Film showings are grouped by program themes, and some films will be followed by audience discussions. The tentative list of themes for 2005 includes:

• The Sweet Flypaper of Life: Resilience, Black Life, History, and Activism (includes documentaries such as Bringin’ In Da Spirit, about the history of Black women midwives; political activism; and important historical figures)
• How Many Ways to Be Black? (Afro-Germans and other Blacks living outside the United States; the late, renowned lesbian poet Audre Lorde; light/dark skin issues within the Black community)
• Diversity & the Diaspora, Music & Culture / Black is Still Beautiful -1970’s-themed Films (a repeat showing of last year’s festival favorite, Afropunk: the Rock n’ Roll Nigger Experience; the vintage documentary Black Panther, and other films)

This event is for audiences of film fans interested in seeing film & video work from a variety of fresh and engaging perspectives and narrative styles. The Langston Hughes building provides a friendly and intimate setting for new and old films.

Founded in 1972, the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center is the artistic and cultural hub for Seattle's ethnically diverse Central District neighborhood, which has been the heart of Seattle’s African-American population for decades. Named after the famed Harlem Renaissance poet, novelist, playwright and essayist, Langston Hughes strives to be one of Seattle's premier performing arts centers.

A nationwide call for film and video submissions is now open. The deadline is February 4, 2005. Categories are: drama, animation, children’s/youth films, lesbian/gay, documentary, and art films & videos about African American life and culture. Suggested length for submissions is 60 minutes or less. Filmmakers interested in submitting work, please send a preview copy and $10 submission fee to the postal address shown below.

Acceptable preview formats are: VHS, DVD, CD-ROM. Sorry, but we cannot return submissions; please include a self-addressed, postage paid envelope or other mailer if you would like your work samples returned. Deadline: February 4, 2005.

The Langston Hughes Center looks forward to welcoming audiences to the film festival!