The Book of Negroes directed by Clement Virgo

Clement Virgo’s most ambitious project to date The Book of Negroes a six-part TV miniseries adaptation of Lawrence Hill’s award winning book will premiere at Cannes on October 13th.  It is slated to air in Canada on the CBC as a six-hour miniseries and BET has acquired the American rights for the film. The miniseries stars Aunjanue Ellis, Louis Gossett Jr., Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lyriq Bent.  The internationally co-produced, miniseries is focused on the story of an African woman named Aminata Diallo who is abducted from Africa and sold into slavery in South Carolina, she later makes her way to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then back to Sierra Leone and finally, to England at the turn of the 19th century.

Learn more about The Book of Negroes @ Conquering Lion Pictures

Mighty Jerome written and directed by Charles Officer

Mighty Jerome the feature documentary debut by Charles Officer offers a stunning portrait of the late Harry Jerome a native of Saskatchewan my home province.  Along with providing a tribute the film also addresses issues of race, nationalism and perseverance through the historical accomplishments of one of Canada’s finest athletes. Mighty Jerome was awarded a Northwest Regional Emmy in 2012.

Learn more about Mighty Jerome and watch the trailer @ NFB.ca

A Linc in Time directed by Nicole Brooks

A Linc in Time profiles the late Lincoln Alexander a trailblazer of so many African Canadian firsts: Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, Lt. Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the University of Guelph. The film has been featured at several festivals and also received a private screening at the Ontario Lt. Governor’s residence in 2009.

Watch the trailer for A Linc in Time

Invisible City directed by Hubert Davis

Academy Award nominee Hubert Davis’ latest film Invisible City debuted at the 2009 Hot Docs Film Festival in Toronto. Invisible City follows the story of two boys from the Regent Park neighborhood in Toronto chronicling their triumphs and struggles crossing into adulthood. Produced over the period of three years, Invisible City is a critical addition to the discourse surrounding issues of race and urban poverty within Canada.

Learn more about Invisible City and watch the trailer @ nfb.ca

Learn more about Hubert Davis’ cinematic work @ blogTO

Sylvia Hamilton – In Person Postscript

View additional videos @ the SFU Communication Visual Studies Lab

In celebration of the 2009 Black History Month, Sylvia Hamilton the acclaimed Nova Scotian documentary filmmaker, writer and educator appeared for a series of lectures and film screenings. Dr. Hamilton’s pioneering films have chronicled the rich history and experience of African Canadians in their struggles to achieve dignity and equality.

Sylvia Hamilton’s visit was made possible through support from Simon Fraser University’s Human Rights Office, Dean of Applied Science and School of Communication.

Sylvia Hamilton – In Person

Sylvia Hamilton Black History Month 2009 Event Poster

In celebration of Black History Month, Sylvia Hamilton the acclaimed Nova Scotian documentary filmmaker, writer and educator will be appearing for a series of lectures and film screenings. Dr. Hamilton’s pioneering films have chronicled the rich history and experience of African Canadians in their struggles to achieve dignity and equality. She has been the recipient of major awards, including a Gemini, Nova Scotia’s Portia White Prize for Excellence in the Arts, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation’s Maeda Prize, the Progress Women of Excellence Award for Arts and Culture and the CBC Television Pioneer Award. She is also a Mentor with The Trudeau Foundation.

The scheduled events will feature screenings of The Little Black School House, her most recent documentary, a chronicle of Canada’s racially segregated schools (Simon Fraser University and Pacific Cinémathèque events), as well as the Gemini-winning Speak It! From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia, an earlier work on a related theme (Pacific Cinémathèque event only).

Sylvia Hamilton’s visit was made possible through support from Simon Fraser University’s Human Rights Office, Dean of Applied Science and School of Communication.

Locations:

Pacific Cinémathèque Feb 11th 7:30 pm, 200–1131 Howe Street

For admission information, call 604.688.8202 or Click here for more information on the film screenings @ Pacific Cinémathèque

SFU Harbour Centre Feb 12th 12:00 noon, HC 1415–515 West Hastings Street

SFU Burnaby Feb 13th 12:00 noon, Irmacs Theatre, ASB10900

Simon Fraser University events are open to the public and free but seating is limited. For reservations, call 778.782.7685 or email blachist@sfu.ca For further information contact Jan Marontate (778.782.5449) or Greg Tourino (778.782.3510)

Nurse.Fighter.Boy directed by Charles Officer

Nurse.Fighter.Boy is the first dramatic feature film directed by Charles Officer. Produced in collaboration with the Canadian Film Centre, Nurse.Fighter.Boy features a screenplay that is centered around the lives of the three characters described in the title – a cancer-stricken mother, an over-the-hill boxer and a troubled child with a fanciful imagination. Nurse.Fighter.Boy received positive reviews at its 2008 Toronto Film Festival debut and is currently being screened across Canada and Internationally.

Learn more about upcoming screenings

Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival

The emergence of Vancouver’s Pan-African Film and Arts Festival has provided a valuable new platform for dialogue and collaboration. Founded by Ebony Johnson in 2007 the Vancouver Pan-African Film and Arts Festival held its second annual event in October 2008. Film screenings included Clement Virgo’s Poor Boys Game and Jason E. Sims The Obama Experience, in addition to film screenings the festival featured exhibitions of African music, an art exhibit, panel discussions, workshops and dance performances.

Revolution Underground produced by Shani Carter

Revolution Underground features a series of stories from the perspective of young social activists, artists and organizers throughout the African Canadian and African diasporas who contrary to mainstream media discourse are attempting to strengthen their communities through social action and grass-roots initiatives, this exploratory documentary project produced by Shani Carter is an effort to share these initiatives with the community at large.

Nappy Heads directed by Sabrina Moella

Nappy Heads is a celebration of the glorious Afro. This upbeat short experimental documentary is about Afro hair in its natural state. Shot on Super 8, in the streets of Toronto, it draws a dozen of joyful portraits of women, men, children who accepted to show the beauty of their hair in front of the camera. Just try not to smile when you watch it. (Reel World Film Festival)

Watch Nappy Heads – A film by Sabrina Moella (2:56)