Join us for The Central Library Black Film Festival!!

During Black History Month, the Reynolds Media Center will showcase groundbreaking gems of Black cinema from across the decades, some rarely seen. The Festival owes its genesis to Maya Cade's magnificent database Black Film Archive (blackfilmarchive.com)

Schedule of Events:

Monday, February 3, 2025

4:00 pm: Selma (2014)

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for Blacks to register to vote. In 1965, Selma became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

4:00 pm: Amazing Grace (2019)

In 1972, after a series of 11 consecutive hits, Aretha Franklin recorded `Amazing Grace,' the most successful gospel album of all time, at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

Friday, February 7, 2025

12:00 pm: Loving (2016)

Richard and Mildred Loving (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga) fell in love and were married in 1958 but were arrested for violating Virginia's laws against interracial marriage. Their struggle to live and raise a family in their home state gave rise to a landmark Supreme Court decision.

Saturday, February 8, 2025

12:00 pm: 42 (2013)

In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies major league baseball's notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The heroic act puts both  the public, the press and other players

Monday, February 10, 2025

4:00 pm: What's Love Got To Do With It? (1993)

Based on the life of the legendary soul singer, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) - born Anna Mae Bullock - discovers her love of singing in her Tennessee church choir. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career, and there she meets the charismatic Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who rechristens her Tina and offers to help her succeed. As a musical team, Ike and Tina take the charts by storm. But as her physical abuse worsens, Tina has to make the tough decision to leave Ike and set out on her own.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

4:00 pm: Clockers (1995)

A gripping crime drama from director Spike Lee. The lives of a group of young Brooklyn drug dealers are further complicated by the murder of a rival drug dealer. Stars Harvey Keitel, Delroy Lindo, John Tuturro, and Isaiah Washington.

Monday, February 17, 2025

4:00 pm: Cry Freedom (1987)

The true story of a white South African journalist who befriends black political activist Steven Biko, and must escape the country to tell the murdered Biko's story. Starring Denzel Washington and Kevin Kline. Directed by Richard Attenborough.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

4:00 pm: Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling (1986)

Richard Prior's landmark, autobiographical role as Jo Jo Dancer, a popular standup comedian who suffers severe burns while freebasing cocaine.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

2:00 pm: Mississippi Burning (1988)

A fictionalized account of the FBI's investigation into the 1964 disappearance of three civil rights workers. Starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, and Frances McDormand.

Monday, February 24, 2025

4:00 pm: The Great White Hope (1970)

A Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down. Starring James Earl Jones and Jane Alexander.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

4:00 pm: In the Heat of the Night (1967)

Academy Award Winner for Best Picture about a black police detective from Philadelphia who forces a bigoted Southern sheriff to accept his help after a wealthy Chicago businessman is murdered in a small Mississippi town. Directed by Norman Jewison, and starring Rod Steiger, Sidney Poitier, Warren Oates, and Lee Grant.

Friday, February 28, 2025

2:00 pm: All Night Long (1961)

"Othello" with a jazz beat, this film features some of the best jazz musicians of all time: Charlie Mingus, Dave Brubeck, Johnny Danworth, and Geoffrey Holder.

Date: February 3 - 28, 2025

Location: Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604

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