“Raw, gritty, powerful, and unapologetic,” were the words used by DeAnne Connolly Graham to describe the film. She was among the over 100 attendees for the advanced screening of “Light Found in the Dark: The Life Story of Dr. Steve Gallon III”, a new documentary capturing the life story of School Board Vice-Chair and lifelong educator Dr. Steve Gallon III. The advanced screening was held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Historic Ward Rooming House and hosted by the Point Comfort Art Fair and Show, along with the Southeast Overtown/Park West CRA. Gallon, who has served as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and Superintendent of Schools before being elected as School Board Member for District 1, teamed up with local artists Arvis Lawson and James ‘Munch” Mungin II on the project as Executive Producer with Lawson serving as Director and Mungin as Producer.

“Yes, this is an art gallery focused on art, specifically Black art,” said Christopher Norwood, organizer of the Point Comfort Art Fair and Show who reached out to Gallon and his team about featuring the film. “Tonight, Dr. Gallon, Arvis, and James are artists. They are using Dr. Gallon’s life as a canvas, a work of art, to educate, enlighten, and inspire,” he said as he gave opening remarks before presenting the film.

Light Found in the Dark focuses on the life of renowned educator, Dr. Steve Gallon III, who rose from the streets of Miami’s Liberty City to become a teacher, principal, Superintendent, and now the Vice Chair of the Miami-Dade County School Board, the nation’s 4th largest school district. Part 1 of the three part documentary examined and explored Gallon’s deeply personal, often problematic, and even painful period growing up in Liberty City. The 1980’s Liberty City riots, the deaths of childhood friends and even the senseless killing of a popular Miami-Dade County Schools teacher by a childhood associate provided grim context and setting during Gallon’s formative years. The film uses Gallon’s real life in framing the narrative and struggle of young Black males decades ago and even today, and their continued struggle, no matter their place in today’s society, to avoid pitfalls which too often lead to prison, poverty, or an early death.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher and Liberty City native and activist Amber Hayward took to Facebook to give kudos to the production. “Goosebumps all night! Talking about an event that left you feeling amazing,” she said. “I felt so proud to be a product of Liberty City. I was so proud because Dr. Steve Gallon told his story, so many of our stories, and he made us feel good.”

Among the attendees with one of Gallon’s older brothers who was highlighted in the film and served time in prison, was another person featured in the film, who Gallon expressed strong respect and adoration for, and who was the “brother” from another mother. Leon, who Gallon recognized in the audience, served 25 years in federal prison and was released in 2012 to join him and his family when Gallon buried his late mother, Virginia. “It was a tale of two criminal justice systems---two different outcomes for essentially the same charge. My brother pleaded guilty and served 5 years. Leon went to trial and was sentenced to 30 years and served 25. The system essentially punishes you more harshly for fighting…for challenging it,” Gallon shared with the audience during the Q & A with him, Lawson, and Mungin which was moderated by Norwood.

“Gallon’s life story and journey reflect yet another iteration in the narratives told by Claude Brown in Manchild in the Promise Land and Nathan McCall in Makes Me Wanna Holler,” said Norwood and we are proud that the film was debuted at the Point Comfort Art Fair and Show right here in Overtown.

The evening included a live performance by local HipHop/Rap artist Gemhe Real, who performed his original song “Tunnel Vision” which served as the film’s lead soundtrack. Gemhe Real is a former student of Gallon’s at Miami Northwestern where Gallon served as principal. Real shared the impact that his former principal had on his life. “Dr. Gallon saved lives” said Real. “I know because he saved mine and never gave up on me. I am blessed to be up here reppin’ Overtown, the West, and this film and Doc’s life and message through my music.

The next screening is planned for February 2021.

View the film’s trailer at https://youtu.be/jxTRh1VQiec

Dr. Steve Gallon III, James “Munch” Mungin II, and Arvis Lawson

Photos:   Dennis Manuel

Miami filmmaker Dorian Munroe receives $14,000 to produce film

MIAMI BEACH – Seeking to tell the stories of the Liberty City bike riders who fill the streets on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in an act of community and protest, filmmaker Dorian Munroe took home the top prize in The Block, Oolite Arts’ new short documentary contest.

Munroe received $14,000 from Oolite Arts to produce the documentary “These Kids This City,” which he began to shoot during the 2019 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration. This year, some of the bike riders, who were protesting redevelopment in Liberty City, were confronted by an angry man on the Brickell Bridge, who threatened them with a gun and racial slurs, and was ultimately charged with a hate crime.

