When I have attended film festivals in the past, I readily admit that the films themselves were more like icing than cake. Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of the experience is the creative gravity that pulls together so many artists and executives, so many realms of expertise and passion, into a single event celebrating well earned achievements as well as cultivating wellsprings of support for the aspirational. In the midst of a pandemic, it is easy to see how when making decisions of what you can and cannot execute, these vibrant collisions of excellence could easily be among the casualties of the moment.
The Social Justice Now Film Festival, in a remarkably short period of time, was able to provide all of that collaborative magic for a collection of timely conversations led by renowned thought leaders.
ON-DEMAND CONVERSATIONS
These two dialogues are available to stream the entire duration of the festival. Centered on wealth building and an honest appraisal of the race based systems that dominate human life, they are tools of deeper understanding and concrete applications of financial discipline.
I WANT MY WHOLE DOLLAR
Speakers: Soledad O’Brien (CEO, Soledad O’Brien Productions), Devin Johnson (COO, The SpringHill Company), Sekou Kaalund (Head of Chase Consumer Banking, Northeast Division).
Frank discussion highlighting capital as a means of advancing equality highlighting entrepreneurship and delving into their own personal experiences.
THE ORIGINS OF OUR DISCONTENTS
Speakers: Isabel Wilkerson (Author: Caste), Nnamdi Asomugha (Actor/Producer), Kerry Washington (Actor/Producer)
“An instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far.”—Dwight Garner, The New York Times. A revelatory interview with a Pulitzer prize winning author who has reframed our perception of American racial hierarchy.
LIVE PANELS
These forums will only be available live per the schedule below.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
3 PM EST
ON THE FRONT LINE OF JUSTICE
Speakers: Ben Crump (Attorney) and Laura Coates (CNN Legal Analyst, SiriusXM Radio Host, Bestselling Author)
Laura Coates converses with civil rights attorney Ben Crump about the American legal system and the arc of justice.
7 PM EST
FROM SHIRLEY TO KAMALA: The Rise of Black Women’s Political Power
Impact Partner: Higher Heights
Speakers: Glynda Carr (Co-Founder and President, Higher Heights for America), A’Shanti Gholar (President, Emerge), Tishaura Jones (Treasurer, City of St. Louis), Alencia Johnson (Founder, 1063 Broad Street)
Moderator: Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA 2019, Attorney)
Black women have been the tip of the spear for distilling rage and pain into political influence for more than fifty years. This panel describes that journey and provides context for the historic amount of Black women who are running for, and winning, political office at every level of government.
FILMMAKER TALK BACK
9 PM EST
40 Years a Prisoner, with director Tommy Oliver
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
3 PM EST
DO OUR LIVES MATTER? LGBTQ
Speakers: David Johns (Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition), Raquel Willis (Award-winning Writer/Trans Activist), Twaun Samuel (Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Maxine Waters)
Moderator: Aisha Milles (Political Strategist)
The Black LGBTQ community are confronted with obstacles to their full participation in the American experiment ranging from societal invisibility to legal erasure in the courts. This panel discusses the policy shaping power of the upcoming election and the inherent stakes involved when your identity supersedes your humanity.
7 PM EST
A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE: Criminal Justice Reform
Speakers: Topeka K. Sam, (Founder and Executive Director, The Ladies of Hope Ministries), Shaka Senghor (President of Shaka Senghor, Inc. and Founder of Redeemed Sole), Isaac Wright, Jr. (Attorney-Subject of “For Life”)
Moderator: Jeff Johnson (Journalist, Producer and TV Host)
The 1994 Crime Bill, and legislation like it, have left decimation and apathy in their wake. This panel outlines the road to recovery through reforms to the incarceration pipeline and the commitment to societal reintegration.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
3 PM EST
WAR ON VOTING: Voter Suppression Past and Present: Rights Restoration and How We Fight Back
Impact Partner: Advancement Project
Speakers: Judith Browne Dianis (Executive Director, Advancement Project National Office), Desmond Mead (Executive Director, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition), Moné Holder (Senior Program Director – Policy, Advocacy & Research, New Florida Majority), Nse Ufot (Executive Director, New Georgia Project)
Moderator: Kendis Gibson (MSNBC, Weekend Anchor)
When the Roberts court gutted the Voting Rights Act in the summer of 2013 the Chief Justice said “Our country has changed,” on behalf of the conservative majority. “While any racial discrimination in voting is too much, Congress must ensure that the legislation it passes to remedy that problem speaks to current conditions.” Since then, the nine southern states prescribed in the law, and other counties throughout the country, have all engaged in sophisticated and sometimes blatant voter suppression techniques. Coalitions at the forefront of this fight, the Advancement Project National Office, New Georgia Project, New Florida Majority, and Florida Rights Restoration Coalition will discuss the past and present forms of voter suppression, and what we can do to eliminate these wrongs once and for all.
FILMMAKER TALK BACK
9 PM EST
Reefa, with director Jessica Kavana Dornbusch and cast: Clara McGregor, Cinthya Caromona, Tyler Dean Flores
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
6 PM EST
SOCIAL JUSTICE & CINEMA
Presented by ShivHans Pictures
Speakers: Justin Brooks (Director and Co-Founder of the California Innocence Project and criminal defense attorney for Brian Banks), Nadia Hallgren (College Behind Bars), Muta’Ali (Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn), Shola Lynch (Free Angela) and TJ Martin (LA 92).
Moderator: Opal Tometi (Co-Founder Black Lives Matter, Co-Ambassador 2020 SJNFF)
This discussion will highlight the unique ability of storytelling to inform and inspire and how to construct content wed to the mission of social justice and engagement.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
6 PM EST
RISING TIDE: The New Wave of Allyship
Presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Impact Partners: LA Collab, IlumiNative, Gold House
Speakers: Ivette Rodriguez (Co-Founder, LA Collab), Crystal Echo Hawk (Founder & CEO, IllumiNative), Bing Chen (Chairman & Co-Founder, Gold House), Matt McGorry (Actor & Activist)
Moderator: Ellene V. Miles, SVP, Intersectional Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Fostering inclusive cooperation between demographic groups has always been a key component in the struggle for civil rights in America. Intersectional coalitions are not only necessary agents for change but are also representative of our country’s loftiest unrealized ideals and the reality of its evolving cultural paradigm. This panel will discuss the progression of Ally to Accomplice in accomplishing the true promise of America.
FILMMAKER TALK BACK
9 PM EST
Us Kids, with director Kim A. Snyder
The SJNFF website is adding new information daily and you can follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The festival runs from today, October 2st through Sunday October 25th. Watch. Reflect. And take action.
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