Support The Port Foundation, Working Films & Cucalorus Presents: SupPORTalorus: Black Films For Us By Us

Support The Port Foundation Inc., Working Films, and Cucalorus joined forces to bring the community of Wilmington an entertaining and educational experience with supPORTalorus.  On Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Dreams Art Center supPORTalorus brought together the community of Wilmington with free screenings of some of the Works in Progress Documentaries that are part of this year's Cucalorus Film Festival. The documentaries were made by Black filmmakers that touched on a range of social justice issues.

The night opened up with an spectacular performance by kid sensation Kyn of KynKlub followed by three film shorts and documentaries; Blind Date by Alicia Inshiradu a native here of Wilmington, Afrophobia: The Roots of Hair Politics  by Tania Hajal, and Baartman, Beyoncé & Me by Natalie Bullock Brown. Each film followed up with an Q&A with the audience and the directors, providing input that will help to shape the final product.

Attendees won giveaways including tickets to Cucalorus festival screenings, and items donated by sponsors and vendors. The night concluded with a powerful panel discussion of influential female leaders in the Wilmington community about being a black women in today’s society.

About Afrophobia: The Roots of Hair Politics by Tania Hajal

Afrophobia is a documentary in progress about hair politics, past and present. Written & Directed by T. Hajali the film is an in-depth look at the infamous knots of hair politics - imposing straight hair on news anchors, camera talent and others throughout the media.

About Baartman, Beyoncé & Me by Natalie Bullock Brown

Baartman, Beyoncé & Me will be a feature-length documentary film that examines the historical context, and social and psychological impact of Western beauty ideals on black females. Through the stories of various black women, including the filmmaker, Baartman, Beyoncé, & Me will seek to challenge and complicate our most fundamental notions of what it means to be beautiful, examine how who is beautiful and who is not is often an imposed designation, and reclaim the power to self define. A portion of the film's journey will include exploration into how the megastar, Beyoncé both subverts and engages with American and global beauty ideals, and performs within the legacy of Sarah Baartman.

About Support The Port Foundation, Inc.

The mission of the Support The Port Foundation, Inc. is to enhance, cultivate and provide a renewed sense of community ownership and excellence for residents of Wilmington, North Carolina. Through the arts, philanthropy and scholarship, Support The Port Foundation, Inc. will increase self-ability, and foster a nonviolent environment where excellence in these three realms are celebrated and expanded.

About Cucalorus

The 22nd annual Cucalorus Film Festival and CONNECT Conference takes place November 9-13, 2016 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.
Cucalorus was founded in 1994 by the underground filmmaking collective Twinkle Doon. At the inaugural event, crowds wrapped around the block to see 16 local films screening at Water Street restaurant by the Cape Fear River. These days Cucalorus takes place every November, celebrating independent and international film for five days in historic downtown Wilmington, NC. MovieMaker Magazine has recognized it as "One of the Coolest Film Festivals in the World" for three years in a row.

About Working Films

Recognizing the power of stories to inspire and transform, Working Films builds partnerships between nonfiction media-makers, nonprofit organizations, educators and advocates to advance social justice and environmental sustainability, and support community-based change. We work with grassroots groups and NGOs to use documentaries to enhance their programs, extend their reach, and move their missions forward. We train and consult filmmakers to strengthen their community engagement. Together with issue leaders, national and state level partner organizations, we are using documentary film and visual art to reach critical audiences and move the dial toward meaningful change and impact.
 

Join The Conversation

Twitter: SupportTheePort
IG : @SupportThePort
Hashtag: #supPORTalorus
 

Special Thanks

• Dreams Art Center
• G.R.I.T.S.
• Coast 97.3
• D.O.S.E. MC
• Habitat For Humanity
• Suprena Hickman
• Qailinn Clarissa
• Katrina Harrell
• Allyah Tate
• Alicia Inshiradu
• Anna Lee
• Munazza Abraham
• Elaine Armstrong
• Tavia Spencer
• The Resource Guild
• Fu Wangs
• Raquells Salon
• Gold Beaded Jewelry

All photos by Kristen McKeithan