From Feb. 25 – March 11, the Center for Black Diaspora at DePaul will host its inaugural Black Diaspora Short Film Festival. All are welcome to attend the free virtual event. Information about the festival's 12 film lineup is available online.
The festival is aimed at unearthing emerging Black filmmakers who have narrative, documentary, animation or experimental works that explore diverse themes related to the Black experience in the United States and around the world.
“Covid-19 and its wrath have forced us all to step back, reflect and to reconsider our priorities," says Juelle Daley, assistant director for the center and artistic director for the film festival. “The same is true of the Center for Black Diaspora, created to promote and support the production of scholarly, cultural and creative work related to the experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world. Last year was tumultuous on all fronts, race included, but it gave birth to exciting and impactful new initiatives, including this festival."
Registration for the first film screening, "My Love, Ethiopia," scheduled for Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m., is now available. Set during the time of the Red Terror war in 1970's in Ethiopia, the film follows the turbulent and mystical journey of a young girl searching for freedom after being separated from her family.
Registration for the subsequent 11 films screenings will be made available on the center's website. Watch a trailer for the festival below.