BDC Filmmakers Make 3 of Indiewire's Top 5 Films of the AFI DOCS Film Festival!

 

5 New Films To Watch Out For From AFI DOCS 

includes BDC Member Films "Documented" and "The New Black"

DOCUMENTED

Directed by Jose Antonio Vargas, Edited by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon

(CENTERPIECE GALA Special Screening)

In 2011, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in the New York Times Magazine.  DOCUMENTED chronicles his journey to America from the Philippines as a child; his journey through America as an immigration reform activist/provocateur; and his journey inward as he re-connects with his mother, whom he hasn't seen in 20 years.

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The New Black   

Directed by Yoruba Richen, Produced by Angela Tucker, Yvonne Welbon

(In Competition, Audience Award Winner)

The New Black explores how African-American voters have become bitterly divided on the issue of gay marriage because of homphobia rampant in one of the pillars of the African-American community-- the black church.  In the process, the film uncovers the complicated and often combative histories of the African-American and LGBT civil rights movements.

Click here to watch Yoruba Richen and activist Karess Taylor-Hughes  

on MSNBC/s The Cycle

Click here to read Yoruba Richen's CNN Op-Ed  

on the historic Supreme Court ruling on DOMA

If you missed AFI, check out The New Black at 
Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco 

Saturday, June 29th 1:15pm

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BDC Support DIFRET  by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari (a feature film based on a true story) Fundraising Campaign Ends Tuesday Jul 23, 3:27pm EDT  1996. Ethiopia. 14-year-old Hirut Assefa is abducted while walking home from school by a 29-year-old farmer who intends to marry her. Hirut shoots and kills her abductor with his own rifle, in an attempt to get back to her parents. Hirut is charged with murder and is facing the death penalty.  Inspired by this young girl's courage, Meaza, a young lawyer, embarks on a long tenacious battle to save Hirut's life. Based on a true story, DIFRET is a testament to women's courage in the face of staggering injustice.  Funds raised during this campaign will be used for post-production costs and submission to the Toronto Film Festival.  Please help this gripping film get to Toronto! **DONATE TODAY**

BDC at LA Film Fest, AFI Docs and More!

BDC Festivals The New Black  by Yoruba Richen    Co-Prod by Angela Tucker and Yvonne Welbon World Premiere at LA Film Festival  **TONIGHT**  June 14th 7:30 pm  & June 16th 6:50 pm Also screening at AFI Docs in D. C. and the   Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York  An explosive new documentary which explores how African-American voters have become bitterly divided on the issue of gay marriage because of homophobia rampant in one of the pillars of the African-American community-- the church. In the process, the film uncovers the complicated and often combative histories of the African-American and LGBT civil rights movements. *  *  *   by Jose Antonio Vargas Edited by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon     CENTERPIECE GALA Screening Friday, June 21, 8pm  Smithsonian Institution - National Portrait Gallery  In 2011, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas outed himself as an undocumented immigrant in the New York Times Magazine.  DOCUMENTED chronicles his journey to America from the Philippines as a child; his journey through America as an immigration reform activist/provocateur; and his journey inward as he re-connects with his mother, whom he hasn't seen in 20 years. * * *

BDC Screenings Soul Food Junkies  by Byron Hurt  Special Performance by Dead Prez Imagenation @Von King Park, Brooklyn  Sunday, June 16th, 7pm Baffled by his dad's unwillingness to change his traditional soul food diet in the face of a health crisis, Hurt sets out to learn more about this rich culinary tradition and its relevance to black cultural identity. He discovers that the love affair that his dad and his community have with soul food is deep-rooted, complex, and in some tragic cases, deadly. * * * Homegoings by Christine Turner  @The Apollo Theatre, NYC Friday, June 21, 7:30p Special Performance by violinist Daniel Roumain (click below for details)  Homegoings is about renowned Harlem funeral director Isaiah Owens and African-American funeral traditions.  The event will feature a performance by film composer and violinist Daniel Roumain with members of the Harlem Chamber Players, and a discussion with director Christine Turner and Isaiah Owens. * * *