** followed by filmmaker Q&A
2025 Film Schedule
Thursday, April 10th
Location: Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
703 N 3rd St, Wilmington, NC 28401
5:30pm doors open, 6:00 pm event starts
CineMixer Reception
Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres, live music, and the chance to mix and mingle with filmmakers. Plus, we’ll be showcasing some incredible short films that explore music and Black culture!
7:15pm
ARP - African Rhythms Power - 30 minutes
Nelson Shongo Leoni
During a trip to East Congo, a young beatmaker and afro-descendant has a striking encounter with Mababu, a guardian of the oral traditions of the Congo. Mababu's words still echo in his mind: "Music heals! It is Rhythm that gives Power...". This moment awakened in him a quest for his origins and a profound exploration of African rhythms. Through fascinating encounters and musical experiments, this documentary explores the potent power of African music all the way back to the origins of Afro-American music and Hip Hop.
7:45pm
THE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHER - 9 mins
Cedric D Ingram
“The Jazz Photographer” is a mini-documentary that delves into the world of Bobby Roebuck, exploring how he captures the essence of jazz through his lens. Through his photography, Roebuck tells a compelling story of the genre's evolution and the artists who bring it to life.
Friday, April 11th
Location: Boseman's Shoes
4127 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403
Film Block: Feature Film - 6:30pm - 7:45
Life in My Eyes - 70 minutes**
Marshall Gibson
Life in My Eyes' is a poignant documentary exploring the resilience and day-to-day challenges of individuals living with visual impairments. Through intimate storytelling, the film captures their experiences, hopes, and unique ways of perceiving the world, shedding light on accessibility, inclusion, and the beauty of life beyond sight.
Friday, April 11th
Location: Jengo's Playhouse
815 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Film Block: Health is Wealth - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Even Me 2.0 - 39 minutes**
Megan T. Ebor
Even Me 2.0 is a compelling sequel to the award-winning, 2012 documentary, "Even Me," highlighting the lives of older African American women living with HIV. This follow-up takes viewers on a suspenseful, emotional journey as the filmmaker searches for the original cast members a decade later. With unexpected twists and heart-wrenching revelations, the film reconnects with some of the extraordinary women from the first film while uncovering unexpected news about others. Even Me 2.0 exemplifies a powerful exploration of resilience and hope, amidst the ongoing battle to end the HIV epidemic, focusing on a group too often overlooked in the HIV discourse.
Trail Therapy - 12 mins
Angela Hollowell
When Sharon Mosley received a wake-up call from her doctor in her mid-30s - a high blood pressure diagnosis - she made the audacious decision to train for a sprint triathlon. She's now training for her next race, the Tar Heel 10-miler, 11 years after her first appearance. Will she beat her earlier pace? In this documentary short film, we invite audiences on an intimate journey of transformation, exploring the life of Sharon Mosley, a black woman therapist and runner, who has redefined her relationship with health.
Film Block: Black Experiences - 6:00pm - 7:05pm
I Am Not Your Black Girl - 5 mins
Ricki Nelson
"I Am Not Your Black Girl" is a poignant visual embodiment of a poem by the same name, reclaiming the identity of one Black woman against societal impositions.
Foot the Bill - 10 mins**
Lloyd J Tunstill
Oh no! A historically black restaurant has been seized by white ownership! Meanwhile, two financially struggling friends argue over who should pay the bill.
Love Hurts - 13 mins
Al Lamont Currie Jr
After stumbling on an old picture of one another, an ex couple takes us down memory lane of the course of their relationship and why it didn't work out.
My Rock - 14 mins
Dom Lonzo
My Rock delves into the life of what seems to be your average day to day guy, “Zakia”, who goes through a series of missed opportunities and half-hearted attempts to meet expectations, in a world that seems to be against him. Though what lies beneath the surface is a deteriorating relationship, unpaid bills, and professional stagnation. Zakia journeys through his day, consumed by self doubt and avoidance, unable to confront the consequences of his shortcomings. Through every interaction and decision, his bad luck never seems to run out, yet the current state of his life is determined by no one else, but himself. Ultimately, Zakia is forced to face the consequences of his inaction, questioning whether it's too late to take control and find redemption amidst the pressures he faces.
Film Block: School Daze - 7:05pm - 8:40pm
Welcome to School - A Documentary Celebrating 25 Years of Maya Angelou Schools - 26 mins
Kristin Adair
Welcome to School is a documentary produced in 2023 by the Maya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation in conjunction with Unchained Stories, a social impact production company. The film traces the 25-year legacy of the Washington, DC based Maya Angelou Schools’ storied history of grassroots organizing, resource activism, and creating a specialized safe space for carceral and alternative education students. Welcome to School is told through first-person narratives from current students, alumni, staff, faculty, and the organization’s founders. The intersection between poverty, public education, and the juvenile justice system from the 1990s to present day are examined alongside the retelling of the Maya Angelou Schools’ origins.
