Schedule & Ticket Information

NOTE: Festival Passes are $50.00 for the entire weekend (savings of $35 off individual block tickets).
Individual Film Blocks are $8.00.

Schedule (Click here for PDF)

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Community Night – FREE
6:00pm – Reception
6:30pm – Human Relations Department Awards
PROVIDENCE EFFECT – 7:15pm

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.

Co-Sponsored by Durham Human Relations Department and Chapel Hill/Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.

Friday, February 19th, 2010
OPENING NIGHT FILM – 7:00pm

MISSISSIPPI DAMNED
Filmed in North Carolina and winner of multiple film festival awards.
Wanting to escape was the easy part. 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).

Opening Night Party at the COTTON ROOM – 10:00pm-2:00am

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).

Saturday, February 20th, 2010
9:00am – Registration opens/Pick up Passes/Tickets

Block 2 – 9:30am
Feature Film Screening

OBAMA in NORTH CAROLINA
The Path to History documentary by Cash Michaels
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.

Location: Theatre
Short Films Screening
SFS #2

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
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
SFS #3

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 – Behind the Scenes
1:00pm – 2:25pm

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 – 1:00pm – 2:25pm

Kidz Block
Free screening for children

Block 5 – 2:30pm
Feature Film Screening

AMERICAN VIOLET– Narrative

American Violet
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
SFS #5

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 – Working as an Actor in Today’s Market
4:15-5:20pm

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, Mississippi Damned) and Rasool J’han are invited to participate.

Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass.

Block 6 – 5:30pm

Feature Screening – Tribute to Haiti

The Other Side of Water: The Journey of a Haitian Rara Band in Brooklyn

The Other Side of Water
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 7 – 7:30pm

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

SFS #7
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 8 – 1:00pm

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

SFS #8

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 9 – 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.

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, TV-ONE, 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.

Free with any block ticket purchase or festival pass

Location: Theatre
Awards Ceremony – 5:30pm

Location: Theatre
Closing Reception – 6:00pm

Location: Lobby

Free with block ticket purchase or festival pass.