2nd Annual Black Film Festival: Celebrating the Voices and Stories From Black Independent Filmmakers

Can’t wait for the Detroit Black Film Festival? You’re not alone! Trinity Films Entertainment Group (TFEG) the Ford Foundation and The Carr Center present the 2nd annual Detroit Black Film Festival, featuring 57 amazing films from 11 countries September 23-26, 2021. The festival aims to elevate narratives that center the experiences and culture of Black people globally.

Spearheaded by co-director Lazar and Marshalle Favors of Trinity Films Entertainment Group (TFEG), the event opened Thursday September 23rd with a 5-hour block of short and feature length films.

Screenings are taking place at the Downtown Marlene Boll Family YMCA Theater (1401 Broadway) as well as wrapping up with an awards ceremony at The Garden Theater in Midtown.

“We’ve selected a wide range for audiences to enjoy. The genres include drama, comedy, action, thriller, romance and more,” said festival co-Director, Lazar Favors. Films include:

“Navy”, by Director, Duaine Carma Roberts, 1hour-30mins | “Talk”, by
Director, Trivelle Simpson, 18mins |“PROJECT H”, by Director, Maharaki, 5mins |

“The Zone”, by Director, Tamara S. Hall, 6mins | “Feisty Fighter- The Marnesba Tackett Story”, by
Director, Lillian Glass, 41mins | “WHITE TEARS”, by Director, Tommy Franklin, 24mins |

“Niceville”, by Director, Bree Nieves, 13mins | “The Eternal Extra”, by Director, Carltaise Ransom,

27mins | “ISSUES OF THE HEART”, by Director, Tola Olatunji, 1hour-20mins | “AJE IJO SERIES (4th INSTALLMENT FINALE): IMMORTAL”, by Director, Kiana Harris, 14mins.

Opening night kicks off with a powerful documentary; “Ain’t Your Mama’s Heat Wave,” featuring 4 Black millennial stand-up comedians who grapple with the climate crisis and racial injustices in various communities, by Elijah Karriem (Director) and “In A Sentimental Mood,” by Detroiter, Zachary Cunningham (Producer/Director). This film follows Jacob (Don Snipes), a lonely writer who tries to makes sense of the seemingly endless cycle of drama that his career seems to cause in his personal life and Kacie (Deborah Lane Spencer), a therapist who tries to escape her reality by taking a night away from everything she knows and loves in order to make sure that her life is what she wants it to be. The two meet and are drawn to each other’s charm.

The following films on Friday, September 24^th will include a Q&A with the filmmakers and some cast members: “Silent Partner,” by Director, Aristotle Torres, 16mins | “Kuongoza,” by Directors, Ebony Payne-English and Myles Dante Yazell, 35mins | “Sundays in July,” by Director, Joseph E. Austin II, 1hour-25mins | “Chicago Guy,” by Director, Shahari Moore.

Saturday, September 25^th features a special lineup of filmmakers from Detroit: “Booked,” by Director, Shawntay Dalon, 40mins | “Derrick,” by Director, Arthur Cartwright, 18mins | “Coachable,” by Director, Jake Alexander McAfee, 28mins | “Project 8,” by Director, David Tinsley, 1hour-20mins | “Dhath,” by Director, Anthony Cuffie, 20mins.The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 6pm at the Garden Theater in midtown (3929 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48201).

Click on the image below for information about the films

Get your tickets to The Detroit Black Film Festival here