The Crusader Newspaper Group

6th Bill Johnson Black Film Festival held this weekend

The Glen Theatre, located at 20 West Ridge Road, and owned and operated by the African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc., will host its 6th Annual Black Film Festival on Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18.

The film festival will be hosted by Gary native and Hollywood actor, William L. Johnson. Johnson is a graduate of Emerson School of Visual and Performing Arts. He has played major roles in numerous featured films and movie shorts. Film producers and or actors will answer questions following the movies each night.

Among the film producers, directors and actors scheduled to attend this year’s event are Charles Greer IV, a child actor, who is known for “Dreams My Master” (2016), “School of Rock” (2016) and “Legendary Dudas” (2016); Ganeesh Genus, a student film producer who produced the short film, “Good Morning”; Candice Vernon, a writer, director and film producer of the film, “Make America Great?” which will be shown; Saquan Jones, author of the novel, “The Weights of the World” and director of movies, “Founders Keeper,” “10 Minutes” and his feature movie, “Love Isn’t Enough,” will be shown; and DeKeldric, a young film producers who wrote and produced “Split Decision.”

The Gary Branch of the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – AKK Chapter, AKA Sorority – Gamma Psi Omega Chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, New Hope M.B. Church, Froebel Alumni Park Committee, and the African American Achievers will host Friday night with an Opening Night Reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. The feature movie will be Love Isn’t Enough. Also, shown will be several movie shorts including, Make American Great, Rise Up, Same Fruit – Different Tree, The Conscience, Split Decision, Showtime, Gila Monster, and Some Torches Don’t Burn. Tickets are $20 and can be secured via members of the NAACP or by calling 949-5565 or at Beautiful Things in the Village Shopping Mall in Gary. The cost at the door is $25.

Brothers’ Keeper, New Hope M.B. Church, Triumph the Church and the Kingdom of God in Christ, Feed My Sheep Resource Center, Inc., First AME Missionary Society, and the Clark Road Foundation will join the Achievers in hosting Saturday night. The feature movie will be Stripes. Also, showing will be several movie shorts including, The Letter Carrier, Behind Closed Doors, Love, Dreams My Master, The Storyteller, and Woman Scorned. Tickets for Saturday are $15; the admission at the door is $20. Tickets may be secured from any of the sponsors. Tickets for both nights may be secured at Beautiful Things in the Village Shopping Mall in Gary. Combo tickets for both nights are $30.

For additional information, contact Rep. Vernon G. Smith, Achievers Board Chairman, at 887-2046.

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