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Harlem International Film Festival at Aaron Davis Hall

Celebrating the art of cinema in the home of the Harlem Renaissance, The Harlem International Film Festival (Hi) inspires and entertains by honoring dynamic films by anyone about anything under the sun. Conceived from the belief that we all have unique experiences and perspectives to share, the Festival actively seeks and exhibits fresh and urgent work. Hi is committed to exemplifying the eminence that Harlem represents and is dedicated to bringing attention to the finest filmmakers from Harlem to Hong Kong.

The Hi experience integrates the best that Harlem has to offer – great restaurants, unique boutiques, world-class music venues, prestigious universities and cultural institutions, and a long history of excellence in the Arts. The Festival showcases features, documentaries, shorts, animation, youth projects, episodic work and cutting edge music video. Other events include Hi noon lunchtime screenings, the screenplay showdown, panel discussions, nightlife, the Hi Honors and the Renaissance Awards gala.

In addition to showcasing some of the best films from around the world, the Festival also features the Harlem Spotlight, which highlights films produced or directed by Harlem residents, films shot in Harlem, or films about Harlem and her legendary history.

Films Expected to be Screened

The Original Harlem Globetrotters

Director: Loradonna Frucci, Lizbeth Fuentes, Country: United States, Running Time: 12 min

Basketball players Hot Shot and Cheese, visit Maysles and their film students to reconnect with Harlem from behind their lenses. Lizbeth and Loradonna got exclusive interviews with the players and behind the scenes access to their 10-day residency.

Two is One and One is None

Director: Annette Hampton, Country: United States, Running Time: 10 min

Being prepared is one thing, but there’s also being paranoid. Briefly speaking on her own experience Annette turns the question of emotions, expression and preparation to her friends.

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Director: Camara Ife Aaron, Felicia Shayda Sobhani

Country: Dominica, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland, United States,  Running Time: 9:52

12-year-old Liv, the star of her middle school soccer team and its only girl. When she gets her period in the middle of playoffs, her best friends, Zora and Priya, have to help her find a pad so she can get back on the field and play. Along the way, they find an unlikely ally in a member of Liv’s all-male team.

Harlem Dawn

Director: Cathleen Campbell, Country: United States, Running Time: 3 min

For the past 9 years, I've kept a not-quite-daily photo diary of sunrise above the Harlem rooftops that i see from my window.

Harlem Wine

Director: Natasha Beste, Country: United States, Running Time: 3 min

Harpist Maurice Draughn performs his original composition, titled "Harlem Wine,' captured specially for this film using a selection of antique and custom-made lenses.

As a native of Detroit, opportunities for creative excellence were prevalent throughout Maurice Draughn’s formative years. The musical heritage of his family and the artistic community in Detroit continues to inspire him as an artist and composer. It is this inspiration that informs Draughn’s writing whenever he composes. Being an active performer has allowed him to collaborate with various artists, from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to Stevie Wonder. Through these collaborations, Draughn has received commissions from various artists, ensembles, and organizations.

Harlem Fragments

Director: Cameron Tyler Carr, Country: United States, Running Time: 17 min

An Afro-futurist scrapbook storytelling of a Harlem Black family's beautiful destruction during the 2008 recession. A natural disaster so mesmerizing you can't look away from the tragedy. Based on true events.

Harlem Blues

Director: Kia C. Folsom, Country: United State, Running Time: 17 min

"Harlem Blues" is a poignant drama following Kaycee, a woman grappling with the aftermath of a shattered engagement as she navigates the vibrant streets of Harlem, finding solace in friendship while confronting the ghosts of her past. Through moments of introspection and unexpected encounters, Kaycee learns to embrace the possibility of a fresh start, discovering resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of love amidst the rich tapestry of life in the city.

Feeling

Director: Hilton Goode, Country: US, Running Time: 28 mins

On the night of Élysée Jackson's 23rd birthday, her old friend Bento Benson, in a bid to make the occasion unforgettable, declares they must listen to at least one of her prized records while under the influence. What unfolds for the pair is the creation of a shared realm-crafted embrace, where the world around them begins to fade away, leaving room for their relationship to blossom on this single unforgettable night.