Behind His Eyes - 17 mins
Jadyn Wilson
A young man struggles to acknowledge his vulnerability after receiving a challenging school assignment.
Adult Children of The American Revolution - 14 mins**
Juliette Fairley
As DNA technology progresses, the ancestry of most Americans is no longer shrouded in mystery or story. Although such knowledge of the past is empowering, the truth can be, in some families, difficult to confront. Based on a true story. Feature length screenplay won the Grand Jury prize at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival.
SATURDAY - 15 mins
Razzaaq Boykin
An introverted teenager, navigating his repressed anger about his parent’s divorce, spends the day with his father until an impromptu visit to his estranged grandfather gives him life-changing insight.
Film Block: Feature w/ a Side Dish - 9:00pm - 11:15pm
Do Cherries Grow in Space? - 5 mins
Marquise Williams
Do Cherries Grow in Space? is an animated short film that follows a depressed young man named Hudson who has nothing to his name as he explores why no one lets him have anything nice.
Ghetto Children - 105 mins**
Zac Manuel
In the shadows of their famous fathers, three New Orleans rappers navigate the pressures of comparison, friendship, family, and the realities of street culture as they strive for success.
Saturday, April 12th
Location: Vue21North
1002B Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
11:00am - 12:00pm
Cinematography 101 Workshop with Isiah Donte Lee
Join acclaimed cinematographer Isiah Donte Lee for an insightful workshop where he will discuss his dynamic journey as a professional cinematographer. Isiah will dive deep into the creative process behind his work, revealing how he approaches the discovery and development of the visual aesthetic for a wide range of projects, including films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos. With a focus on both the technical and artistic aspects of cinematography, he will share the strategies and techniques that have shaped his distinctive style, offering valuable insights for aspiring filmmakers and professionals alike.
Saturday, April 12th
Location: Jengo's Playhouse
815 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Film Block: Black Girls Film Camp - 10:00am - 11:20am
As You Are - 7 minutes
Daria Strachan
A young girl struggles to be true to both her sexuality and her religion, searching for a place where she can truly belong.
Sole Sista - 7 minutes
Emerie Boone
As the sole Black girl in her high school, Chelsea struggles with feeling embraced by her friend circle and loses control in her search to find acceptance.
The Gift And The Curse - 7 minutes
Alexandra Bonner
A teen Black girls confront isolation and discrimination when she suddenly receives the ability to hear the thoughts of her white peers.
Tinted - 7 minutes
Milan Armorer
Born into the poverty of a divided city in a dystopian world, a teenage girl vows to defy her fate when taking a test that dictates her future.
The Pad Hustle - 7 minutes
Kyla Holmes
After unexpectedly getting her period during class, a headstrong high-schooler embarks on a secret side hustle to help her classmates get the menstrual products they desperately need.
Game Changers - 7 minutes
Caris Pryor
A high school basketball player risks losing her confidence and a shot to play at her dream college during the State Championship Game after being called aggressive from a teammate.
Self-Belief Symphony - 7 minutes
Azuri Vallatine
Stuck between two worlds, a teen girl struggles with the choice of pleasing her mother or following her own passions.
Stank Face - 7 minutes
Marley Jones
Rejected and pressured to conform, a teenage black girl, tired of being told to 'fix her face,' opts for a drastic solution: a permanent smile.
Save our Block - 9 minutes
Film Block: Black But Brief - 11:25am - 11:55am
The Cool and the Strong 2 - THINK BIG - 27 mins**
Sheldyn SAM Moore
Magic, Rex, and Reva learn that thinking big is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities. Join the trio and their teacher, as they go on an extraordinary journey to Jim Hamilton - L.B. Owens Airport, where fun and learning take flight! Witness their confidence reach new heights as they learn the power of thinking big and embracing the champion within.
Film Block: Black Experiences II - 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Crossfire Love - 22 mins
Patrick Phillips
Exploring history and personal narratives, 'Crossfire Love' delves into the multifaceted world of black gun ownership, revealing its roots, cultural significance, and evolving role in modern society.
CapNext: The Journey to Unlock CapEX in America - 24 mins
Rob Lee
"CapNext: The Journey to Unlock CapEX in America" is a compelling short documentary exploring the “why” behind the transformative efforts of impact investors and ecosystem leaders dedicated to fostering wealth creation, social mobility, and improved health outcomes in Black communities across the U.S. Through intimate interviews, data and insightful narratives, "CapNext" highlights the people on the ground using strategic investments to drive meaningful change and unlock capital for communities that thrive against all odds.
Love is Like - 12 mins**
Wariboko Semenitari
Love is like is an experimental silent French noire film that focuses on lover, a black trans person who dreams of love.
