FLINT, Michigan—The fifth annual African American Film Series promises to inspire, inform, empower and entertain with a feature film night each month through February.
The event is hosted by Communities First Inc. in partnership with the Flint Institute of Arts, where the films are shown.
“Our African American Film Series is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Glenn Wilson, Communities First president/CEO. “It brings the community together for a fun experience that inspires constructive and empowering dialogue.”
The featured films are:
Thursday, Dec. 5 -- “Without a Net: The Digital Divide in America”
At a time when American students from economically deprived schools are often ill-prepared for the global, digital economy, ”Without a Net: The Digital Divide in America” explores how technology can provide opportunities for learning and help level the playing field. The one-hour film focuses on digital inequities in public school classrooms, examining the challenges of providing connectivity, technology, and computer learning in public schools (grades 6 through 12), as well as the transformative potential of fully equipping all students for the digital world. This film not rated.
Thursday, Jan. 9 – “A Ballerina’s Tale”
A feature documentary on African-American ballerina Misty Copeland that examines her prodigious rise and her potentially career-ending injury alongside themes of race and body image in the elite ballet world. This film is not rated.
Thursday, Feb. 13 – ”Mr. Church”
When a young girl and her dying mother are joined by a black male cook who comes to live with them, little do they know that their lives are about to change forever. Rated PG-13.
Doors open at the Flint Institute of Arts, 1120 E. Kearsley St., at 5:30 p.m. and the films begin at 7 p.m. Seating is limited to the first 300 guests, and there is a suggested donation of $5 per person. Following each film, there will be a brief discussion about the themes in the film.
The film series kicked off Nov. 14 with a showing of “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.”
Other sponsors of the African American Film Series include Mott Community College, the Nartel Family Foundation, and NBC25.
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