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 Uprising that followed.

As the world watched on television, decades of frustration erupted in the streets of St. Louis that August day. In the weeks and months that followed, the local community was galvanized to create life-altering change. Many channeled their trauma into creating the world they want to live in.

In this spirit of transformation the Michael Brown Ten Years Project was born.     Working with the Michael Brown family, seven African-American filmmakers from St. Louis have created a series of short films about how their lives and their community have been shaped by the events of that fateful 2014 day. Their films seek to document the impact of the last decade, take an honest look at where things are now and chart a vision for the future.  

The TEN YEARS World Premier will take place at the historic Hi-Pointe Theatre in St. Louis on Sunday, November 17 at 4:30 p.m. as part of the St. Louis International Film Festival. It will be followed by a panel discussion exploring how, and if, we as a city can move forward from this ongoing trauma. Following the debut, the TEN YEARS project will be screened at events nationwide, serving as a catalyst for continued dialogue and change.

FILMMAKERS’ STATEMENT

We are honored to be part of the Mike Brown 10 Years Project and value the opportunity to shine a fresh light on this pivotal moment in our nation’s history. Our project seeks to continue the conversation about the challenges our community faces, particularly related to policing.This compels us to not only remember this event but also to amplify other Black lives and their stories.

We aim to honor the lives lost since Michael Brown’s death, examine the changes that have taken place since the movement began and confront the issues we still fight today. Through our work, we hope to touch lives, spark meaningful conversations and inspire the change necessary for a more just and equitable society.