Community Calendar

The first documentary to explore the role of photography in shaping the identities, aspirations, and social emergence of African Americans, Through a Lens Darkly probes the recesses of American history, bringing to light images captured by African American photographers that have been suppressed, forgotten, and lost. These images reveal a 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. Directed by Thomas Allen Harris, the film is distributed by First Run Features and has a run time of ninety minutes.

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.

The People Could Fly is a poetic look into the history of Black gathering spaces in Louisville, KY, from the 1960s to mid-2000s. Intimate video portraits reveal the ritual of skating and how roller rinks emerged as sanctuaries for Black culture, joy, and resilience. This short documentary explores the magic conjured by one community as an act of resistance in the face of segregation. Directed by Imani Denison, The People Could Fly was co-produced by POV Shorts on PBS and Chicken & Egg Films. It has a run time of 24 minutes.

All hybrid events will be livestreamed to our YouTube page and can be found under the “Live” tab. Recordings of select past events are available on YouTube as well.

Sneakerheadz is a 2015 documentary film that explores the global subculture of sneaker collecting. The film examines the cultural impact of sneakers, from their origins in sports and hip-hop to their status as high-value, collectible art pieces. Directed by David T. Friendly and Mick Partridge, Sneakerheadz takes a comprehensive look at the lives of sneaker collectors across the world, from New York to Tokyo. Viewers are advised that this film includes some discussion of violent crime. Sneakerheadz is distributed by Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., and has a runtime of one hour and thirteen minutes.

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.