Section

Race in America

Addressing the complexities of Race in America, this spotlight presents films that explore historical and contemporary perspectives on racial issues. Mr. Troy tells the inspiring story of a Black ballet dancer overcoming racial prejudice, while The People’s Way focuses on community organizers responding to the murder of George Floyd. These films engage with systemic injustice, social activism, and the ongoing fight for racial equity.

Sponsored by the ECF of Boeing

American Indie Spotlight, Free Programs, International Spotlight, Race in America

African Giants

Film African Giants Directed by Omar S Kamara Over a weekend visit in Los Angeles, two first-generation Sierra Leonean American brothers navigate the changing dynamics of...

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round

Film Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round Directed by Ilana Trachtman Follow the story of five Howard University students who sat on a carousel in 1960 and those who...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America

Black Table

Film Black Table Directed by Bill Mack, John Antonio James In 1993, the largest class of black students in Yale’s history arrive on campus, just as the country...

Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Race in America, Show-Me Cinema

Catching Bullets

Film Catching Bullets A generation ago, Darren sold dope. Behind a gun and a bullet-proof vest, he once made a name...

Free Programs, Race in America

Documentary Shorts 9 – Race In America

Program Documentary Shorts 9 – Race In America This collection short films celebrate and center African-American stories.

Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spanish-Language Focus

Emergent City

Film Emergent City Directed by Jay Arthur Sterrenberg, Kelly Anderson Emergent City chronicles a decade in a working class neighborhood at the edge of a changing Brooklyn. As...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race in America

Enfield: What Is Inherited

Film Enfield: What Is Inherited Directed by Angela N. Robinson, Naomi Despres The Documentary follows Mondale Robinson, the mayor of Enfield, North Carolina, who returns to his hometown to demonstrate...

Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Race in America

Family Tree

Film Family Tree Directed by Jennifer MacArthur North Carolina’s sustainable forestry movement is a rare gesture towards community-based climate action. Seen through the stories of...

Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Race in America

Farming While Black

Film Farming While Black Directed by Mark Decena Leah Penniman, a young Black farmer and co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, knows all too well the plight...

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race in America

How to Sue the Klan

Film How to Sue the Klan Directed by John Beder Learn the story of the five Black women and a young civil rights lawyer who took on the...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Oscar® Qualifying Shorts Competition, Race in America

Mr. Troy

Film Mr. Troy Directed by Ken Gregory Mr. Troy is a Documentary chronicling Troy D. Brown’s extraordinary career as a world-renowned ballet dancer who overcame...

Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Rising Hope

Film Rising Hope Directed by Theo Avgerinos In this cinematic portrait of the forgotten Mississippi Delta, inspired citizens share vibrant testimonies of hope in the...

Fine Arts Spotlight, Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

Songs from the Hole

Film Songs from the Hole Directed by Contessa Gayles This Documentary tells the story of a 15 year old musician who took a life and then lost...

Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Show-Me Cinema

Stone Feather

Film Stone Feather Directed by Justin Henley, Ose Enaholo An underground music collective, known for their electric performances in St. Louis, MO, has to find the courage...

Free Programs, Race in America, Show-Me Cinema

TEN YEARS – Michael Brown, the Ferguson Uprising and The Impact on a Generation

Special Event TEN YEARS – Michael Brown, the Ferguson Uprising and The Impact on a Generation In 2014, the world was forever changed by the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. and the Ferguson...

American Indie Spotlight, Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The Calling

Film The Calling Directed by Asako Gladsjo “The Calling” tracks a diverse group of medical students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx...

Cinema for Students Programs, Free Programs, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Women in Film Spotlight

The Debutantes

Film The Debutantes Directed by Contessa Gayles How does one come out into society in a way that honors and fosters a development of one’s...

Free Programs, Human Rights Spotlight, Human Ties, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America, Spotlight on Inspiration Documentary Competition

The People’s Way

Film The People’s Way Directed by Ashley Tyner, William Taft Tyner Grappling with the impact of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis, three community organizers, Jeanelle Austin, Toshira Garraway, and...

Human Rights Spotlight, Leon & Mary Strauss Documentary Spotlight, Race in America

White With Fear

Film White With Fear Directed by Andrew Goldberg An explosive deep dive into the cynical, decades-long strategy of Republican politicians and conservative media to exploit America’s...