CCBC to Present Africana Studies Independent Film Festival, 4/16-18

The 2015 CCBC Africana Studies Independent Film Festival will roll out the red carpet Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, 2015, for independent films focused on the Black experience. This two-day screening will be held in the Administration Building Lecture Hall (ADMN 120) at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex (CCBC Essex), 7201 Rossville Boulevard. Ticket prices are tiered for one-show; one day or the entire festival (see specifics below.)

Prior to the Festival, on Thursday, April 16, there will be free filmmaking workshops held at CCBC Essex. For information on these workshops, contact Michelle Wright at Mwright3@ccbcmd.edu.

The CCBC Africana Studies Independent Film Festival opens Friday, April 17, with the feature film "12 O'Clock Boys," about an urban dirt bike pack in Baltimore - popping wheelies and weaving at excessive speeds through traffic. The group impressively evades the police. a tribute to American author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films Oscar Micheaux, with the screening of "Body and Soul" at 10 a.m.

The keynote speaker for the Africana Studies Independent Film Festival will be world-renowned filmmaker. Haile Gerima is a leading member of the L.A. Rebellion film movement, also known as the Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers. His films, including "Bush Mama" and "Teza" have received wide international acclaim. Since 1975, Gerima has also been an influential film professor at Howard University in Washington, DC. He is best known for "Sankofa" which is the final film to be screened at the festival.

The screening schedule for the CCBC Africana Studies Independent Film Festival:

Thursday, April 16

• • 11:00 a.m. Free filmmaking workshops

Friday, April 17

• • 9:00 a.m. "12 O'Clock Boys" followed immediately by a panel discussion
  • 11:45 a.m. "An Oversimplification of Her Beauty"
  • 1:30 p.m. Film Shorts - "778 Bullets" and "Across the Atlantic"
  • 3:00 p.m. "Moolaadé"

Saturday, April 18

- 10:00 a.m. Tribute to Oscar Micheaux, legendary filmmaker, screening "Body and Soul"

- 12:30 p.m. "Mother of George"

- 2:45 p.m. "The Forgotten Kingdom"

- 4:30 p.m. "Sankofa" followed immediately by Keynote Speaker Haile Gerima

The event will include speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities to network with individuals in the film industry. "Our goal is to create an atmosphere where people can screen great works of art as well as learn more about the independent film industry that focus upon the Black experience," said Michelle Diane Wright, film festival director.

Tickets are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-ARTS (2787) or at the door.

Prices:

· Free for all CCBC Students, Faculty and Staff (with valid ID)

· Non-CCBC Students and Senior Citizens (with valid ID)

- $3.00 for each individual film

- $10.00 for all four films on one day

- $20.00 for entire festival on both days

· General Admission

- $5.00 for each individual film

- $16.00 for all four films on one day

- $30.00 for entire festival on both days

There are no children's tickets as the films being screened during this festival are not recommended for children under the age of 14.

The 2015 CCBC Africana Studies Independent Film Festival is made possible by the CCBC President's Innovation Grant. Other sponsors include the CCBC Student Life Co-Curricular Grant, the CCBC Black Student Union and the CCBC Anthropology Club; support is also provided by the Creative Alliance, Everyone's Place Afrikan Cultural Center and MICA.

The CCBC Africana Studies Independent Film Festival was created to expose, educate and entertain the diverse audiences of the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan region through innovative and groundbreaking independent films that depict the experiences of the African Diaspora. The festival highlights cinema art that has been inspired, created and cultivated by independent content makers throughout the African Diaspora. For more information, visit www.africanastudiesfilmfestival.org.

About the Community College of Baltimore County (www.ccbcmd.edu) - CCBC offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses helping people of all ages, backgrounds and interests earn degrees, transfer, launch or advance careers, and prepare for in-demand jobs.

Providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education since 1957, CCBC educates more than 70,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Committed to student success and the development of lifelong learners who strengthen our regional workforce and enrich our community, CCBC has also been selected to participate in Achieving the Dream, a national student success initiative. In 2011, the Chronicle of Education honored CCBC as one of only 26 community colleges across the nation named "Great Colleges to Work For."