Oklahoma History Center to host Black Heritage Film Festival

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Historical Society’s Black Heritage Committee will present an African American film festival and workshop at the Oklahoma History Center on Saturday, Feb. 9, from noon to 5 p.m.

The event will feature Oklahoma filmmakers and films pertaining to the Sooner State. The festival is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

The majority of the films that will be showcased are inaugural efforts by Oklahomans interested in the state’s African American history. At 2:30 p.m., writer and producer Robert Burch from OETA and ShIronbutterfly Ray of Muskogee’s Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival will lead a discussion for amateur filmmakers on the process of documentary production. Moderated by Joyce Jackson, publisher and editor of Shades of Oklahoma magazine, the workshop will focus on the resources available to filmmakers and how to submit a documentary for inclusion in film festivals.

Featured films include “Celebrating the Lady: 2nd Street, the Making of the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival,” by Harold Jones; “Forest Anderson: The Black Oklahoma Millionaire,” by David P. Lee; “Douglass High School: A Legacy of Striving for Excellence,” by Stanford White; “From Dunjee to Star Spencer,” by Willie Baker; “And They Called Us Colored,” by Dr. Tonya Anderson; “Where the Legends Went,” by Oscar D. Ray; and never-before-seen films of late Langston University historian-in-residence Currie Ballard, presented by Bruce Fisher. After each showing the filmmaker will be available for questions from the audience.

The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications, the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.