The 10th Annual African American Film Festival

“Sing Your Song” is the theme of the 10th Annual African American Film Festival, taking place Thursday through Sunday at the Southampton Arts Center on Jobs Lane. Presented by the Southampton African American Museum, this is a seminal year for an event that has brought the richness of diversity to the cultural landscape of the East End.

The AAFF will kick-off tomorrow at 6:30 PM with the East End premiere of the stage play Martin, Malcolm and Me by writer/director J.D. Lawrence, followed by a Q&A.

Friday will embody this year’s theme of “Sing Your Song” with spoken word/live jazz performances by R&B singer Cheryl Pepsii Riley, HBO Def and Grammy Award Poet J Ivy, Dynamic Grammy Award singer/songwriter Tarrey Torae, the jazz quartet Charles Certain and Certain Moves.

Saturday will feature four remarkable films celebrating iconic artists that help change both the artistic and political landscape of America including Soundtrack For A Revolution, Marvin Gaye: What’s Goin On, Half Past Autumn: The Life and Work of Gordon Parks, and All Me: The Life and Times of Winfred Rembert.

Sunday continues this year’s theme with two films about two legendary performers, Marley a film about reggae innovator Bob Marley and Bessie, a film about blues queen Bessie Smith. However, the day’s screening opens with a tribute to civil rights activist Julian Bond who passed away in August of this year, with Julian Bond: Reflections from the Frontlines of the Civil Rights Movement.

All films at the festival are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, however the final film Bessie is open to the public and payable by only a donation to the Southampton African American Museum at the door.

Packages are also available. Donate $150 to the Southampton African American Museum and get an exclusive invite to the VIP Wine and Cheese Reception on Saturday plus enjoy guaranteed admission to all film screenings and the Spoken Word and Live Jazz performance on Friday.

Donate $100 to the Museum for guaranteed admission to all film screenings plus the Spoken Word and Live Jazz performance on Friday.

For tickets please call Nancy Stevens-Smith 631-428-1857 or Joann Humble 631- 764-4792. For more information visit www.southamptonafricanamericanmuseum.org.