Langston Hughes African American Film Fest Closes 4/25

The Seventh Annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival will end its run April 25. The festival featured a full schedule of events including the Genie Award-winning film, "Nurse.Fighter.Boy", appearances by filmmakers including Altrick Brown, Ava DuVernay, Charles Officer, and Morgan Stiff, the Seattle Premiere of "Soundtrack for a Revolution" and "Mississippi Damned", a Family Friday, and a filmmaking workshop. The film festival is expected to draw over 2,500 people who are passionate about creating and appreciating films for the Black community. The Festival is run by community volunteers under the Direction of Jacqueline Moscou, Langston Hughes' Artistic Director.

Filmmakers expected to attend this year’s festival include: Alrick Brown (4/24 workshop); Ava DuVernay (Compton in C Minor & 4/24 workshop), Thomas Allen Harris ("Vintage", "E Minha Cara", "Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela" & 4/24 workshop), Arjun Kaul (The Flight of Calvin Waters), Sharon Lane ("Why We Do What We Do"), Charles Officer ("Nurse.Fighter.Boy."), Morgan Stiff ("Mississippi Damned"), Jessica Chen Drammeh, Sharon K. Smith ("Anomoly"), James and Rob Schaub ("Up From the Bottoms: the Search for the American Dream"), and Georgio Brown and Scott Macklin ("Top Left").

Prior to the closing night film, "Still Bill", at MOHAI on April 25th (6 pm), acclaimed gospel vocalist Josie Howell will present a musical tribute to soul music legend Bill Withers (Reception to follow). "Still Bill" is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Grandma’s Hands,” and “Just the Two of Us.”

The African American Film Festival is supported by Vulcan and Cinerama, The Lucky 7 Foundation, Seattle Parks and Recreation, The NEA, 4 Culture, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and a host of local businesses and organizations. The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival gives Northwest audiences a chance to view an array of irreverent, poignant, provocative films on topics such as youth, politics, history, social justice and relationships.

SEATTLE PREMIERE

"Soundtrack for a Revolution" with Special Performance Guests (4/24 7 pm). Join Seattle’s own Storme Webber and the beloved Total Experience Gospel Choir with Pat Wright as they prepare the audience for the powerful music featured in the film with a few renditions of their own. "Soundtrack for a Revolution" tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music –the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The film features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists, including John Legend, Angie Stone, Wyclef Jean, Mary Mary and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, and Ambassador Andrew Young. www.soundtrackforarevolutionfilm.com.

FUN FAMILY FRIDAY

Doubletime (4/23 7 pm) In the last 30 years, jump roping has moved off the sidewalks and into the gym, now featuring astounding acrobatics, lightening speed and international competition. Follows two disparate teams--one suburban white and one inner-city black--as they train to compete against each other for the very first time. http://dsc.discovery.com/promo/doubletime.

Double Dutch Demo with Northwest Double Dutch (4/23 5:30 pm) Bring your sneakers and jump in! It’s FREE! We’re blocking off the street in front of the Central Cinema and blasting a jumping-music soundtrack. The Northwest Double Dutch exhibition team ‘On the Double’ will do an incredible performance and demonstrate their skills  –it's a high flying fun event for young and old. Rain or Shine!

GLBT INTEREST & SEATTLE PREMIERE

"Mississippi Damned" (4/18 7pm) Based on true events and spanning between 1986 and 1998, it follows three young African Americans in the rural south as they suffer through the devastating cycles of poverty, addiction and abuse. Directed by Tina Mabry. Producer Morgan Stiff in attendance.  Seattle Premiere. www.mississippidamned.com.

LOCAL FILMMAKERS

Features two short films: "Top Left" (4/24 @ 7pm) by Georgio Brown and "Why I Do What I Do" (4/20 @ 5 pm) by Eddie Winston. Georgio and Eddie are longtime Seattle residents whose passion for filmmaking has grown over the years. Georgio won last years’ LHAAFF local filmmaker award.

WORKSHOP & PANEL DISCUSSION @ NORTHWEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

Tales from the “Dark” Side: The Insider’s Guide to the Filmmaking Experience (4/24 10:30–12 noon) This panel discussion features special guest filmmakers Thomas Allen Harris, Ava Duvernay and Alrick Brown. The experience of independent filmmaking is changing. Whether you “play the game” or not, you need to know the game and the process to better prepare for a successful film production experience. Know the game and play it to win. Bring questions!

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