THIRD ANNUAL LANGSTON HUGHES AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
SHOWCASES LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS
By Adrienne C. Matthews

SeaSpot.com

Saturday, April 22nd marked the beginning of what promises to be the largest and most successful African American Film Festival in Seattle's recent history.

Presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation's Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC), the Third Annual African American Festival will feature the work of 40 filmmakers from around the world. The week kicked off with a sold-out opening night, a premiere of short films from "3 Films 3 Visions," a collaborative venture by three local filmmakers. Film-lovers across the region have been flocking to

Photo from the opening night panel discussion with the filmmakers of 3 Films 3 Visions. Left to right is Bryan Johnson director of "Swipe"; Winfield Ezell Jr. director of "Mary Jane" and Alen Blake director of "Sometimes and Always in a Dream.."

LHPAC ever since.  

The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center has long been a forum where activists, artists, musicians, speakers and other agents of social change have gathered to let their voices be heard. Eager to heighten the visibility of talented filmmakers, incite discussions, and foster cross-cultural community-building,  the African American Film Festival will run a full six days longer than in previous years: from April 22nd-April 30th. Under the direction of Jacqueline Moscou, Langston Hughes Artistic Director, the Festival is a culmination of a year's work to bring together an array of films that define, inspire, and reveal the black experience in America and throughout the world.

The third annual festival is dedicated to the memory of the late photographer, filmmaker, and revolutionary Gordon Parks, who passed this year at the age of 93.  Documentary filmmaker St. Clair Bourne, who has also profiled the lives of other African American legendaries such as Paul Robeson, will present his film "Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks" on Friday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m.

Other screenings will include poignant films such as "Outside Looking In: Transracial Adoption in America," directed by Phil Bertelsen, which follows three generations of families with transracially adopted children.  Local filmmaker Malik Isasis showcases some of our Seattle flava in the beat-thumping drama "Urbanworld," featuring local hip hop artist Ishmael Butler of the Digable Planets and spoken word performer Laura "Piece" Kelley, and Jamiah Adams's "Mujeres de Hip Hop" chronicles the Cuban music scene.

"The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival is a festival for audiences and artists," said Zola Mumford, festival curator. "This film festival provides an opportunity for cinema fans to engage in dialogue with local filmmakers, and gives filmmakers a chance to network with each other."

No matter what your personal experience, these films will definitely will stir the sprit and get the city of Seattle talking. For a complete schedule of screenings and special events, be sure to check out www.langstonblackfilmfest.org

Third Annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
Saturday April 22 through Sunday April 30, 2006

All screenings will be held at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center:
104 17th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98144
206-684-4710

Opening and closing night: $10
Daily Screenings: $7
Students (w/ID) and Seniors: $5
"Langston Pass" All Festival Pass: $75
Weekender Pass April 29th & 30th: $30

Tickets available for advance purchase at www.brownpaperbagtickets.com
or 1-800-838-3006
Tickets will also be available at the door day of show.
Please note the seating capacity is 281 so advance ticket purchase is advised