LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Sept. 15, 2012) - When you think about the fight for civil rights, especially living in Arkansas, you often think first of the desegregation of Central High school.
We're coming up on the 55th anniversary of the Central High Crisis.
And to leading up to it, the Little Rock Film Festival has teamed up with the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, to bring us the Reel Civil Rights Film Festival.
"The festival sheds light on important past and contemporary civil and human rights issues in the nation and abroad," says Reel Civil Rights festival director Spirit Trickey. "It is a privilege to honor such distinguished civil rights icons as the Little Rock Nine, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith, and Tony Award winner Harry Belafonte."
The festival kicks off with an opening night screening of Miss Representation on Friday, September 21st at 7 p.m. in the Conway Room of the Peabody Hotel.
Screenings will continue all day Saturday at the Peabody, along with a discussion with author and motivational speaker Kevin Powell at Oxford American Magazine (1300 Main Street).
Sunday's screenings and events will take place at the Argenta Community Theater in North Little Rock, including a 6 p.m. screening and conversation with Olympic gold medalist and civil rights activist Tommie Smith.
Closing night of the festival will take place on Tuesday, September 25th at 7 p.m. at the Argenta Community Theater, with a screening of Harry Belafonte's documentary, Sing Your Song: The Music, Hope and Vision of a Man and an Era. Both Harry Belafonte and members of the Little Rock Nine will be honored at the screening.
"Little Rock's importance in American civil rights history makes our city the perfect place to hold the Reel Civil Rights Film Festival," says LRFF Executive Director Craig Renaud. "The Little Rock Film Festival is proud to help Spirit Trickey grow the Reel Civil Rights Film Festival into one more reason why Little Rock is becoming the next great Southern City."
All screenings and events are FREE and open to the public, but tickets are required. For tickets: http://lrff.eventbrite.com.
(Source: Little Rock Film Festival)