The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will present the first annual Black Bottom Film Festival (BBFF) on February 24 through 26, 2017. The BBFF will feature classic favorites to contemporary independent Black Cinema. The showcased films in the festival will parallel the reoccurring themes of spirituality, family conflict, race and working class struggle that serve as the foundation of August Wilson’s award winning and internationally renowned “Pittsburgh Cycle” plays. The festival will also examine and discuss how filmmakers try to use art to uplift and confront, and have impact on American culture. This year’s festival will feature local and nationally renowned filmmakers and celebrate the creative contributions of Michael Schultz.

Schultz is the Director of classics that include “Cooley High,” “Car Wash,” “Greased Lightning,” “Which Way is Up,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Carbon Copy,” “Last Dragon,” “Krush Groove,” and most recently, television episodes that include “Arrow,” and “Black – ish.” In the history of African- American cinema the list of pioneering trailblazers is Oscar Micheaux, Gordon Parks, and before Spike Lee – there was Michael Schultz! The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will present Mr. Schultz with the Black Bottom Film Festival Award for Creative Excellence on Saturday February 25, 2017 at 7:30 PM. After the award ceremony there will be a double-feature of “Cooley High” and “Which Way is Up” featuring Richard Pryor.

Curated by Michael Dennis, founder of Reelblack.com, and coordinated by writer and filmmaker, Joseph L.Lewis III

Independent films featured this year are:

Chapter & Verse, Directed by Jamal Joseph
Like Cotton Twines, Directed by Leila Djansi
Destination Planet Negro, Directed by Kevin Willmott
Dream, Directed by Nijila Mumin
Spirits of Rebellion: Black Cinema from U.C.L.A, Directed by Zeinabu Irene Davis
Two Trains Runnin’, Directed by Sam Pollard
Agents of Change Directed by Frank Dawson and Abby Ginsberg

Local Filmmakers featured are:

Njaimeh Njie
Emmai Alaquiva
Demetrius Wren

SCHEDULE

Friday February 24, 2017

Post Racial Cinema: Black Film in The Obama Age – Podcast – 5 PM
Reelblack Podcast co-hosts Mike D. and Charles Woods survey Black films released from 2008-2016, identifying trends and milestones.

“African in America,” Directed Njaimeh Njie – Short – 6:15 PM
“A Day in the Life of a Hashtag,” Directed Njaimeh Njie – Short – 6:30 PM
“Ghetto Steps,” Directed by Emmai Alaquiva – Short - 6:45 PM
“Dream,” Directed by Nijla Mu’min – Short – 7:00 PM
“Chapter & Verse,” Directed by Jamal Joseph – Feature – 8 PM
Q & A Jamal Joseph

Saturday February 25, 2017

“Father’s Day,” Directed by Demetrius Wren – Short – 11 AM
Q&A Demetrius Wren 11:15 – 11:45 PM
“Agents of Change,” Directed by Frank Dawson – Documentary – 12 PM
Frank Dawson Q & A – 1:15 PM to 2 PM
Michael Schultz Master Class Q & A /2:30 PM
“Like Cotton Twines,” Directed by Leila Djansi – Feature – 4 PM

DOUBLE FEATURE
“Cooley High,” Directed by Michael Schultz – Feature – 8:15 PM
“Which Way is Up?” Directed by Michael Schultz – Feature – 10 PM

Sunday February 26, 2017

“Spirits of Rebellion Black Film at UCLA,” Directed by Irene Zeinabu Davis – Documentary – 1 PM
“Destination Planet Negro,” – Directed by Kevin Wilmott – Feature – 2:15 PM
“Two Trains Runnin’” – Directed by Sam Pollard – Documentary – 5:30 PM

Please Note: The Award given to Michael Schultz is a
commissioned work created by internationally renowned
Pittsburgh based artist, Thad Mosley.


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