African Diaspora International Film Festival DC

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 1pm | Maluala – Remembering Sergio Giral This is part of a trilogy of films about Cuba's slave uprisings made by Sergio Giral, the best-known Afro-Cuban director. Directed by Sergio Giral, 1979, 84 minutes, Drama, Cuba, Spanish with English subtitles 3pm | Bezness - Classic Roufa, a young prostitute (Bezness) befriends a French photographer sent to do an expose. Directed by Nouri Bouzid, 1992, 100 minutes, Drama, Tunisia, Arabic with English subtitles 5:30pm | Mother Suriname - DC Premiere Filmmaker Tessa Leuwsha uses colorized archival footage and narration to vividly portray Suriname’s history through the life of a Surinamese woman, capturing the personal and cultural landscape of the country. Directed by Tessa Leuwsha, 2023, 71 minutes, Documentary, Netherlands, Suriname, English OPENING NIGHT FILM! 7:30pm | Breaking Boundaries + Q&A - US Premiere This documentary follows Nastasya Generalova, a rhythmic gymnast striving to become the first African-American from the USA to compete in the Olympics, as she navigates systemic biases and limited resources with the support of her Russian mother. It explores the emotional and physical challenges she faces on her journey, showcasing her resilience and ambition. Q&A with Nastasya Generalova after the screening and catered reception! SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 SPOTLIGHT ON BRAZIL: FIGHTING WHITE SUPREMACY IN BRAZIL 10am | Marighella Afro-Brazilian poet and politician Carlos Marighella becomes a revolutionary enemy of the power structure following the CIA-backed military coup of 1964 in Brazil. Directed by Wagner Moura, 2021, 155 minutes, Action/Drama, Brazil, Portuguese with English subtitles 1pm | Rolê - Stories of Brazilian Protests in Malls - DC Premiere his documentary explores the lives of three black activists who, through their participation in shopping mall protests, confront racial discrimination and social exclusion in Brazil. Directed by Vladimir Seixas, 2021, 82 minutes, Documentary, Brazil, Portuguese with English subtitles 3pm | Power Alley - DC Premiere Promising volleyball player Sofia faces an unwanted pregnancy and seeks an illegal termination, becoming the target of a fundamentalist group in this intense drama. Directed by Lillah Halla, 2023, 92 minutes, Drama, Brazil, Portuguese with English subtitles 5:30pm | Fighting White Supremacy: The African American Experience - Short Films Program 1.Keepers of the Flame: On the eve of the 1913 Women’s Suffrage parade, activist Mary Church Terrell and African-American sorority leaders confront Alice Paul about the racist exclusion of Black suffragettes. 2.How to Get Free: This documentary short follows Elisabeth Epps, founder of the Colorado Freedom Fund, as she fights to abolish cash bail and end the criminalization of poverty in Colorado. 3.Judging Juries: This documentary examines barriers to jury service, such as low juror pay and the exclusion of individuals with former felony convictions, and highlights recent legislative efforts in California to address these issues. 7:30pm | Colorism in the Latino Community White Like the Moon The story of a 13 year old Mexican-American girl's struggle for identity when her mother forces her to bleach her skin white to fit into the Anglo society of San Antonio, Texas, in the late 1950s. Directed by Marina Palmier, 2001, 23 minutes, Drama, USA, Spanish with English subtitles. NEGRITA - DC Premiere This documentary features empowered Afro-Latinas across the United States sharing their experiences of navigating a racialized society and the impact on their personal and professional lives. SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 10:00am | Nome - DC Premiere Set in 1969 Guinea-Bissau, Nome leaves his village to join the guerrillas fighting the Portuguese colonial army, only to return years later as a hero whose joy turns to bitterness and cynicism. 12:30pm | Claude Mc Kay: From Harlem to Marseille - DC Premiere Rebellious figure of the Harlem Renaissance, precursor of literature and of the black cause, this unclassifiable author wandered for more than 10 years in Europe, frequenting the artistic and political avant-gardes. Directed by Matthieu Verdeil, 2021, 80 minutes, Documentary, France, English, French (with English subtitles) 2:30pm | The Wall Street Boy - DC Premiere With his life in jeopardy and jail almost a certainty, one question remains, how could a farm boy bring down the global financial system and how far is the international world order willing to go to silence his story? 4:30pm | I Heard it Through the Grapevine - DC Premiere Renowned Black writer James Baldwin retraces his Civil Rights Movement experiences, reflecting on the lack of progress over two decades and the impact on those who survived but were deeply affected. CLOSING NIGHT 6:30pm | One Person, One Vote + Q&A - DC Premiere This film explores the impact of the Electoral College on American politics & minority party vote erasure. Directed by Maximina Juson, 2024, 78 min, Documentary, USA

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