Week of Events
MFAH Virtual Films: Nationtime – Gary
In March 1972, an estimated 10,000 Black politicians, activists, artists, and performers congregated at the National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana. Attendees included Amiri Baraka, Dick Gregory, Isaac Hayes, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Coretta Scott King, and Bobby Seale. William Greaves (1926–2014), the established documentarian of Black history, culture and politics, directed a camera crew and captured it all. Narrated by Sidney Poitier with poetry recited by Harry Belafonte, the film was thought at the time to be too radical for television broadcast and was drastically edited. Now restored to its original length, this essential documentary reveals a rousing, at times contentious, yet undeniably significant historical event.
Pier Kids presented by Houston Cinema Arts Festival 2020
For the Houston Cinema Arts Festival 2020, Houston Cinema Arts Society features virtual and drive-in screenings of films in addition to live stream performances, interactive experiences, and Q&A and panels. This year, HCAF celebrates "Urbana," inspired by the globally popular Spanish-language genre música Urbana, which has its origin in African and the trans-Atlantic slave trade.