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Day 1: Kwanzaa Film Festival – Unity Award Ceremony & Opening Films

 Date: December 26, 2024
📍 Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Address: 515 Lenox Avenue, Harlem, New York
🚇 Transportation: Conveniently located near the 2 and 3 trains at 135th Street

🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🍴 Reception: 6:00 PM
🏆 Awards Ceremony: 7:00 PM

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Unity—the first principle of Kwanzaa—at the official opening of the Kwanzaa Film Festival!

Unity Award Honorees

We honor seven remarkable individuals whose contributions exemplify the spirit of community, resilience, and innovation:

  • Crystal Williams: CEO, Kids Passports to Adventure
  • Clayton Banks: CEO, Silicon Harlem
  • Jose Saldana: Director, Release Aging People in Prison
  • Sharonne Salaam: Advocate and Activist
  • Black Girls Social Club Harlem Chapter: Recognizing their impact on empowering young Black girls in Harlem
  • Chelsey Roebuck: ELITE CEO ( emerging leader in tech)
  • Egypt Ifunanya Onymya Ufele: Founder of Egypt’s Bully-Free World, promoting anti-bullying and self-acceptance

Film Screenings

The evening will feature inspiring and thought-provoking films:
🎥 Plant Her – Directed by Deshawn White
🎥 Gods of the Universe: Rise of the Star Child – Directed by Cathy SitaRam
🎥 Resilience – Directed by Julia O’Farrow

Entertainment Highlights

  • African Dance Performances: Dynamic and captivating showcases of cultural heritage.
  • Best Dressed Fashion Show: Celebrate style with a showcase of stunning looks from our vibrant community.

A celebratory reception will follow, offering an opportunity to mingle with honorees, filmmakers, and attendees.

🌟 RSVP now to secure your spot and be part of this powerful night of unity, culture, and celebration!

 
 
Kwanzaa Film Festival 2024 Schomburg Center  515 Malcolm X Blvd 12PM-5PM
 
Screening Schedule for Dramatic Shorts & Documentaries  12/27/2024
 
Start Time: 12:00 PM  Her Stories Screening 
Title Director Runtime Start Time
Finding Joy LeRon Lee 19:58 12:00 PM
Perfect Attention Sydney Afriyie 25:46 12:22 PM
Justice Ayeraye Hargett 9:56 12:50 PM
MABEL Bianca LaVerne Jones 18:45 1:02 PM
James Solomon Russell: Adventure in Faith Nicci T. Carr, M.A. 50:50 1:22 PM
There is a River Tula B. Strong 19:48 2:15 PM
Ma ŋaye ka Masaala a se ka Wɔmɛti (From God To Man) Lansana Mansaray 14:59 2:37 PM
New York Tough Miki Benyamini, Yoni Benyamini 16:23 2:54 PM

His and Her stories  12/27/2024
 
 

 

Titlekar Director Runtime Start Time
Lettre La Kyvon Edwin 12:30 3:12 PM
Ricky Rashad Frett 20:10 3:25 PM
Under Thy Wings Jamal Hodge 13:35 3:46 PM
Inadequate Elya Randrianaivo 11:59 4:00 PM
The Self-Love Act Kareema Bee 20:00 4:12 PM
The Celebration Michael Brown 13:36 4:32 PM


 
 

Kwanzaa Cinema, 220 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035 (Harlem Community Center)

       
       
Event Schedule 12/28

Location: Kwanzaa Cinema, 220 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035
Start Time: 12:00 PM

Film Title / Workshop Director / Facilitator Runtime Start Time End Time
Underground Akil DuPont 19:15 12:00 PM 12:19 PM
What Happened to Bass Street $eck 12:30 12:19 PM 12:31 PM
If You Have Lemons Keith Powell 55:00 12:31 PM 1:26 PM
Workshop: From Actor to Producer Facilitator TBD 45:00 1:26 PM 2:11 PM
I Am More Dangerous Dead Majiye Uchibeke 24:00 2:11 PM 2:35 PM
I Am A Martial Autist Jason Henderson 39:59 2:35 PM 3:15 PM
A Voice for Health Michael Paul Stephenson, Amber Gardner 8:34 3:15 PM 3:24 PM
Workshop: Writing Our His-Story – How are Black Men Depicted in Film and How Do We Change the Narrative Facilitator TBD 45:00 3:24 PM 4:09 PM
Fugitive Freedom Dreaming Catron Booker 5:52 4:09 PM 4:15 PM
You Got The Power For An Hour Domonic Smith, Faheem Abdur-Razzaaq 43:00 4:15 PM 4:58 PM
Necessary Evil Jamal Hodge 35:11 4:58 PM 5:33 PM
Alone Jamal Hodge 5:06 5:33 PM 5:38 PM
Shoebox D’Angelo “D’Lo” Louis 12:25 5:38 PM 5:50 PM
Bottled Spirits Elizabeth Carter 34:15 5:50 PM 6:24 PM

Workshops Information

  • From Actor to Producer: This workshop will focus on the journey of transitioning from acting to producing, covering practical steps, challenges, and success strategies.
  • Writing Our His-Story – How Are Black Men Depicted in Film and How Do We Change the Narrative: A discussion-based workshop that explores historical depictions of Black men in cinema and strategies to craft empowering and authentic narratives.
 Yoga and Meditation for the Artist and Community Worker at 11:00 AM, including workshops and a libation ceremony, with films shown between these sessions:

Event Schedule 12/29/2024 11:00 am

Location: Kwanzaa Cinema, 220 E 125th St, New York, NY 10035
Start Time: 11:00 AM

Activity / Film Title Director Runtime Start Time End Time
Yoga and Meditation for the Artist and Community Worker Soulwork 1:00:00 11:00 AM 12:00 PM
Preparing Food for the Set – Craft Services Facilitator TBD 1:00:00 12:00 PM 1:00 PM
Love Thyselves Ayeraye Akosua Hargett, Nile Garcia 55:00 1:00 PM 1:55 PM
Crowdfunding and Social Media Workshop Dietra Kelsey -Sistah Talk 1:00:00 1:55 PM 2:55 PM
Resilience Julia O’Farrow 10:00 2:55 PM 3:05 PM
Mosiah Jirard 40:00 3:05 PM 3:45 PM
Libation Ceremony – Reviewing the Principles of Kwanzaa Facilitator TBD 0:30:00 3:45 PM 4:15 PM
She Flies Again Joy Shannon 13:22 4:15 PM 4:28 PM
The Invincible Jayson Garvey Melanee Murray-Hunt 22:12 4:28 PM 4:50 PM
The Golden Ghosts Film Mark Oliver 1:06:00 4:50 PM 5:56 PM
Authors Table Nzinga LeJeune 17:25 5:56 PM 6:13 PM

Workshop Descriptions

  • Yoga and Meditation for the Artist and Community Worker: A restorative session aimed at grounding participants and preparing them mentally and emotionally for creative and community work.
  • Preparing Food for the Set – Craft Services: A practical workshop on planning and preparing meals for cast and crew on a budget.
  • Crowdfunding and Social Media: Strategies for leveraging social media platforms to finance and promote films effectively.
  • Libation Ceremony: A communal ritual to honor ancestors and review the principles of Kwanzaa, connecting them to artistic and community endeavors.