Blackout for Human Rights, a collective of creatives dedicated to justice, will present the first annual Blackout Music & Film Festival on August 29 in Los Angeles.
Organizations dedicated to social justice including Black Lives Matter, ColorofChange, Million Hoodies, Dream Defenders, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, For Harriet, and more have teamed up to present the festival which includes two special screenings of award-winning films, three featured panels on storytelling, social justice and music, live musical performances, a signature artist showcase and more.
Michael Latt, Director of Blackout Music & Film Festival, said:
We're excited to bring the Los Angeles community together to celebrate the power of storytelling in film, music and art in illuminating our shared humanity and exploring the complex social issues of our time. Centeredon the intersection of social justice and storytelling, the Blackout Festival reflects our commitment to the idea that all of our stories deserve to be told and all of our lives deserve to be valued and protected in policies and laws.
A press release for the festival reads:
The festival kicks off with a special screening of Marc Silver’s Sundance Film Festival award- winning documentary "3 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets," presented by PICO National Network’s Live Free Campaign. In addition, there will be a special screening of Justin Simien’s award-winning film “Dear White People.”
With Blackout Music & Film Festival, our goal is to create a space for the exhibition and exploration of art that provides a springboard for critical analysis, community building and creative collaboration," stated filmmaker Ryan Coogler, founding member of Blackout for Human Rights.
The Signature Artist Showcase includes work from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Adrian Franks, Hank Willis Thomas, Synthia Saint James, Bayeté Ross Smith, Damon Davis, Shikeith, Mariella Angela, Nikkolos Mohammed, Basil Kincaid, Darryl King, Whitney Alix of Rebel Citizen and spoken word performances by Leo Breckenridge and actress/musician/artist Amandla Stenberg. The "#SayHerName Voices for the Cause Music Showcase," features live musical performances by Grammy Award winner Lalah Hathaway, V. Bozeman (Empire), PJ (Atlantic Records) and more.
The three featured panels throughout the day will cover a wide range of topics including the importance of diversity in media representation, the role of art in activism, effective solutions for racial justice, and more. The storytelling panel featuring actress, Tracee Ellis Ross, The Blacklist founder, Franklin Leonard, director, Justin Simien, actor, Mo McRae, Entertainment Tonight co- host, Kevin Frazier and more.
You can buy tickets here and visit Blackout for Human Rights for more information.
Photos: Blackout for Human Rights
