Best of Black Harvest Library Program
After a two-year hiatus, the Film Center is proud to announce the return of the Best of Black Harvest (BoBH) Library program. The Black Harvest Film Festival strives to leverage its resources in media, entertainment, and the arts to raise awareness and acknowledge the many invaluable contributions to cinema that Black creators provide. The Best of Black Harvest in partnership with Chicago Public Library offers community centered screenings and Q&A’s at three Chicago Public Library locations in historically Black neighborhoods on the South and West Side.
The Best of Black Harvest screenings at the Chicago Public Library locations are FREE and open to the public.The Film center seeks to mitigate the disparities in access and equity in the arts through BoBH’s fun, family-friendly, cultural program series. These screenings aim to serve communities directly by offering The Best of the Black Harvest Film Festival experience at their local library branch. We are thrilled to amplify emerging Black filmmakers and celebrate Black cinema across the diaspora. Best of Black Harvest attendees will each receive one free ticket to this year’s 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival. Free refreshments from a local Chicago business will also be served.
2022 BoBH Library Program Schedule
LET THE LITTLE LIGHT SHINE / 2022, dir. Kevin Shaw, USA, 86 min, In English
Chicago 2017: After closing down dozens of public schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration sets out to shutter yet another, the top-ranked National Teachers Academy in the South Loop. But mother-professor-activist Elisabeth Greer and members of her community are fighting back. Filmmaker Kevin Shaw (a director on Steve James’ AMERICA TO ME) was on the ground for the entire riveting David vs. Goliath saga. As the film tracks this passionate group of parents and students rising up for their beloved elementary school, it also reveals the bracing realities of systemic racism and gentrification. Director Kevin Shaw scheduled to attend.
SCHEDULE:
Pullman Library (11001 S Indiana Avenue): Thursday, October 6 at 5:30pm
Austin Library (5615 W Race Avenue): Saturday, October 8 at 2:00pm
Coleman Library (731 E 63rd Street): Wednesday, October 12 at 5:30pm
BEST OF BHFF SHORTS / 2020-2021, various directors, USA, Canada, 60 min, In English
These four exceptional films from the 2021 Black Harvest Film Festival explore how we define family and how our personal histories and experiences are shaped by those closest to us, and by the strangers we meet. This eclectic mix of films represents the visionary voices of Black filmmakers today. Contains some mature language.
In FUFU (2021, dir. Omolola Ajao / Canada, 15 min. / in English), a daughter converses with tradition. In BABY (2021, dir. Cole Swanson / USA, 20 min. / in English), a young Black father must learn to navigate parenthood after his girlfriend mysteriously abandons him and their five-year-old daughter. In PATOIS (2020, directors Andre Muir and Danielle Alston / USA, 13 min / in English), a first-generation child struggles to find herself and fit in with daily life at a typical American school. In REOPENING (2021, dir. Caralene Robinson / USA, 12 min. / in English), winner of the Black Harvest Film Festival Richard and Ellen Sandor Award, Best Short, Layla dares to leave the house after months in a depressed quarantine. PATOIS co-director Andre Muir and producer Zach Moore scheduled to attend.
SCHEDULE:
Pullman Library (11001 S Indiana Avenue): Thursday, October 13 at 5:30pm
Austin Library (5615 W Race Avenue): Saturday, October 15 at 2:00pm
Coleman Library (731 E 63rd Street): Wednesday, October 19 at 5:30pm
IT'S DIFFERENT IN CHICAGO / 2021, dir. David Weathersby, USA, 91 min, In English
In IT'S DIFFERENT IN CHICAGO, director David Weatherby (Black Harvest Film Festival alum and director of 2019's THEE DEBAUCHERY BALL) chronicles the history of house and hip hop music in Chicago, and how the two styles complemented and competed with each other, leading to revelations and evolution within the city’s Black community. Contains some mature language. Director David Weathersby scheduled to attend.
SCHEDULE:
Pullman Library (11001 S Indiana Avenue): Thursday, October 20 at 5:30pm
Austin Library (5615 W Race Avenue): Saturday, October 22 at 2:00pm
Coleman Library (731 E 63rd Street): Wednesday, October 26 at 5:30pm