Newark Black Film Festival

Festival Schedule:

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: NBFF Panel: Where Creativity Meets Commerce: Small Businesses Working with Film & TV

Discover the wealth of opportunities for filmmakers and businesses in New Jersey’s vibrant film and TV industry. Explore the resources and incentives available from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and hear from local business owners who have already benefited.

Complimentary food from Cornbread will be provided.

Panelists:

Matt Sestrich, Director – Film Tax Credits, NJEDA
Lynette LaShawn, Fashion Director & Newark business owner
Justis Pitt-Goodson, CEO and Creative Director, BrownMill
David Occhino, Location Manager, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, American Sports Story

Moderator: Desiree Hadley, Director of the Newark Office of Film and TV

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: NBFF Panel: 50 Years of Black Film

Explore the evolution of Black cinema over the past five decades. Delve into the milestones, influential films, and pivotal moments that have helped shape the landscape of film.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: NBFF Live Music in the Lounge

Unwind in the Engelhard Court Lounge’s relaxing atmosphere, featuring live music by talented musicians as part of the festival’s diverse programming.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: In the Order of Weapons: 50 Years of Community Film Across Black America

As we celebrate 50 years of the Newark Black Film Festival, we reflect on a legacy of bold vision and voices in Black film. This program celebrates the community as filmmaker. These films were not made to sell tickets in movie theaters — they were collectively created by community entities to confront local power, preserve local histories and effect local change.  

Join us for this dynamic curation of radical short documentaries, made across geographies, over the past 50 years, about, by and in service to Black communities across the United States.   

Panther AKA Off The Pig (1967)

by San Francisco Newsreel (15 mins)
A compelling document of the Black Panther Party leadership in 1967.  One of Newsreel’s most widely distributed films, it was originally released as “Off the Pig.” This short film features drawings from activist artist Emory Douglas.

The Taking of One Liberty Place (1987)

by Louis Massiah, Carlton Jones, Scribe Video Center (8 mins)
A moving, “you-are-there” document of the October 1, 1987 sit-in and occupation of Philadelphia’s newest and largest office building, One Liberty Place. The demonstrators, many of whom were homeless and/or members of the National Homeless Union, chose this building as a symbol of both misplaced corporate and government priorities.

Black Women, Sexual Politics and Revolution (1992)

by Not Channel Zero Collective (29 mins)
Black women speak candidly on issues of sex, class and gender roles. The video examines how African American women deal with issues of poverty, abortion, battering and lack of health care, and addresses how women’s roles in community struggle and activism are often overlooked or ignored. The video also looks at media portrayals with an emphasis on the representation of Black women in music videos.

Mothers of Terrell Homes (2019)

by Rita Fortenberry, Dorothy Brazell, Rosemary Horsley, Rhonda Napier, Valerie Hall, Betty Brazell, Isaac Green Diebboll,  (21 mins)
A multi-generational matriarchy fights to protect their home, a 275 unit public housing complex in the Ironbound Neighborhood of Newark, NJ that has been slated for demolition.

Following this screening will be a panel discussion featuring MacArthur prize-winning documentary filmmaker and founding executive director of Philadelphia’s Scribe Video Center, Louis Massiah.  The panel will be moderated by Yvonne Michelle Shirley, director of Express Newark’s Community Media Center.

5:00 pm: Newark Black Film Festival: Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted

Join us for a screening of Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted.

Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted

Directed by Isaac Gale, Ryan Olson, and David McMurry (95 min). Not rated
Cult musician Swamp Dogg and housemates Moogstar and Guitar Shorty have turned their suburban LA home into an artistic haven. They journey through the turbulent music business, forming a special friendship transcending eras.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Swamp Dogg, Moogstar, and Dr. Jeri Williams.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Listening is Fundamental: Black Film Edition, with Egypt

A special edition of the exciting sample recognition bingo game, curated by Newark native, Egypt, uniquely blending music and film. Side A showcases songs from artists who’ve made acting debuts, while Side B features songs that cleverly integrate snippets from beloved movies.

8:00 pm: Newark Black Film Festival: Rob Peace

Join us for a special screening of Rob Peace directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Rob Peace

Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor (119 min). Not rated
The story of an inner-city Newark kid who attends Yale yet ultimately succumbs to harsh economic realities and the demons of his past.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with special guests.

Tickets: $15 General Admission, $12 Students & NMOA Members, Free for all Festival Pass holders

Click here to buy tickets.