“Growing up in Miami, I was always curious about this movement. Why Liberty City, and why on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? I’ve always seen it depicted negatively by the media, so this year I set out to see this movement first hand and to answer these questions for myself,” Munroe said. “In light of the hate crime and the viral video that captured it, this movement has been catapulted into the national spotlight.”

Munroe pitched his idea before a live studio audience and a jury of national and local film professionals for The Block, one of the ways Oolite Arts seeks to build a pipeline of local filmmakers. With stories from Hialeah to Westchester and the waters off Coconut Grove, each of the finalists received a cash prize for their film – with a total of $32,000 invested in the documentaries.

“Miami is a city of stories, and winners of The Block are helping to shine a light on them all over our county. We’re delighted to be able to give them the support they need to bring these stories to our screens,” said Dennis Scholl, Oolite Arts’ president and CEO.

All of the finalists will receive access to the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archive.The top three winners will receive help making their films from the University of Miami School of Communication’s Department of Cinema and Interactive Media. The Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation is the lead sponsor for this program.

"By supporting these filmmakers, we're supporting the communities whose stories they're sharing,” said Jason Fitzroy Jeffers, Oolite Arts’ Cinematic Arts program manager. “Homegrown films such as these allow us to understand ourselves and our neighbors across Miami more deeply."

The other winners, and their award amounts, are as follows:

Guadalupe Figueras, for “Isle of Mine” ($8,000)

What is it like to come of age on an island threatened by the effects of climate change? A group of Normandy Isle children explore their own future, by reconstructing an exact replica of their neighborhood on the gaming platform Minecraft. In this virtual world, the children rehearse future scenarios of climate change-induced disasters, in a telling re-enactment of their own trauma following Hurricane Irma. The mixed media documentary “Isle of Mine” will provide a way for them to express their feelings about the future, while imagining other possible solutions and outcomes for their hometown.

Ariana Hernández-Reguant, for “Seminola, Hialeah” ($6,000)

Every two years on a summer Saturday, the descendants of Seminola’s original settlers gather at the Hialeah neighborhood’s central green for Cotson Day, a celebration of community and history. Once a vibrant community of about 2,500 African Americans, the neighborhood has been decimated in recent years. The film will document this history, and follow past and current residents preparing for the big day.

Annik Adey-Babinski, for “Mooring” ($2,000)

For more than 30 years, 500-plus residents have called the mooring field and anchorage off Dinner Key Marina home. After monster storm Irma shredded docks and sank boats in 2017, landlubbing city officials left the community bobbing in disrepair. In “Mooring,” Mike and fellow liveaboards will reflect on the current state of the neighborhood and its storied past, and face the precarious future of their unique community.

Vincent Rives, for “El Afilador” ($2,000)

El Afilador– the knife sharpener – drives around the neighborhood in what appears to be an ice cream truck, complete with its own jingle. Yet a muffled voice blares from the speakerphone, offering the man’s services as a knife sharpener. To those not from the Westchester area, it sounds unusual. Why is this man sharpening knives in his truck? Locals know the man has brought a humble blue collar job from Cuba to the United States, and is, just like everyone else, trying to make a living.

In addition to the five finalists, the following filmmakers earned a special jury mention for their submissions, and will receive $1,000 for their projects: Daniel Rivero, Vanessa Charlot, Nicole Martinez, Alicia Edwards, Nadia Tahoun and Matthew Abad.

The Block is part of Oolite Arts’ new Cinematic Arts Program, which provides training and opportunities for local filmmakers, including a Cinematic Arts Residency which offers funding for filmmakers to make a microbudget narrative film.

For more information, visit oolitearts.org/TheBlock.

Please join me this weekend in viewing the semi-autobiographical movie, Moonlight. The film’s director and writer is Barry Jenkins. It is adapted from In the Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, a play written by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Both accomplished young men are from the projects in Liberty City and challenging family situations. Jenkins is a graduate of Miami Northwestern Senior High and McCraney attended New World School of the Arts. 

Much of the scenery in Moonlight was shot in Liberty City. From the rave reviews, this movie is sure to be Oscar-nominated. 

Here is the link to local theaters and times. http://www.fandango.com/moonlight2016_194816/movietimes O Cinema in Wynwood is featuring a Q&A with Tarell Alvin McCraney, tonight and Saturday after the 7 pm showings.

