Festival Highlight Black ‘Films with a Purpose’

On Saturday, October 12, at Los Angeles Center Studios in California, and in conjunction with its anniversary, the nonprofit Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) presented its inaugural Faith‐based Inspirational Film Festival.

The event was held at the Los Angeles Center Studios in California, and featured “Emanuel,” the story of a white supremacists’ murder of nine African Americans at bible study. There was also a screening of “Amazing Grace,” the documentary of the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. A question and answer session with several prominent local pastors will follow each screening.

“It is critical for black filmmakers to share their talent,” says program founder, Sandra Evers‐Manly. “We must create avenues that allow people to express themselves through the arts. In my opinion, film is one of the most powerful mediums of art there is. The goal is to make sure that black artists are in an industry that is welcoming; an inclusive industry where they don’t have to fight to tell their stories. We have seen some breakthrough but still have a long way go.”