October 3 – 24, 2024 | Thursdays at 7:30pm

It’s the 3rd Black American Film Festival at the Carroll Arts Center! This free festival is a celebration of Black storytelling with a special focus on stories that provide a dynamic perspective of Black experiences. Curated and hosted by Dr. Erin Watley, Assoc. Professor in McDaniel College’s Communication & Cinema Department, these four films highlight Black liberation, LGBTQIA+ history, fame, pop culture, and much more.

Each film features a brief introduction to provide context and is followed by a facilitated discussion with Dr. Erin Watley.

Sankofa is a Twi word from the Akan tribe in Ghana that loosely translates to “go back and get it.” This word represents the importance of shamelessly learning from the past to move forward into the future. This year, I hope that each BAFF film can be experienced with a sense of sankofa, where the stories on screen reflect information from the past that can better guide the way we build our future.

Reflection notes about each selected film:

American Fiction – We DO impact the media we DON’T consume. Less than 6% of books published in the United States are from Black authors in 2023. American Fiction (2024 Oscar Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay) gives a glimpse of the tension put on Black authors to craft stories that are marketable to broad audiences.

Kokomo City – Support art that might not center stories that you are familiar with. Kokomo City is about survival, institutional failures, personal triumphs, searching for love and community. It just so happens that these themes are explored through the lens of Black transgender sex workers whose experiences may be more connected to yours than you imagine.

Black Ice – Did you know that hockey has been a Black sport since the 1800’s? Black Ice explores the influence that Black people have always had on the sport and the damage caused in the present when that legacy isn’t acknowledged.

Wakanda Forever – The sequel to Black Panther may be known for its action and adventure in connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Come and watch it again for the lessons on navigating grief, starting over, and cross-cultural world building. This film has something for everyone in your family or community group.

Festival Sponsored by: