UNSEEN

Directed by Set Hernandez

As a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces uncertainty to obtain his college degree, become a social worker, and support his family. Through experimental cinematography and sound, unseen reimagines the accessibility of cinema, while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health.

Doc West Moves

Directed by Federico Muchnik

Doc West Moves follows Cambridge, Massachusetts, resident Lewis “Doc” West—a blind, Black blues musician—as he moves out of his current apartment and into a new place across town. No matter where he goes, Doc lives with the power of Jesus and faith that the Lord will provide for him and see him through life’s challenges.

Q&A with filmmaker, community leaders and ASL interpretation following the screening.

• Federico Muchnik – Director, Doc West Moves

• Christopher Robinson – Founder, Vice President, Clerk, Think Outside the Vox

• Maria Hendricks, Multi-Lingual Interpreter, Artist & Activist

• Sabrina Aviles – Moderator; Director, CineFest Latino Boston

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, mass shooting/gun violence, depression

ACCESS: English and Spanish; Open Captions; Audio Description; American Sign Language interpretation following the screening

$12 | Tickets

Emmy winning documentary, Dawnland, tells the untold story of indigenous child removal in which the stakes of family separation policy are no less than cultural survival. Going behind the scenes of the Maine-Wabanaki truth and reconciliation commission.

Part of the series Shared Stories: Community, Conversation, and Connection Through Cinema. Presented by ArtsEmerson in collaboration with the Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF), Cinefest Latino Boston, and the Roxbury International Film Festival (RoxFilm).

A must see film!

Q & A to follow with director.

FREE; first come, first serve

Co-presented with the Roxbury International Film Festival, Harvard University Native American Program, United American Indians of New England and North American Indian Center of Boston

This program, curated by ROXFILM, celebrates the vibrant diversity and rich cultural tapestry of Indigenous communities around the world. The program is a carefully curated selection of films that illuminate the stories, traditions, and struggles of Indigenous peoples, offering a powerful platform for their voices to be heard. Each film has been selected with a deep respect for Indigenous perspectives, shedding light on the unique histories, traditions, and contemporary issues faced by these communities. From remote landscapes to urban environments, these films capture the essence of Indigenous identity, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of preservation of Indigenous cultures that shape our global heritage.

Co-presented with the Roxbury International Film Festival, the Salem Film Festival, the Independent Film Festival Boston, the Boston Women’s Film Festival, Harvard University Native American Program, United American Indians of New England and North American Indian Center of Boston

FREE / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE

Directed by Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler, documentary, English, United States, 98 minutes, 2023

When the Muscogee Nation government abruptly repeals its landmark Free Press Act to muzzle the tribe’s hard-hitting news outlet, defiant and foul-mouthed journalist Angel Ellis charges headfirst into a historic (and surprisingly funny) battle to restore her tribe’s press freedoms. An enthralling, edge-of-your-seat nail biter that unfurls with the energy and suspense of a political thriller, Bad Press is a timely and unprecedented documentary about a lone journalist fighting a corrupt system for her fellow citizens. Discussion with directors Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler and journalist Angel Ellis to follow. GD, BIPOC, SJ [CC]

THE SPACE RACE weaves together the stories of Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars, including Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight and Charles Bolden, among many others. In THE SPACE RACE, directors Diego Hurtado de Mendoza and Lisa Cortés profile the pioneering Black pilots, scientists and engineers who joined NASA to serve their country in space, even as their country failed to achieve equality for them back on Earth. From 1963, when the assassination of JFK thwarted Captain Ed Dwight’s quest to reach the moon, to 2020, when the echoes of the civil unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd reached the International Space Station, the story of African Americans at NASA is a tale of world events colliding with the aspirations of uncommon men. The bright dreams of Afrofuturism become reality in THE SPACE RACE, turning science fiction into science fact and forever redefining what “the right stuff” looks like, giving us new heroes to celebrate and a fresh history to explore

Sunday, February 4th | 1:00PM | Coolidge Corner Theatre (290 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446)

PANORAMA: Origin

After the screening, join us for a discussion with Dr. Suraj Yengde, a leading world scholar on the subject of caste who plays himself in the film, and WGBH’s Phillip Martin. Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, Origin chronicles the tragedy and triumph of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions.

After the screening, join us for a discussion with Dr. Suraj Yengde, a leading world scholar on the subject of caste who plays himself in the film, and WGBH’s Phillip Martin.

PROGRAM + TICKET INFORMATION HERE

The Loop Lab Apprentice Showcase

‘Join The Loop Lab on January 17th for Loop Lab's 6th cohort showcase, hosted by Lisa Simmons, co-founder of the Roxbury International Film Festival. This impactful event, co-sponsored by Audible, State Street Foundation, and The Brattle Foundation, will feature compelling short films addressing social issues in Cambridge, followed by engaging Q&A discussions—an evening dedicated to fostering awareness and dialogue in collaboration with Audible.’

RSVP HERE

Celebrate the Holidays with The Porch! 

We invite you to our final reading in the Family Recipes Reading Series: "Holiday Feast!". Come enjoy readings of 3 episodes from Black sitcoms featuring 227, Girlfriends, and Living Single!  

Join us on December 9 at 8 pm at The Modern Theatre for an evening of laughter, drauma, and Holiday spirit! 

Get your tickets here.

Co-presented with the Independent Film Festival Boston and Globedocs.

Directed by Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli, documentary, English, United States, 118 minutes, 2023.

Lakota Nation vs. the United States chronicles the Lakota Indians’ century-long quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was stolen in violation of treaty agreements. A searing, timely portrait of resistance, the film explores the ways America has ignored its debt to indigenous communities, and ponders what might be done today to repair the wrongs of the past. Discussion with Emerson College professor Adam Spry (White Earth Anishinaabe) to follow. GD, BIPOC, SJ, En [CC, AD].

Director: Nneka Onuorah (USA 2023; 85 minutes)

Content warning: Homophobia

"Truth Be Told" presents an unfiltered look at the diverse experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Black church. With the aim of sparking a conversation that has never been had before, the film dives deep into the culture, struggles, and triumphs of those who navigate their faith while also embracing their sexual and gender identities.

The documentary features an impressive roster of interviews, including renowned figures such as Billy Porter, Cedric the Entertainer, and David and Tamela Mann. These influential voices in the entertainment industry bring their personal experiences to the forefront, offering insights into the complex dynamics between the Black church and the LGBTQ+ community.

Director Nneka Onuorah, known for her Emmy-winning work, attaches her own personal journey to the film, ensuring an authentic and heartfelt narrative. By intertwining her experiences with those of the interviewees, Onuorah aims to provide an intimate and relatable exploration of living at the intersection of faith and queer identity.

America’s Family

(Director Anike Tourse; 103 minutes)

americasfamilymovie.com chirla.org ,

America's Family Synopsis

This holiday season, experience the inspiring story of a family that is torn apart by ICE, but never broken. From rising BIPOC director, Anike Tourse, comes a powerful and moving film about the immigrant experience in America. 

When ICE raids the Diaz home on Thanksgiving Day, the family is ripped apart. Mother Marisol is arrested and detained, father Jorge is forced to seek refuge in a synagogue, and eldest son Koke is deported. Middle son Emiliano, an attorney, launches a crusade in the courts to reunite the family, while youngest daughter Valentina sparks a social media campaign that shares their story with the world. 
 

As each family member braves their way through the crisis, they discover unexpected reserves of love, faith and the restorative resilience of community. 

Join this moving journey as the Diaz family discovers supporters on both sides of the border, standing by their side and championing their quest to be together. 

- “Fierce, illuminating, and refreshing." - Federico Furzan, Movie Blogger, 

- "At its core, this is an important call for change and respect." - Sabina Dana Plasse, Film Threat

- "Emotion,.Movment. These are the words that describe this film." - Sonia Cavazos, Sampan

Genre: Drama

Director: Anike Tourse

Writer: Anike Tourse

Cast: Anike Tourse, Jailene Arias, Emmanuel López Alonso, Ricardo Cisneros, Mauricio Mendoza, Angie Kim, Jennie Fahn, Judeline Charles, Kristen Vaganos, Aida Rodriguez, Baltimore Betran, Ulises Chavez. 

Festivals: 2022 Dances with Films Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award, 2022 Roxbury International Film Festival Best Narrative Film, 2022 Maui Film Festival Official Selection

Languages:  In theaters film is in English and Spanish, there are English and Spanish subtitles (we have video and audio description available if requested.)

Q&A With Jewelle Gomez & Director Madeleine Lim in person.

From Black Power in late-60s Boston, to AIDS activism in mid-80s New York, to Marriage Equality in early-10s San Francisco, Jewelle: A Just Vision (64 mins, 2022) from award-winning filmmaker Madeleine Lim, focuses a joyful and hope-filled spotlight on novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and journalist Jewelle Gomez. An Ioway and Wampanoag, African American and Cape Verdean, femme lesbian, Jewelle co-founded decades-old social justice organizations that are more relevant than ever. Expansive in her creative imagination, inclusive in her philanthropic leadership, and passionate in her lesbian of color feminist ethics, she is an unrelenting torchbearer for the transformative power of the artist as activist.

This feature will be preceded by the following short film:

The ABCs of Book Banning (26 min) In recent years, more than 2,500 books have been removed from school districts around the US

Tender caresses and enveloping embraces are portals into the life of Mack, a Black woman in Mississippi. Winding through the anticipation, love, and heartbreak she experiences from childhood to adulthood, the expressionist journey is an ode to connection—with loved ones and with place.

Raven Jackson’s striking debut is an assured vision, unafraid to immerse us in moments of grief and longing, or within the thickness of things left unsaid. Her camera is patient and loving, capturing the beauty of Black bodies and life. Rural quietness is filled with the transportive sounds of crickets, frogs, and water in its many forms. Jackson’s nontraditional narrative borrows from the language of memory. Shifts in time are prompted by movement and emotion—the feeling of mud between fingers or the release felt from being outside during a storm. Dialogue is restrained, and performances are subtle and powerful. Jackson employs the power of touch to communicate what evades spoken language. It’s an embodied experience that honors the sumptuousness of life and leaves you feeling the rain on your skin.

—Stephanie Owens, Sundance Film Festival guide

Co-presented with the Emerson College Office of Sustainability and the Engagement Lab.and the Roxbury International Film Festival.

The world around us is changing, the climate of our planet, our immediate environment, and our future as the inhabitants of Earth. In this curated collection, each film serves as a powerful catalyst for change. From stunning cinematography that captures the wonders of nature to heartfelt narratives that expose environmental injustices, these documentaries invite you to explore the delicate balance between humanity and the planet, examining the varied but urgent environmental challenges we are facing.

Homa Sarabi is a filmmaker, artist, and educator. She works primarily with moving images and examines the potential of documentary in personal storytelling. She is the director of production, safety, and sustainability and an affiliated faculty at Emerson College, where she teaches 16mm experimental filmmaking. Discussion with filmmakers moderated by program curator Homa Sarabi to follow. BIPOC, En, SJ, GD [OC]

Shorts

Our Ark: Directed by Deniz Tortum and Kathryn Hamilton, documentary, English, Netherlands and the United States, 12 minutes, 2021.

Our Ark is an essay film on our efforts to create a virtual replica of the real world. We are backing up the planet, creating 3D models of animals, rainforests, cities and people. We are archiving as if ecological collapse could be staved off through some digital Noah’s Ark of beasts and objects.

Imalirijit: Directed by Vincent L’Hérault and Tim Anaviapik Soucie, documentary, Inuktitut and English, Canada, 27 minutes, 2022.

Tim is a young father living in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. As his grandfather did before, he wants to start his own research to study water quality to benefit its community. Tim embarks on an inspiring journey that will lead to empowerment and cultural revitalization. The experience becomes an awakening for Tim and his team, a wind of change and adaptation for the community challenging the modern reality of the Canadian Arctic.

Trash Day: Directed by Caroline Vokas, documentary, English, United States, 11 minutes, 2022.

A Verité style documentary short in which America’s abundance of discarded goods is examined through New York City dumpster divers.

Part of Cinefest Latino Boston in partnership with the Roxbury International Film Festival. Featuring a Q&A with directors Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster!

Directed by Michèle Stephenson & Joe Brewster

Documentary, 102 mins, USA, 2023

The trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans. Legendary poet Nikki Giovanni's revelation is a launching pad to an inspiring exploration of her life and legacy. Through a collision of memories, moments in American history, live readings of her poetry, and impressions of space, Giovanni urges us to imagine a future where Black women lead, and equity is a reality.

Directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson (American Promise, The Changing Same) craft a vision fit for the radical imagination of Nikki Giovanni. Present-day Giovanni reckons with the inevitable passing of time, while an evocative melding of vérité and archival images act as openings into her mindscape, transcending time and place. Brewster and Stephenson's approach is imaginative and dreamlike, akin to the way Giovanni's words are hair-raising in their power to summon unrealized ways of seeing. The Afro-futuristic lens honors Giovanni's complexity and transports us on a journey through Black liberation from the perspective of one of America's most acclaimed and beloved writers, a profound artist and activist. Next stop, Mars.

Screening is open to the general public

RSVPs are required. You will receive an email confirmation.

Please note this invite is strictly non-transferable. Admission is not guaranteed.  

A Drama Musical Comedy 

Cast: Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt 

Writer/Director: John Carney  

Producers: Anthony Bregman, John Carney, Peter Cron, Rebecca O’Flanagan, Robert Walpole  

Synopsis: Single mom Flora (Eve Hewson) is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max (Orén Kinlan). Encouraged by the police to find Max a hobby, Flora tries to occupy him with a beat-up acoustic guitar. With the help of a washed-up LA musician (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Flora and Max discover the transformative power of music. From the musical mind of John Carney, “Flora and Son” explores the bond between a mother and son on a journey toward a new harmony. 

Press Site:   Apple TV+ Press Site