Hosted by NBC 5 Chicago’s LeeAnn Trotter, the festival kicks off with a unique parade of Black Harvest Film Festival filmmakers in a virtual red carpet. Honorary co chairs Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshlman will welcome patrons via video. Then sit back and enjoy the Black Harvest Feast program of five short films, ranging from local to international, providing a true taste of the festival’s diverse array of upcoming offerings.
Stop-motion animation creates a world reflective of today, unpacking the current problem with policing for the black male. Too many of my friends share the same story. (Description courtesy of the director)
Content Warning: Content may be uncomfortable for some viewers; discretion is advised.
Set in the buzzing city of Johannesburg, OPUS follows a day in the life of Lebo, a young aspiring bassist whose dream is to play in the national orchestra. In Tswana with English subtitles. (Description courtesy of the director)
Evocative animation illustrates a Black cop’s memories of a Chicago Police Department divided by race.
A grieving sister finds solace in virtual reality. (Description courtesy of the director)
At her high school graduation party, a teenage girl scrambles to recover stolen college tuition money before her family members catch on to her secret. (Description courtesy of the director)