Film Festival

Saturday, May 23  •  3 – 7 p.m.  •  Grand Hyatt Washington, Independence Level, Ballroom A

Join the Smithsonian Latino Center and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for the Black Pride Film Festival. From independent films to groundbreaking documentaries, the festival features the following. NMAAHC photography curator Aaron Bryant will introduce the documentary Through a Lens Darkly and facilitate an audience Q&A.


BAIT

3 – 4 p.m. (including Q & A)

BAIT (2014)

BAIT is a short film and a series that explores the new dating realities — and dangers — of trying to find love in the age of social media and dating applications where we often know the intimate details of a person's life, including their body parts, sexual preferences and habits, long before we know their name.

This thrilling project centers on BAIT, a new mobile dating application that tells the user exactly how close they are in proximity to another user who also has a profile on the site. The next hook-up could be miles away or standing right in front of you!

Set in the hot-spot of Washington, DC, BAIT revolves around Emanuel Woods, a beautiful psychopath who uses the new app in his desperate search for love and acceptance. Instead of finding true love on BAIT, Emanuel finds nothing more than quick and easy sex from men who lie and deceive their way into his bedroom. When Emanuel is disappointed and his feelings are hurt by lies, he lashes out in violent and deadly ways. If you’re on BAIT, then beware – the knife in your back may be a keystroke away.

Executive produced, created and written by bestselling author, Lee Hayes, BAIT is an original erotic thriller starring a talented cast of experienced and novice actors. The provocative script was written as an examination of the ways in which people “hook-up” in the 21st century and the ramifications those encounters.

BAIT is not only about the dangers of dating in this brave new world; it is also a poignant, yet scandalous, peak into the private life of a recently married couple struggling to stay together in a world set on tearing them apart. Their actions and decisions have life and death consequences for their marriage...and their lives.

 
Finding Me: The Series

4 – 5 p.m.

Finding Me: The Series...Season 2 Finale (2015)

Online TV series

Throughout the season, the characters have faced their fears and learned to overcome them. In the season's finale, the lessons they've learned will be put to the test as they embark new beginnings. Faybien, who is finally on track with his career, is now facing sexual advances from his new boss, Danielle. Greg learns that Reggie is responsible for the death of his unborn child, while Tammy is finally ready to move past the pain of that loss and rekindle her relationship with James before it is too late. Omar's desire to leave the street life will become dangerously unrealistic when he is forced to witness a heinous act.

The series is a spin off from the award winning film Finding Me and it’s sequel Finding Me: Truth. The series begins two weeks after the events of TRUTH.

 
Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People

5 – 7 p.m. (including Q & A)

Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People (2014)

90 min | Documentary, Family, History

The first documentary to explore the role of photography in shaping the identity, aspirations and social emergence of African Americans from slavery to the present, Through a Lens Darkly probes the recesses of American history by discovering images that have been suppressed, forgotten and lost.

Bringing to light the hidden and unknown photos shot by both professional and vernacular African American photographers, the film opens a window into lives, experiences and perspectives of black families that is absent from the traditional historical canon. These images show a much more complex and nuanced view of American culture and society and its founding ideals.

Inspired by Deborah Willis's book Reflections in Black and featuring the works of Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, Anthony Barboza, Hank Willis Thomas, Coco Fusco, Clarissa Sligh and many others, Through a Lens Darkly introduces the viewer to a diverse yet focused community of storytellers who transform singular experiences into a communal journey of discovery – and a call to action.

 
 
 
 
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