 @vanessawbyers

Tomorrow, August 26, 2016, is the national premiere of the highly anticipated film Southside With You. It is the fictionalized account of the first date of future First Couple, Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) and Michelle Robinson (Tika Sumpter). Please see this movie this weekend. I encourage everyone to see this film but I’m making a special request for my Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters to support our sisters, Tika Sumpter and Vanessa Bell Calloway who is cast as Marian Robinson, Michelle’’s mother. Sumpter is also one of the producers of the film along with John Legend who is one of the executive producers. 

The timing of the release of this movie makes some folks think about the impending end of the Barack Obama term as President of the United States. *deep sigh*

Related Link:

Official website: Southside With You

 @vanessawbyers

Rapper/actor Big Boi, left, with Will and Heather Packer at private screening of Nate Parker's 'Birth of A Nation'

(ATLANTA) Famed film producer, Will Packer, and his wife, Heather Packer, hosted a private A-list screening of the upcoming Nate Parker film, The Birth of a Nation, at their home in Atlanta, GA.

The evening kicked off with a light reception, complete with full bar and passed hors d’oeuvres, and transitioned into the Packer House theater where Will and Heather welcomed guests into their home and shared why they felt it necessary to host this film. They also spoke about the importance of historical presentations like his mini-series reboot of Roots and The Birth of a Nation.  Liquid Soul CEO, Tirrell Whittley, then took the stage and thanked everyone for being at the forefront of support for this amazing film. 

In the audience: Ambassador Andrew Young (Civil Rights and Political Icon); Ludacris (Rapper, Fast & Furious franchise) and Eudoxie Bridges; Big Boi (OutKast); Kandi & Todd Tucker (Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta); Michael Ealy (Actor, The Perfect Guy); Naturi Naughton (Actress, Starz’Power); LeToya Luckett (Singer/Actress); Chaka Zulu (Music Exec/DTP); Rob Hardy (Film/TV Director/Producer); Ceasar Mitchell (President, Atlanta City Council); Ebony Barley (Director of Special Events, City of Atlanta); and many more!

Set against the antebellum South, The Birth of a Nation follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom. Cast: Nate Parker, Aja Naomi King, Gabrielle Union, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis. 

The Birth of a Nation opens nationwide on October 7.

The Birth of Nation - Will Packer Private Screening from LIQUID SOUL on Vimeo.

 McDonald's "My Community" Video Competition 

McDonald's ABFF and Barbershop: The Next Cut film director, Malcolm D. Lee are excited to return with this national video competition for rising filmmakers for the second year! McDonald's challenges you to create a 90-second film that illustrates McDonald's 365Black mantra, "Deeply Rooted in Your Community." Submissions will be critiqued on creativity, implementation of concept and quality.

Three finalists will be selected to attend the festival, screen their story before the festival audience, where one winner will be selected. In addition, finalists will have an exclusive opportunity to experience a mentor session with critically-acclaimed film director Malcolm D. Lee (Barbershop: The Next Cut, The Best Man Holiday and The Best Man).

The following provides general submission information for the McDonald's Lovin' Video Competition:

• Video must not exceed 90 seconds in length.
• Video must not contain material that violates or infringes another's rights, including but not limited to privacy, publicity or intellectual property rights, or constitute copyright infringement.
• Video content must be family friendly in line with the image of McDonald's.
• Video must not contain third-party brand names, trademarks, photos, artwork or music.
• Video must not be exhibited publicly at any time prior to the close of the 2016 American Black Film Festival/ June 19, 2016 and will be disqualified if in breach.
• Video must be submitted via a private online URL link (for example an unlisted YouTube video, a password protected Vimeo, etc.), along with password if applicable and your completed submission form, to be emailed to: [email protected] by no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, April 15, 2016. Email subject to read: McDonald's Video Entry. Deadline: April 15, 2016

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!   For more information on the 2016 ABFF visit abff.com.

Last night's premiere of Miles Ahead at the Writers Guild Theater in Los Angeles, sponsored by Maestro Dobel Tequila, brought out celeb supporters of Don Cheadle who wrote, starred and directed the Miles Davis Biopic.

Raw. Explicit language. Real. Powerful. Covers a lot of subjects. The Field: Miami. The Miami people don't see. 

Related Link: 

You’ll Never Look At Miami The Same After Worldstar’s New ‘Field’ Documentary