EXCLUSIVE: Pittsburgh’s Black Backside Movie Pageant (BBFF), hosted by the August Wilson African American Cultural Middle (AWAACC), has inked a curatorial partnership with LA’s Micheaux Movie Pageant for its upcoming sixth version, which runs October 27—October 29. 

Throughout this yr’s version, the competition will even honor Academy Museum head Jacqueline Stewart with its Luminary Award. Alongside her position on the Academy Museum, Stewart is a professor of Cinema and Media Research on the College of Chicago. 

Introduced by Residents Monetary Group, the BBFF will unravel over three days, that includes a collection of screenings and panels all targeted on what organizers describe as “the essence of Black life,” curated by Courtney L. Department and Noel Braham of the Micheaux Movie Pageant. 

“We take immense pride in curating the 6th edition of the Black Bottom Film Festival, while also celebrating our partnership. It is both an honor and a privilege to collaborate with the brilliant minds at the Center, led by the visionary leadership of Janis Burley,” mentioned competition curators Courtney L. Department and Noel Braham. “Their invaluable contributions to preserving the legacy of August Wilson and nurturing emerging filmmakers, in conjunction with our joint efforts with the Micheaux Film Festival, serve as a true testament to resilience, pride, and the embodiment of black cinematic excellence.” 

New additions to this yr’s competition schedule embrace a partnership with Howard College. The fest will current movies by Howard alums and graduate college students curated by professors within the movie division. Former Howard college students embrace Jenn Nkiru, Hans Charles, Bradford Younger, and Arthur Jafa. Fest sponsors Residents Monetary Group will even current the panel dialogue ‘Reel Money: Building Pittsburgh’s Movie Economic system.’ Organizers have mentioned the session will got down to discover how native trade in Pittsburgh could be elevated to match main markets resembling Los Angeles, New York Metropolis, and Atlanta.

Panelists will embrace Gregory Edwards, Dolly Grip, and Pittsburgh Movie Workplace board of administrators, Kevin M. Smith, director of Undergraduate research in broadcasting and instructing professor, College of Pittsburgh, and actor-writer Roger Smith. The session shall be moderated by Daybreak M. Keezer, government director of the Pittsburgh Movie Workplace.

Janis Burley, President of the AWAACC, mentioned: “When we started embarking on a film festival program six years ago, we knew there was endless potential to give artists a voice to share perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of Black life around the globe through film. This year, we start with the origins of Black people in front of and behind the camera with Oscar Micheaux to the future with graduate students at Howard University Film School. We are grateful to Citizens for sponsoring the 6th edition of the Black Bottom Film Festival.”