October 13-15 2017
Indiana University Northwest | Savannah Hall | Bergland Auditorium 3400 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408
The 7th Annual Gary International Black Film Festival launches with a Pre-fest KICK OFF Evening featuring a special performance by acclaimed artist-poet Saul Williams, noted for his keen ability to incorporate music, from funk to punk with bracing social commentary, along with a screening of DREAMSTATES, a film by Anisia Uzeyman & Music by Saul Williams. Williams and Uzeyman will be on hand for a lively evening of film, music and words. “How better to honor festival founding team member Kelechuwku Brnfre than to bring one of the world’s leading poets to Gary? I am sure he would approve. Using poetry as a social instigator was what Kelechukwu was all about.” noted Karen Toering, festival director.
The GIBFF is proud to partner with ArtHouse:A Social Kitchen to bring Saul to Gary Thursday, October 12, 2017 at ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen 411 E 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402 We want people to come out to see and hear this powerful artist and ethereal film. Tickets - Pay-What-You-Can
On Friday, October 13, 2017 at Indiana University’s Bergalnd Auditorium t he festival’s Opening Night features an opening Red Carpet Reception with food, music and cash bar featuring a Night of Black Brilliance with short films from local and acclaimed filmmakers including Terence Nance (THEY CHARGE FOR THE SUN), Gary’s own Jennia Aponte (90 DAYS), Stefon Bristol who’s Afro Futuristic film, SEE YOU YESTERDAY was produced by Spike Lee.
Featuring over 30 short and feature-length films that explore a variety of themes reflecting the complexity of the Black diaspora, this content rich indie film festival promises a host of filmmakers, engaged audiences and lively post screening dialogue after each film screening set. There are a variety of films to capture the imagination of old and young alike.
Full schedule available online- garyblackfilmfest.org beginning OCTOBER 1, 2017 Tickets are available online at
brownpapertickets.com/profile/27299 or Urban League of NWI 3101 Broadway, Gary, IN 46409 FOR MORE INFO 219.200.4243 [email protected]
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
FESTIVAL KICK OFF
FUNK Meets PUNK: A Celebration of the life of Kelechukwu Brnfre DREAMSTATES
ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen 411 E 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46402
Doors @ 6PM featuring a Special Performance by Saul Williams
DREAMSTATES- A Film By Anisia Uzeyman & Music by Saul Williams
Equal parts love story, road movie, and Americana, DREAMSTATES tells the haunting tale of two wayward souls (Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman) with some of the most pivotal figures of the Afro-Punk movement – Sultry, sensual, and quixotic, an underground portrait of America: haunted and hollow.
Tickets - Pay-What-You Can - (Suggested donation $15; No one will be turned away) Includes small bites and cash bar
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
A NIGHT OF BLACK BRILLIANCE
6PM Reception Film @ 7:30 Indiana University NW
Walk the red carpet with filmmakers! Opening Night features a Red Carpet reception, food, cash bar and a delightful selection of brilliant films including
90 Days Dir Nathan Hale Williams and Jennia Aponte
After ninety days of dating, a couple confronts the realities surrounding living and loving with HIV
Night Shift - Dir Marshall Tyler
A man finds a strange solitude: something he calls the art of disappearing.
They Charge for the Sun- Dir Terence Nance
In a dystopian future where people live nocturnally, a young black girl unravels the lie that has kept her and her sister in the dark.
See You Yesterday - Dir Stefon Bristol
Presented by Spike Lee, two Brooklyn teenage prodigies are determined to outwit fate and role-play as God
Tales From Shaolin: Pt 1 “Shakey Dog” Dir. Louis A Moore
Tales From Shaolin reinterprets the works of the Wu Tang Clan as a Shakespeare-meets-Tarantino, crime-filled action dark comedy
Friday Night After party - Backstage On Broadway 3764 Broadway, Gary, IN 46408
SATURDAY OCTOBER 14 12 NOON – YOUTH & STUDENT SHOWCASE
A bright collection of stunning films by or about youth
2PM DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE I – The Cost of the American Dream Against All Odds-The Fight for a Black Middle Class with Bob Herbert Blueprint For Bronzeville
3:30 PM DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE II – Revolution and Resistance
Whose Streets? Dir. Sabaah Folayan, Damon Davis
Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at how the killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown inspired a community to fight back and sparked a global movement.
5 PM SHORTS SHOWCASE I – Living while Black Short films that explore the lives of Black folk
7 PM SATURDAY NIGHT SHOWCASE
Word is Bond - Dir David Kennedy
Lyricism is the foundation of hip hop music. Word is Bond explores the nature of lyricism and those who practice the art form. From up-and-coming artists, to some of the most legendary figures the game has ever known. Hear from the likes of J. Cole, Run The Jewels, Rapsody and Nitty Scott mixed in with OG’s like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim sharing their experience.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 15 12 NOON SHORTS SHOWCASE II – Dreams Deferred
Featuring films that explore the dreams of Black folk 2PM GARY SHOWCASE I
Films from local filmmakers featuring Gary’s best 3:30 PM GIBFF HONORS CELEBRATION
Recognizing those who contribute every day to film and our city
4PM DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE III – The Fruits of our Labor Making Sky Break
From State Prisoner to State Professor
(screens with “Where is Beauty”)
6PM GARY SHOWCASE II
Films from local filmmakers featuring Gary’s best
TICKETS
Thursday, October 12 -Pay-What-You-Can (Suggested Donation)
Friday $25 (incl Red Carpet Reception) All other $10 adult $7 youth/senior brownpapertickets.com/profile/27299 or Urban League of NWI 3 101 Broadway, Gary, IN 46409 For more info garyblackfilmfest.org | 219.200.4243 | [email protected] @garyblackfilm
About the GIBFF:
The Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF) is Gary’s hometown cultural event that supports community building by bringing audiences and artists together through film. Now in its 7th year, this annual, 3-day event presents films from independent filmmakers, panel discussions, matinee screenings for middle and high school youth and in-depth chats with filmmakers, industry professionals and local community leaders.The festival is run by a committed core of community volunteers who work year round to curate films and raise money for the annual event.
The GIBFF is proud to once again work with collaborating partners the Urban League of NWI, Indiana University Northwest and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultual Affairs Northwest and ArtHouse, A Social Kitchen.. Support for the 7th Annual GIBFF is made possible by The Legacy Foundation, Knight Foundation, DHS Entertainment, Inc., the Indiana Arts Commission and the South Shore Arts Alliance.