The Phoenix Film Festival is proud to present these films that spotlight stories by, experiences from, and life as a member of THE African AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

Some Kind of Justice

Run Time: 115 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Friday, March 28 at 1:50pm
Saturday, March 29 at 1:40pm
Sunday, March 30 at 11:20am

Directed by: Brian Jervay

Cast: Leonard D. Jackson, Brian Jervay, Kyon Davis, Kendall M. Austin, Damani Akil Taylor

Synopsis: Gerald Owens' world is devastated after the senseless murder of his only child, Jefferson. With no willing witnesses, and police having no clues, Gerald teams up with the surviving father of another murder victim, and together they set out to get "Some Kind of Justice!."

African American
Directed Shorts A

Run Time: 80 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Friday, March 28 at 11:25am
Sunday, March 30 at 1:05pm
Wednesday, April 2 at 2:45pm

If They Took Us Back
Directed by: Holly Charles-Pearson
Synopsis: The U.S. returns all emancipated slaves to Africa in 1863. A century later, a descendant returns in exchange for reparations.

Split Blood
Directed by: Deiondre Teagle
Synopsis:  Marcus is an Olympic caliber wrestler with a promising future. One night will change the course of his life forever.

BeforeHand
Directed by: Alphonso McAuley 
Synopsis: A thrifty customer encounters a first hand experience while shopping at a second hand store. 

Resistance
Directed by: Di Shawn J. Gandy, Michael Maurice
Synopsis: Faced with what seems as an insurmountable obstacle, a boy is taught a valuable lesson on the power of resistance.

Hotaru
Directed by: Herman J.R. Johnson 
Synopsis: With her family facing significant changes, Kayla must confront deep-seated trauma, forcing her to navigate a path to healing. 

Soul of the City
Directed by: Roger Melvin
Synopsis:  A pedicab company in Leimert Park gives ex-convicts a second chance, pedaling through the city to reclaim what was lost.

African American
Directed Shorts B

Run Time: 75 minutes

Screening Time(s):
Friday, March 28 at 3:40pm
Sunday, March 30 at 9:05am
Wednesday, April 2 at 12:05pm

Alejandro!
Directed by: Christopher A. Brown
Synopsis: A sentient piñata embarks on a journey to discover its purpose.

Sweet Santa Barbara Brown
Directed by: Eric Dyson
Synopsis: Inspired by actual and uniquely American events, four teammates confront the violent consequences of being Black in America. 

Help!
Directed by: Alex Chew 
Synopsis: A resilient nanny is trapped with a combative little boy and his abused mother in 1960s rural Texas. 

Birthday Blues
Directed by: Zinha Morgan-Bennett
Synopsis: Tony's just turned 26 and is feeling blue... until he discovers a magical dance floor where one never grows up.

Thomasville
Directed by: Alex Woodruff
Synopsis: Trapped in a rainswept car, a young man and his ailing father confront their fractured history before it's too late.

Calamity Jane
Directed by: Robin Cloud 
Synopsis: A barrel racing champion, haunted by a fall, rediscovers courage and love through an unexpected bond.