February is Black History Month! In addition to our FREE Film in the Community screenings, celebrate with these recommendations, just a few from the RMWF catalog that tell vital stories centering Black voices.
Althea | Directed by Rex Miller | 83 mins.
This documentary follows the incredible story of tennis player, Althea Gibson. Once a truant student in Harlem, Gibson overcomes the huge obstacles in her way and the white domination of the sport, becoming what many considered the best tennis player in the world. More info and where to watch.
A New Color: The Art of Being Edyth Boone
Directed by Marlene “Mo” Morris | 56 mins.
Long before Black Lives Matter, septuagenarian Edyth Boone embodied that truth as an accomplished artist and educator. From humble Harlem roots, she pursued her love of art and her dream of someday creating a new color – “a color that no one had ever seen before.” More info and where to watch.
Homegoings | Directed by Christine Turner | 51 mins.
Through the eyes of funeral director Isaiah Owens, the beauty and grace of African-American funerals are brought to life. Filmed at Owens Funeral Home in Harlem, HOMEGOINGS takes an up-close look at the rarely seen world of undertaking in the Black community, where funeral rites are filled with of tradition, history and celebration. More info and where to watch.
Miss Sharon Jones! | Directed by Barbara Kopple | 99 mins.
If you aren’t already familiar with Sharon Jones (also known as the Female James Brown), you won’t be able to forget her after this documentary. MISS SHARON JONES! follows the life of the incomparable singer, from her beginnings as a corrections officer to her meteoric rise through the music industry her battle with cancer. More info and where to watch.
Be sure to watch this 2022 OSCAR® nominated film, THE QUEEN OF BASKETBALL, screened at the 2021 Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival.
She is one of the greatest living women’s basketball players. Three national trophies. Scored the first basket in women’s Olympic basketball at the ‘76 Olympics. Drafted to the NBA. But have you ever heard of Lucy Harris? Watch Here.
