Communities First, Inc. has partnered with the Flint Institute of Arts to host the sixth annual African American Film Series. Due to the challenges of this year, the series will look a bit different, this year's series will be virtual. The selections are designed to inspire, inform, empower and entertain the participants. The series will start on Thursday, December 17, 2020 with Willie: The Story of Willie O'Ree, the First Black NHL Player.
The series takes place once a month from December to March and is sponsored in part by Flint Institute of Arts, Ira Rutherford, Bobby Mukkamala, Consumer Energy, Mass Transportation Authority, Kettering University, Genesee Health Systems, HAP, Mott Community College, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, TV 25, and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
The schedule for the film series is:
Film Screening - Thursday, December 17-20
Willie: The Story of Willie O’Ree the First Black NHL Player
Trailer for Wille
In the midst of America's tumultuous fight to end Jim Crow and the birth of the civil rights movement, Willie - the descendant of escaped slaves - became the first black player to skate in a National Hockey League game. Rated PG
Panel Discussion – December 19 at 2:00 PM on Communities First, Inc. Facebook page and YouTube Channel
Film Screening - Thursday, January 21-24
John Lewis: Good Trouble
Trailer for John Lewis: Good Trouble
John Lewis: Good Trouble surveys the life and hard-fought achievements of the legendary civil rights activist and Democratic Representative from Georgia. Combining rare archival footage and interviews—with congressional newcomers including Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Civil Rights Movement giants like James Clyburn and the late Elijah Cummings—the documentary looks back on its subject’s 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, healthcare reform and immigration. Rated PG
Panel Discussion – January 23 at 2:00 PM on Communities First, Inc. Facebook page and YouTube Channel
Film Screening - Thursday, February 18-21
Fast Colors
Trailer for Fast Colors
Hunted by mysterious forces, a young woman who has supernatural abilities must go on the run when her powers are discovered. With nowhere else to go, she flees back to her family and the farmhouse she abandoned long ago. There, while being pursued by the local sheriff, she begins to mend the broken relationships with her mother and daughter and learns that the power she needed was inside her all along. Rated PG-13
Panel Discussion – February 20 at 2:00 PM on Communities First, Inc. Facebook page and YouTube Channel
Film Screening - Thursday, March 18-21
The Banker
Trailer for The Banker
Inspired by true events, “The Banker” centers on revolutionary businessmen Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, who devise an audacious and risky plan to take on the racially oppressive establishment of the 1960s by helping other African Americans pursue the American dream. Rated PG-13
Panel Discussion – March 20 at 2:00 PM on Communities First, Inc. Facebook page and YouTube Channel
This is a free movie, registration is required. You can register at Click Here to Register to See the Film, donations are accepted. A $25 party pack is available for purchase. Each Saturday following the start of the film, there will be a live panel discussion available on Facebook and YouTube about the themes in the films.