Maya Angelou film makes RiverRun’s African-American lineup this year
Submitted photo
Maya Angelou is the subject of the movie “Maya Angelou And Still I Rise.”
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The RiverRun International Film Festival has announced the full line-up of films for the 18th annual Festival, running April 7-17. This year RiverRun will screen 166 films, including 76 features and 90 shorts from 44 countries. RiverRun will take place in various screening venues in and around downtown Winston-Salem.
The Film Festival is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the role of cinema as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints. Founded in 1998, RiverRun is a competitive event that annually showcases new films from both established and emerging filmmakers around the world.
Each spring, RiverRun screens new narrative, documentary, short, student and animated films, offer-ing both audience and jury prizes in competition categories. Many of this year’s films feature a wide range of talent from local and national African- American directors and actors. directors and actors.
Tickets for the 2016 Festival are on sale via www.riverrunfilm.com or 336-721-1945. Below are selected offerings. Go to http://riverrunfilm.com/genre/black-viewpoints/ for the full list.
Centerpiece Screening: “Maya Angelou And Still I Rise”
Directors: Bob Hercules & Rita Coburn-Whack
USA / 2016 / 112 min. /English
Rating: TN (Teen+)
A tribute to the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, poet, actress, activist and icon Maya Angelou, this reverent documentary love letter shows how her life has inspired countless people around the world.
Sponsored by Wake Forest University
Screening Times: April 11 / 8 p.m. /SECCA
April 12 / 7:30 p.m. /SECCA
“Driving While Black”
Director: Paul Sapiano
USA / 2015 / 94 min. /English
Rating: MT (Mature) Dimitri delivers pizzas
for a living, but as a young black man he faces no shortage of drama while navigating the city every day. “Driving While Black” is a dark comedy based on the real life law enforcement encounters of a black kid from LA.
Screening Times: April 8 / 7 p.m. /Hanesbrands Theatre
April 10 / 4 p.m. /Hanesbrands Theatre
Documentary Shorts
Program One 102 min.
Rating: MT (Mature) Screening Times: April 9 / 2 p.m. /UNCSA – Babcock Theatre April 15 / 5:30 p.m. /UNCSA – Babcock Theatre
“The Black Belt”
Director: Margaret Brown
USA / 2016 / 10 Min. In 2015, the State of Alabama closed 31 DMVs, which largely impacted voters in the state’s Black Belt. To combat these closures, the Mobile Voter Registration unit was created. This film tags along to see how voters are registered in this new process.
Also, in the movie “No Hand King,” the self-proclaimed “no hand king” of Raleigh, N.C,. shares his past struggles and his motivations to become the best in the world at what he does, claiming the record for the longest no-handed wheelie. Screenings will be on April 15 and 16.
In addition, Michael Paulucci, director of the narrative short film “Pronouns” lives in Winston-Salem. Screening will be April 10 and 15.
