The Glen Theatre, located at 20 West Ridge Road, and owned and operated by the African American Achievers Youth Corps, Inc., will host its 7th Annual Black Film Festival Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17, 2018.
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. He is the lead actor in “Nothing Like Thanksgiving” and a music video, “Freedom Ain’t Free,” to be shown during this year’s event. 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), and “Pushing Skills;” Maceo Lester, a student film producer who produced and directed the short film, “All to Myself;” Tara Ratney, the writer of “The Proposal;” Saquan Jones, author of the novel, the “Weights of the World” and director of the movies “Founders Keeper,” “10 Minutes,” and “And Then There Where 4;” Antonio Jefferson, an actor, writer, producer and editor, and the producer of “Domestic Disturbance;” George McGill, lead actor in “Domestic Disturbance;” Ken Lewis, a Gary native and producer and director of “Final Interrogation.”
The Gary Branch of the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – AKK Chapter, AKA Sorority – Gamma Psi Omega Chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 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 “Nothing Like Thanksgiving.” Also, shown will be several movie shorts including, “Silent Cries: The Prelude,” “The Talk,” “Domestic Disturbance,” “Bill 2/29” and “Rolling in the Deep.” 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, Feed My Sheep Resource Center, Inc., First AME Missionary Society, Bea’s Classy Ladies, Higher Education Matters, Red Roses Red Hatters Chapter, and the Blind Social Center will join the Achievers in hosting Saturday night. The feature movie will be “And Then There Were 4.” Also, shown will be several movie shorts including, A Beautiful Love, Pushing Skills, and Final Interrogation. 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.
The youth film festival will be held at Thea Bowman High School and Wirt Emerson School of Performing Arts on February 16 at 9:30 a.m. Johnson is a graduate of Emerson School of Performing Arts.
For additional information, contact Rep. Vernon G. Smith, Achievers Board Chairman, at 887-2046.
