Inaugural Smithsonian African American Film Fest To Take Place In Washington, D.C. This Week


It's going to be a pretty epic and hectic week in Washington, D.C. this week. Not only is it time for Howard University's annual homecoming festivities, but the inaugural Smithsonian African American Film Fest is also happening beginning on Wednesday, October 24th and running through Saturday, October 27th. The film festival is presented by the National Museum of African American History & Culture and described as, "Where cinema meets history and culture."

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Cinematic works of the past will be showcased alongside contemporary films at the Smithsonian African American Film Fest. Screenings, master classes, conversations with industry professionals and additional events are scheduled over the course of the four-day affair. Highlights include the opening night premiere of feature film Widows, directed by Academy Award winner Steve McQueen and starring Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Daniel Kaluuya and Brian Tyree Henry; the Night at the Museum Celebration honoring veteran filmmakers Madeline Anderson and Charles Burnett and featuring the first time display of Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther hero costume; a special screening of Quincy Jones' Netflix documentary Quincy and the closing night premiere of Barry Jenkins' feature film adaptation of James Baldwin's 1974 novel If Beale Street Could Talk starring Regina King, Stephan James and Colman Domingo.

What makes the Smithsonian African American Film Fest unique and unlike any other is its association with the NMAAHC and thematic organization around its collections and exhibitions. Each day of the Smithsonian African American Film Fest will be a celebration of the cinematic arts with over 80 films, many made by creatives of color, to be screened.

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This film festival is open to the public, and, although passes are sold out, tickets to individual screenings and events are still on sale. For more information on the first-ever Smithsonian African American Film Fest and to see the full schedule, visit the official website.

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