The Rehoboth Beach Film Society is pleased to present the 5th annual Rehoboth Beach African-American Film Festival (AAFF) in partnership with the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) at the Cinema Art Theater February 16-18. The AAFF Planning Committee presents a slate of films that shines a light and informs audiences about the African American experience, their contributions both past and present day. Patrons can expect documentaries, an opening night feature film and series of shorts that examine a wide range of topics related to the film festival’s programmatic themes.
“This year’s film program will take a look back at African Americans’ efforts to fight for their country both abroad and at home, address stereotypes of today, youth incarceration, home ownership, The Manhattan Project, andtheir historic contributions right here in the first town in the first state, Lewes, DE.” Said Helen Chamberlin.
Friday, February 16, 5:00 pm – OPENING RECEPTION
The AAFF will kick-off the weekend with an opening reception on Friday at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $5 and canbe purchased at www.rehobothfilm.com.
Friday, February 16, 6:00 pm
Charlotte’s Feature Film Pick
In honor of Charlotte King, Founder of SDARJ and the inspiration behind the annual Rehoboth Beach African American Film Festival partnership, she will do the honors of selecting the evening’s feature film. The confirmed title will be announced on February 12. Reserve your tickets today!
Saturday, February 17, 2:00 pm
DOUBLE FEATURE
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN WWll: A Legacy of Patriotism & Valor
This comprehensive documentary produced by C-SPAN contains extensive footage that demonstrates the contributions of African American soldiers during WWII including footage of their courage at D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, in Italy and in the Pacific. Actual footage is infused into the documentary. Interviews with veterans including several Congressional Medal of Honor winners clearly shows the valor and bravery of our AfricanAmerican troops during WWII. [1997, USA, 49 min, Rated: NR]
761st TANK BATTLION: The Original Black Panthers
The 761st Black Tank Battalion is a powerful documentary Executive Produced by Academy Award®-winning actor Morgan Freeman for the History Channel. It tells the true story of the 761st Tank Battalion, the first Black tank unit to serve in combat during WWII. The film goes in-depth on the major battles they faced both overseas while in combat and back home in the United States. A deeply personal story for Freeman, the documentary will feature an interview with one of the last surviving members of the 761st Battalion, as well as our current and first Black Secretary of Defense, Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III. Alongside new and archival interviews, period footage, still photographs and new commentary, the film features stories from relatives of the Black Panther soldiers. It also shares insights and opinions of prominent historians on WWII and experts on race and inequality in America. [2023, USA, 47 min, Rated: NR]
Saturday, February 17, 5:00 pm
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (100th Celebration of Writer and Activist James Baldwin)
An adaption of James Baldwin’s 1974 novel, Barry Jenkin’s brings the story to film and the struggles of 1970’s Harlem. If Beale Street Could Talk tells the story of a daughter and wife-to-be, Tish who vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that had connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt (a.k.a. Fonny). Friends since childhood, Tish and Fonny dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. [2019, US, 90 minutes, Rated: R]
Wenlei Ma of News.com, exclaims, “It’s a stunning and sensuous film, gorgeously crafted and performed – the
story of young lovers in an unjust world. It’ll make your heart flutter and ache.”
FILM SHORTS – Sunday, February 18, 2 pm
Five films
57 minutes
The AAFF presents five film shorts that address a diverse range of topics from black home ownership and the 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery, to an examination of the public school system, laws that enforced racial segregation, and contributions by African Americans in the Manhattan Project.
Walnut Street
Preschool to Prison
54 Miles to Home
Jim Crow Laws & Racial Segregation in America
The Spirit That Built America: The Manhattan Project
Sunday, February 17, 4:00 pm
FINDING THEIR VOICES: AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & LEGACY OF LEWES
In partnership with the Lewes Historical Society, Finding Their Voices examines the local African American community that lived and worked in Lewes, DE in the 20th Century.
Admission for films is $9 for members, $11.50 for general audiences and $5 for students (student tickets must be purchased at the theater box office). Purchase advance tickets online at www.rehobothfilm.com or at the Cinema Art Theater box office in Lewes, Wednesday-Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM.
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society’s (RBFS) mission is to celebrate the power of visual storytelling, showcasing independent films and creating transformative experiences for people of all-ages and diverse backgrounds here in the mid-Atlantic region. The Film Society cultivates and shines a light on the nextgeneration of filmmakers which benefits the community and raises awareness on the positive impact of cinema as a performance art. The organization values integrity, accessibility and accountability.
Learn more about the Film Society’s year-round programs, CAT This Week, our award-winning Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, special events and theater rentals by visiting www.RehobothFilm.com. RBFS is funded in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts as part of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
For more information, call 302-645-9095 or email info@rehobothfilm.com
www.rehobothfilm.com
