The 2016 Festival is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Dharathula H. "Dolly" Millender, beloved Gary historian and steadfast friend of the GIBFF. Dolly attended the inaugural GIBFF in 2011, never missed a festival since the very first day.

2016 SCHEDULE

Ava DuVernay's "13th" Opens 6th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival
Morocco Omari to host 2016 Festival

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14TH
13TH, Dir. Ava DuVernay Reception 6pm | Film 7:30
"13th"is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which theoretically outlawed slavery. It states, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States." The progression from that second qualifying clause to the horrors of mass criminalization and the sprawling American prison industry is laid out by DuVernay with bracing lucidity. This film will be followed by a panel discussion with Malkia Cyril, Founder/Executive Director Center for Media Justice, featured in the film, along with local activists who are working to end mass incarceration.

Festival special guest host, Morocco Omari (Empire, Homeland) will kick off the festival with a lively Opening Night Red Carpet reception on Friday at 6pm at IUN to welcome guests. Omari's work can be seen on the Fox series Empire featuring the actor as Lucious Lyons' (Terence Howard) half- brother, Tariq Cousins. Artist and DJ Ayana Contreras (WBEZ - Reclaimed Soul) will be the featured artist during the Red Carpet Reception. Contreras has received critical acclaim for her work as a soul music historian and installation artist.

Enjoy the Red Carpet Reception with Guest Artist Ayana Contreras (Reclaimed Soul). Food. Cash Bar
After Party with festival host, Morrocomorocco-imari-2 Omari (Empire) $5 with promo code (BROADWAY)Backstage on Broadway
GET FESTIVAL PASSES AND TICKETS HERE


SATURDAY OCTOBER 15

11AM
SOUND OF REDEMPTION: THE FRANK MORGAN STORY TICKETS
Dir. Kyle Greenberg USA
Frank Morgan was touted as the greatest saxophone player in the world, but if you wanted to hear him, you had to go to San Quentin. 91min

SCREENS WITH
ATTACHED AT THE SOUL Dir. William Leon USA 11min
Donald Kline struggles with having to leave his wife Margie's death bed in order to attend a ceremony where he and his wife will be honored for their life time achievements. Through his love, we learn how truly connected they are.

NAGA PIXIE Dir. Anthony Hobbs USA 15min
A pixie is always nagging everyone, and a group a friends trying to figure her out. Naga Pixie is a short film by 11 year old award winning filmmaker Anthony Michael Hobbs.

MARIANNE Dir. Tomisin Adepeju U.K 18min
A young Nigerian man travels to a remote Pentecostal church with his ailing wife.

INJUSTICE
Dir. Amanda Chambers USA 12min
This redemptive narrative spans an emotional spectrum of a mother who mourns the loss of a son at the hand of the system meant to protect him.

1PM
FILMMAKER PANEL DISCUSSION
#OscarsSoWhite made Hollywood take note. Are we in a more fertile time for indie Black film? Join Filmmakers Charles Murray (Luke Cage, Star), Brandon Bowens (Chicago PD, Chiraq) Hakim Khalfani (Forgiveness,LA2LA), and festival host Morocco Omari (Empire, Homeland) as we explore the new explosion of Black film. Can it last? (FREE)

2PM
MATINEE DOUBLE FEATURE
EMERGENCY CONTACT Dir. Nicolle M. Whalen
Roxanna Biltmore is a woman who knows what she wants out of life; and having to sign her mothers name as her EMERGENCY CONTACT after turning 33 years is no longer an option. In this modern day, comedy about finding love, you witness the men of Roxanna's past and present collide when she decides to take matters into her own hands. 60min

ONE LAST SUNSET: REDUX Dir Kevin Richmond USA 60
Sisters, Brigot and Nita seek shelter as an apocalytic virus turns the entire human population into flesh eating zombies. While battling disease, famine and cannibalism, they run across an unpredictable and violent, former school teacher named Diedre. 60min

4PM
MAJOR Dir. Annalise Ophelian 90min TICKETS
MAJOR! explores the life and campaigns of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black transgender elder and activist who has been fighting for the rights of trans women of color for over 40 years.
At the heart of MAJOR! is a social justice framework that puts the subjects at the center of their story. MAJOR! was produced in collaboration with Miss Major, the films participants, and a transPOC Community Advisory Board to ensure that these stories, which are so often marginalized, exoticized, or played for tragic drama, retain the agency and humanity of those who tell them.

SCREENS WITH
REMIXING COLOR BLIND Dir.Sheena Howard USA 30min
This documentary embarks on examining how the educational system today shapes our understanding of race and, by extension, the nuances of race relations - including notions of implicit bias, individual racism, and institutional racism.

7PM
HONEYTRAP Dir. Rebecca Johnson USA 100min
Inspired by true events, it tells a story of fifteen-year-old Layla, who sets up the boy in love with her to be killed. When Troy discards her, Layla is left in ruins. She vows to rebuild herself as a hardened player in order to win him back and Shaun becomes a pawn in her game. Soon the forces she has set in motion are escalating out of control. The first UK urban drama seen from a girl's point of view, HONEYTRAP is authentically local in its setting but universal in its themes of passion, jealousy and revenge. We have not seen a character like Layla take centre-stage before and it's time her story to be told.
Girlhood and gang culture collide as 15-year old Layla (Jessica Sula) contends with bullying at a new school by transforming herself inside and out. The teen's compulsive journey for love and acceptance soon becomes fatal in this cautionary tale based on headline news.