Film Block: Family Cinema - 1:20pm - 3:05pm
BELIEF - 14 mins
Christian Loubek
Alongside his wife and daughter, Lennox joyously unpacks their new home but is left speechless when he finds a letter in a moving box labelled 'mom' that predestines a different life for him – it’s not as he remembers.
Forbidden Fruit - 12 mins
Isaiah Alexander Forte-Rose
A black eleven-year-old navigates a day in his life of rural poverty while his mother is stuck at work.
Tango - 12 mins
Amadou Diallo
A son's visit to his mother turns when a childhood memory forces him to address their emotional distance and what it means for his relationship with his own child.
The Ohio, Texas Remix - 15 mins
Ya'Ke Smith
A woman is determined to get her son back by any means necessary. Based on a true story.
BITTERSWEET - 6 mins
Myrakel N Baker
BITTERSWEET is an immersive, non-linear look at a timeless love that is cut short by maternal mortality.
FORever feroshUS - 13 mins**
Naya Ryan Rashad
Shae, a man murdered in a homophobic attack, awakens in a mysterious room where the entirety of his life is projected across a series of screens. As he journeys through these memories, he must reach the final screen to uncover the truth about his death. But to get there, he must make peace with the life he’s lived. This film is an homage to O’Shae Sibley.
Film Block: Feature Film - 3:10pm - 4:45pm
Our Movement Starts Here - 82 minutes**
John Rash, Melanie Dang Ho
A rural community in the American South raised awareness of deadly environmentally racist practices and inspired the environmental justice movement by fighting the state of North Carolina's toxic landfill in 1982.
Saturday, April 12th
Location: Vue21North
1002B Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Film Block: Feature Film - 4:15pm - 6:00pm
Birthright Afrika - 48 minutes
Michael Rayshard Bennett
Inspired by his grandfather’s wisdom and the call of his Kenyan heritage, Joseph transforms lives by guiding inner-city Black and Brown youth from Jersey City on a journey of self-discovery—bridging continents, building legacies, and creating a ripple of generational wealth and empowerment.
Saturday, April 12th
Location: Jengo's Playhouse
815 Princess St, Wilmington, NC 28401
Film Block: Another Reality - 4:50pm - 6:25pm
The Opaque - 30 minutes
Broderick Russell Jr.
After the nation's power grid shut down, society collapsed; all government, rule of law, and abundant resources became obsolete. Survival or death were the remaining options. But for one man, there has to be more.
if(fy) - 16 minutes
Lesego Vorster, Ross Lelliott, Osiokeh Ikharo
Ifeanyi has been planning his first move; he just needs an in. Or maybe an unobstructed view. His intentions are dubious but pure. He swears! After getting a pity-invite, he finally gets the chance he’s been waiting for. But will it be too late? if(fy) explores the idea that the rules dictating our morality are re-written in the presence of things we want more; and how our outer face often masks an inner struggle to navigate our fears.
Architects of Change - 37 minutes**
Keith Young
Architects of Change follows politician Keith Young and activist Robert Thomas as they unite for reparative justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The documentary explores their journey from grassroots activism to the passage of Asheville’s historic reparations resolution—the first of its kind in the South—and their subsequent efforts in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to secure an official apology for the 1921 Greenwood Massacre. Through personal struggles, political battles, and community mobilization, the film captures the challenges and triumphs of their fight for restitution, igniting a national conversation on reparative justice.
Film Block: Bruce W. Smith - 6:30pm - 7:30pm**
Join us for an evening with legendary animator Bruce W. Smith, creator of The Proud Family and contributor to many iconic Disney films and shows. In this exclusive film block, Bruce will showcase a selection of his short films, including the Academy Award-winning Hair Love. Following the screening, Bruce will participate in a 30-minute Q&A, sharing insights into his creative process and career. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of animation’s most influential voices!
Film Block: Feature Film - 7:40pm - 9:15pm
Cotton Candy Bubble Gum** - 82 minutes
J Pinder
After his mom gets engaged to a vindictive cop, Carter, a 21-year-old mama’s boy still living at home, must secure a paid promotion at his internship by the end of the day or find a new place to live. To land the job, his boss gives him a seemingly impossible list of tasks to complete. If Carter can conquer this wildly chaotic day, he might be ready for the real world after all.
Sunday, April 13th
Location: Cameron Art Museum
3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28412
2:00 pm
Awards Ceremony
Film Block: Closing Film - 2:30pm
Draw or Die - 60 minutes
The one-hour documentary film Minnie Evans: Draw or Die explores the inspirational life and artistic mastery of one of the most important African-American artists of the 20th century. Minnie Evans was born in 1892 and raised by her grandmother in Wilmington, NC, during a time of racial turmoil in the city. In the early 1940s, Minnie began her art in earnest, propelled by her faith and dreams.
