The Social Justice Now Film Festival (SJNFF) has revealed its impressive lineup of official narrative, documentary features, and short films. Taking place from February 22-24, 2024, at Sony Pictures Entertainment’s studio lot in Culver City, this event is proudly sponsored by Sony Pictures.
This year’s festival will present thought-provoking screenings including the BET+ Original Film Kemba and documentary shorts such as How to Sue the Klan and Underwater Projects. It will also feature the world premiere of 848: The Criminalization of America.
With a mission to promote reflection and action, the Social Justice Now Film Festival serves as a vital platform to address pressing social and economic issues affecting Black and Brown communities, including racism, criminal justice reform, and equity. Through the lens of established and emerging filmmakers, combined with insightful discussions with activists and academics, the festival aims to raise awareness and drive positive change.
Festival Director Melanie Sharee emphasized the festival’s belief in the transformative power of film for social change. She expressed gratitude to Sony for supporting the festival’s mission and providing filmmakers with a platform to share their unique perspectives and engage with the community.
For more information about the festival schedule, visit https://socialjusticenowfilmfestival.org/films/. To attend the event, you can register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/social-justice-now-film-festival-78794526593. Stay updated by following SJNFF on social media @socialjusticenowfilmfestival.
Thursday, February 22, 2024
7:00 p.m.
Kemba
Narrative Feature | 87 min
Director: Kelley Kali
Writer: Christine Swanson
Produced by: MPI Original Films
Producers: Rob Pfaltzgraff, Lana Link, Stacey Parks
Executive Producers: Nick Reid, Kemba Smith, Constance Orlando, Maureen Guthman
Cast: Nesta Cooper, Siddiq Saunderson, Sean Patrick Thomas, Michelle Hurd
A story about a college student who unwittingly becomes involved with a drug kingpin amid the “war on drugs.”
Friday, February 23, 2024
7:00 p.m.
The Fight for Black Lives
Documentary Feature | 72 min | LA Premiere
Producer/Director: Micere Keels
This documentary explores how racial stress and systemic issues in the American healthcare system impact the health of Black individuals.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
1:00 p.m.
848: The Criminalization of America
Documentary Feature | 76 min | World Premiere
Writer/Director: Thomas Freeman, Jr.
Producer: Demetrius Hill
Executive Producers: Akira Pray, Dr Ansari, Nathaniel Banks
A documentary focusing on U.S. code 848, known as the Kingpin charge, which has led to non-violent offenders serving extensive prison sentences. This film delves into the history and impact of this charge while proposing solutions for change.
4:00 p.m.
Short Film Collection I
How to Sue the Klan
Director/Producer: John Beder
Genre: Documentary | Duration: 35 min
Produced by: Benjamin Crump, Cameron S. Mitchell, Raji Ramanathan
The film “How to Sue the Klan” tells the empowering story of five Black women from Chattanooga who cleverly used the law to confront the Ku Klux Klan in a groundbreaking civil case in 1982. They fought to hold the Klan accountable for their actions, seeking justice for their community. This victory by the women established a legal precedent that continues to inspire the fight against organized hate groups.
Bienvenidos a Los Angeles
Genre: Narrative | Duration: 17 min
Writer & Director: Lisa Cole
Producers: Vivian Johnson, Cindy Lu, Jolene Mendes, Benjamin O’Keefe, Lolia Etomi
Cast: Destiny Faith Nelson, Stacey Patino, Ethan Mendez, Rashmi Rustagi, Yvonne Huff Lee
The film “Bienvenidos a Los Angeles” follows the story of Imani, a single mother from Nigeria living in Los Angeles. She offers to assist a stranger in reuniting with her son, only to realize that this act of kindness could jeopardize her own quest for citizenship.
Breathe
Genre: Narrative | Duration: 16 min
Writer & Director: Jamie Burton-Oare
Producer: Jamie Burton-Oare
Executive Producer: Shannon E. Riggs
Cast: Stephen Hill
In “Breathe“, Eric faces the ordinary events of his day in his neighborhood, but for the world, it marks the moment when Eric comes to terms with his final moments.
7:00 p.m.
Short Film Collection II
Underwater Projects
Genre: Documentary | Duration: 28 min | World Premiere
Co-Directors: Dream Hampton, Liz Havstad
The documentary “Underwater Projects” highlights Norfolk, Virginia’s sinking situation. The inadequate sea wall stops where the public housing project, St. Paul’s, begins. St. Paul’s residents, mostly Black, face the threat of flooding, while Norfolk, home to the world’s largest naval base, lacks a public plan to address the issue.
Silent Partner
Narrative | 16 min | Los Angeles Premiere
Director: Aristotle Torres
Writers: Aristotle Torres, Roderick Lawrence
Producer: Roderick Lawrence
Cast: Roderick Lawrence, Kara Young, Michael Park
Silas Jones, a successful Black trial attorney, is on the verge of becoming a partner at a prestigious law firm. After defending a white woman accused of killing a Black teenager, Silas begins to question his career path and the impact on his relationship with his wife, Kosi, an accomplished professor, especially as they get ready for the firm’s celebratory event. As the evening unfolds, Silas grapples with the price of his ambition. Will he be willing to make a significant sacrifice?
Somewhere
Musical Narrative | 13 min | Los Angeles Premiere
Writer/Director: Alexander Craven
Producers: Jeff Pifher, Shane Collins
Cast: Natalie Hanna Mendoza, John Robert Hall
Elena and Cameron, torn apart by a racist incident, face a choice between standing up for their beliefs to maintain love’s connection.
About The Social Justice Now Film Festival
The Social Justice Now Film Festival presented by the Film Life Foundation showcases content that addresses racism and raises awareness of social and economic challenges impacting Black and Brown communities in the U.S. Sony Pictures is the festival’s founding sponsor.
About Film Life Foundation
The Film Life Foundation (FLF) is a non-profit established by American Black Film Festival creators Jeff and Nicole Friday. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds through film. The foundation’s initiatives revolve around social justice, education, career development, and cultural exchange. For more details, visit www.filmlifefoundation.org
About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a division of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE’s global activities span film production, acquisition, and distribution; television production and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; studio operations; and innovation in entertainment products and technologies. Sony Pictures Television oversees various wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies worldwide. SPE’s Motion Picture Group includes Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. Find more information at http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html