SCREENS WITH
EASY LIFE Dir. Arnaud Bettan France 11min
The story of a dad attempting to make his rebellious kid understand how easy his life is compared to some other kids in the world. To get his message across, he tells a vivid story of a little kid in Africa being turned into a child soldier.

MAN VS BEAST: CHILD EDITION Dir. Malik Bolton USA 3mins
A comedic retelling of a life changing event in my life. The day i was attacked by dogs.

THE CLOSET Dir. Timeca Seretti USA 14min
Haile Stephens has it all, the husband, the house, the car and all that money can buy. Or does she?

FORGOTTEN SUNSET Dir. Alex Costello USA 24min
After recently being released from prison, a man tries to reconnect with his daughter and see if there is any chance of saving their relationship.

9PM LATE NIGHT FEATURE
THE HILLZ Dir. Ernest Battle 9:00pm TICKETS
Pharoh (ERNEST BATTLE) and his cousin Ali (NICK TATE) finds themself in a bit of a rough patch when they cross two known gangsters. With Ali out of the picture Pharoh has to figure out a way to make things better on his own.

SCREENS WITH
THE EXAMPLE Dir.Gordon Williams USA 24min
During a race riot in Beaumont, Texas in June 1943, Officer Miller Harvey, a white police officer crosses paths with Black business owner Carver Jefferson. Tensions explode on that hot summer night, forcing them to make decisions that will question their morals, loyalty and manhood.

ReversALL Dir.Eric Matthews USA 10min
Helen and Marcus Thomas are minority cafe owners, working through the daily struggles of married life and keeping their business afloat. Their stressful Saturday morning is interrupted by a call from the Police. They arrive, one seeking to hold the blue line, the other, regretting lives he has just changed.

BUS STOP Dir.Jason Bostic USA 6min
What would you do if you saw an old professor at a bus stop? What impact did they have on your life? What impact will you have on theirs, now that you are what you wanted to be?

SOME TORCHES DON'T BURN Dir.Chris Reese USA 22min
The film examines progress (realized or perceived) in the African-American community since the civil rights era, while telling the story of the films' patriarchal character Winston.

MAN VS BEAST: CHILD EDITION Dir.Malik Bolton USA 3min
A comedic retelling of a life changing event in my life. The day i was attacked by dogs.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

10AM
BRUNCH & BLACK FILM @ Mama Pearls 411 E. 5th Ave., Gary IN

LIBERTY IN A SOUP Dir. Dudley Alexis Haiti 60min
This documentary traces the culinary tradition of Soup Jomou, celebrating the Haitian Revolution. $8 buffet, giveaways @ Mama Pearls, 411 E 5th Avenue
11AM
SLEEPER Dir. Christopher Miles TICKETS

A former soldier named Luke King, who is wanted for the assassination of the President of the United States. While on the run, Luke takes a hostage and they drive to a remote house in the desert. While there, the truth unfolds.

SCREENS WITH
LOVE Dir. Marcellus Cox USA 14min
Based on A True Story About Raymond Porter from Van Nuys, California. A Young Man who captures and seeks his revenge on the murderer of his Mother.

BULLIED Dir. Khaled Ridgeway USA 6min
A meek high school janitor struggles to maintain both his dignity and moral compass when a bullying incident spirals out of control.

THE CLOSET Dir.Timeca Seretti USA 14min
Haile Stephens has it all, the husband, the house, the car and all that money can buy. Or does she?

1PM
JERICO Dir. Seckita Lewis 97min
Best friends, Jerico Walker and Jarvis Cook, set out on the morning of the signing of the civil rights act of 1964 with aspirations to capture the newly available Paper Press Manager promotion. But when their car breaks down all hell breaks loose. Husband and Wife team, Director Seckeita Lewis and Writer Brandon Lewis bring a fresh story that will make you laugh, cry, and think.

SCREENS WITH:
LOST BOY Dir. Aisha Porter-Christie Jamaica 12min
A 12 year old Jamaican runaway sneaks back into to his home town for what he assumes will be a routine visit with his best friend. Things don't quite go according to plan.

NAGA PIXIE Dir. Anthony Hobbs USA 15min
A pixie is always nagging everyone, and a group a friends trying to figure her out. Naga Pixie is a short film by 11 year old award winning filmmaker Anthony Michael Hobbs.

3PM
GARY SPOTLIGHT FEATURE
DEATH OF A KING Dir.Josetta Shropshire USA 60min
Death Of A King - A.D. King - The Untold Story… the true amazing life history of Rev. Alfred Daniel Williams King, the only blood brother of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Presented in partnership with the Urban League of NWI
SCREENS WITH
OUR LIVES IN TRANSIT Dir.Laura Quintana Soms U.K. 31min

Life in the Dominican Republic in the aftermath of a controversial law that leaves over 200,000 people doubting their own identity. This is a story of migration and nationality, rejection and belonging.

The Process Dir. Folleh Tamba USA 0:12:59
[The Process] What role do you play in the fight for social justice and human rights? Art is a weapon. Gary, Indiana activist and performance artist N. Davina Stewart is one of many continuing the tradition of using performance art and teaching to combat social injustice. This is her process. What's yours?

5:00 PM
CLOSING NIGHT AWARDS SPECIAL
(FREE)