Center for Black Literature
The documentary filmBaddDDD Sonia Sanchez journeys into the lifeof Sonia Sanchez, poet, playwright, activist, and a seminal figure in theBlack Arts Movement of the 1960s. Deemed “A lion in literature’sforest” by poetMaya Angelou and winner of major literary awards,Sanchez is best known for her 17 books of poetry that explore a widerange of global and humanist themes, particularly the struggles and triumphs of women and people of color. In BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez,Sanchez’s life unfolds in a documentary rich with readings and jazz-accompanied performances of her work.
DAY 3: Saturday, March 24, 2018
Living in a State of Grace, the Art of Healing: A Film Anthology
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Post-screening directors’ Q&A session, moderated by Clairesa Clay, founder of Blerd City Con
The Center for Black Literature andAfrican Voicesmagazine present “Livingin a State of Grace: The Art of Healing,” a selection of four films celebratingthe magic of Blackness. The showcase includes a slice of award-winning filmsfrom Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series, the first academy qualifying festival for short films devoted to women of color.
Holding History: The Collections of Charles L. Blockson
Producer/Director/Writer: Cheraine Stanford; Cowriter: Cole Cullen
Holding History tells the story of Black studies scholar and authorCharles L. Blockson’s lifelong journey to unearth and preserve thehistory, culture, and contributions of people of African descent.
Charcoal
Producer/Director: Francesca Andre
Charcoal is a story about redemption and overcoming pain. This filmfocuses on two Black women who have been victims of colorism.Although there are vast distances between each of them, their livesare parallel. They constantly face a barrage of social messages that erode their self-worth and self-esteem.Charcoal has won manyawards includingReel Sisters Best Narrative Short Award 2017 and was featured in ESSENCE. Trailer: https://bit.ly/2GyXuvK
That’s Why They Call Us Colored
Director: Malika Franklin, Ashton Pina; Producer: Malika Franklin
A distant relative comes to a family reunion and comes to terms with his family history in this delightful short starring veteran actors Vinie Burrows and Rod “Barclay” Bladel. Colored is a recipient of the Reel Sisters Spirit Award 2017 and a crowd-pleaser.
Trailer: https://bit.ly/2FNpz1b
black enuf*
Director/Producer: Carrie Hawks
A queer oddball seeks approval from Black peers despite serious lackof hip-hop credentials and a family that “talks white.” The filminterweaves stories from Hawks’ great-grandmother’s autobiography,interviews of family and friends and hand-drawn memories. blackenuf* has received many honors, including the Reel Sisters BestAnimation Award 2017 and is distributed by Third World Newsreel
Trailer: https://bit.ly/2ph6qxu
For more information about NBWC2018 or the Center for Black Literature, call (718) 804-8883 or visit www.centerforblackiterature.org. Program subject to change
