The Newark Black Film Festival, the longest-running Black film festival in the United States, has been a pivotal platform for Black filmmakers, actors, and storytellers since 1974. It showcases films that explore the intricacies of the Black experience, reflecting diverse narratives and fostering cultural enrichment.
The longest-running Black film festival in the US returns
Schedule of Events:
12 - 1:30pm - Beyond The Belt- The Legend of Karriem AbdAllah
Beyond The Belt - The Legend of Karriem AbdAllah (1h 13 min) Not rated
Directed by Troy Thomas
A powerful documentary that delves into the life and groundbreaking contributions of Al-Mu’assis Karriem AbdAllah, a martial arts pioneer from Newark, New Jersey. As the first American to create his own martial arts system, Karriem’s influence stretches far beyond the mat, deeply impacting both the martial arts community and the Black community at large.
This screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Troy Thomas.
2 - 3:30pm - Identity & Resilience: Shorts Showcase
Identity & Resilience: Shorts Showcase
Healing From Home (4 min) Not rated
Directed by Alysha Pamphile and Tommy Cadet
This film explores the raw, unfiltered reality of transformation, where healing is not just about the joy of finding oneself but also about mourning what is left behind.
Ausgang, Sofie (8 min) Not rated
Directed by Zoé Munlyn
1936 Germany. After being rejected from the Hitler Youth, 14-year-old mixed-race Sofie takes her quest for identity and escapism to the Nazi film industry.
BELIEF (14 min) Not rated
Directed by 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.
Newbies (17 min) Not rated
Directed by Kimiko Matsuda-Lawrence and Megan Trufant Tillman
Two broken strangers wrestling with their queer identities meet on the subway just after midnight. A poignant, poetic journey through the past few hours of their night reveals how they got here, and what broke them.
Boy No Fear (18 min) Not rated
Directed by Jonathan Curtiss
When a village-boy cursed with fearlessness learns that his condition is causing his father's impending death, he sets on a journey to a haunted land to denounce the ritual and reverse the curse.
EXODUS (35 min) Not rated
Directed by Nimco Sheikhaden
An intimate portrait of two women who face unique challenges following decades of incarceration. The film bears witness to their impassioned attempts to rebuild their lives and ultimately restore their humanity.
The shorts screenings will be followed by a Q&A.
