Event Details
Event Title Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film
Location Hitchcock Multipurpose Room , Stone Center UNC - 150 South Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Sponsor Sonja H Stone Center
Date/Time 10/03/2023 - 11/02/2023
For more information, contact the event administrator: Sheriff Drammeh sheriff7@email.unc.edu
Sorry, This event has expired
Session Status Session Session Date Start Time End Time Cutoff
Expired Screening 1: Religion, Faith, Spirituality and Afro-futurism 10/03/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 2: Exclusion, Marginalization, Historical Injustice 10/05/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 3: Loss, Grief, Trauma, Healing, Inclusion (LGBTQ) 10/10/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 4: Trans-Mediterranean Migration, Cross-cultural Connection, Love 10/17/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 5: Shared Society, Contested Spaces, Opportunity, the Pursuit of Happiness 10/24/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 6: Aging, Caregiving, Roots & Family Connection, Home 10/26/2023 6:00 PM 8:00 PM none
Expired Screening 7: Children and the Next Generation 11/02/2023 12:00 PM 1:15 PM none
 
The Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film, hosted annually at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the works of Black and independent filmmakers.

At its core, the festival serves to illuminate the multifaceted narratives within the Black diaspora. The curated selection of films encompasses a wide range of genres, including documentaries, narrative features, short films, and experimental projects. These cinematic creations delve deep into the realms of African American history, culture, contemporary issues, and the broader global Black experience.

A distinctive feature of the Diaspora Festival is its commitment to fostering meaningful dialogues. In addition to screenings, the Diaspora Festival hosts illuminating discussions, panels, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. This interaction not only enhances the audience's understanding of the creative process but also offers a unique opportunity to delve into the stories portrayed on screen.

Throughout its existence, the Festival has played a pivotal role in spotlighting underrepresented voices in cinema, forging connections within the Black filmmaking community, and facilitating a deeper understanding of Black culture and history through the lens of independent cinema. It continues to stand as a vibrant cultural forum, bridging the worlds of film, art, and education while celebrating the diverse stories and experiences of the Black diaspora. 
 
The 2023 edition of the Diaspora Festival of Black and Independent Film features the following screening lineup and schedule: 

Screening 1: October 3 | 6:00PM
FAITH IN BLACKNESS: AN EXPLORATION OF AFROLATINE SPIRITUALITY (27)
ARE WE THERE YET (36)
ASSAMAN (15)
 
Screening 2: October 5 | 6:00PM
OVERSIGHT (16)
DON'T FORGET THE CHAMPAGNE (15)
HATS (10)
ROADS TO LAVA (27)
GROMOMON (12)
 
Screening 3 (w/ASC): October 10 | 6:00PM
CONFIRMATION (12)
LIJEN (MY CHILD) - (17)
THEM THAT PREY (13)
PEARLS (13) 
GRATITUDE MY FATHER, OBALUAE (5)

Screening 4 (w/ASC): October 17 | 6:00PM
THE PROMISE (72)
DAWN (10)
 
Screening 5 (w/Black Communities Conference): October 24 | 6:00PM 
DIGGIN IN (40)
BIKING WHILE BLACK (29)
THE ORCHESTERA CHUCK BUILT (23)
 
Screening 6: October 26 | 6:00PM 
PILLOW (6)
DAY 6 (36)
BITE OF BENIN (36)
 
Screening 7 (Lunchtime): November 2 | 12:05PM
I.T.I (IGNOARE THE IGNORANCE) - 8
CONQUITO (15)
BEAUTY MARK (5)
MONOCHROMATIC (13)
MUTE (6)
INTERSECTIONALITY (15)
PEDIGREE (8)