ReadingFilmFEST believes black lives matter and the inequitable, marginalization, and brutal treatment of African Americans is unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with those working to bring about social justice and improving the lives of minorities. We are committed to helping build a society where everyone can live with dignity. Since its inception, ReadingFilmFEST has celebrated the diverse voices of independent filmmakers and created opportunities to lift the voices of the oppressed through their stories. We purposefully develop programming that sheds a light and educates our community on the challenges faced by society with the goal of increasing understanding of complex issues. During this time of heightened awareness of racism and social injustice, we are taking this time to listen and learn together.
This season ReadingFilmFEST will provide independent films and resources that: • address the issues of racism and inequality, • provide an alternative worldview through the eyes of its filmmaker, and/or • offer solutions for a more equitable and inclusive society. In addition, below are a list of recommended resources.
Watch
• 13th (Netflix)
• Time: The Kalief Brower Story (Netflix)
• Notes From the Field (HBO)
• American Son (Netflix)
• Just Mercy
• If Beale St. Could Talk (Hulu)
• When They See Us (Netflix)
Read
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• How to Be an Anti – Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
• Divided Sisters by Midge Wilson and Kathy Russell
• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
• They Can’t Kill Us All by Wesley Lowery
• The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon
Listen
• 1619 (New York Times)
• About Race Code Switch (NPR)
• Intersectionality Matters Podcast
• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast
• Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)
• Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt
• Fare of the Free Child Podcast
Articles
• The 1619 Project
• America’s Racial Contract Is Killing Us
• 2020 21 Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge
• Anti-Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race
It takes ten minutes to blow up a bridge and years to build one. Let’s build a bridge together.
Sincerely, ReadingFilmFEST Team