Sundays In July
Hayti Film Next Level is pleased to present award-winning SUNDAYS IN JULY, the directorial debut of athlete turned filmmaker, Joseph E. Austin II.
The online screening begins Friday, January 14th @ 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday, January 16th @ 11 p.m.
A conversation with the director will follow the screening where he’ll break down the making of the film.
Hayti Film Next Level’s January offering is available only online. For tickets, visit haytifilmnextleveljanuary.eventive.org/schedule.
About SUNDAYS IN JULY
When fiercely independent Monika moves back to New York from Los Angeles, determined to make it this time completely on her own,
the last thing she ever expected was to meet Trent with an open heart and open arms.
SUNDAYS IN JULY takes an intimate look at two lovers navigating the minefield of their egos, fears,
and flaws to dive into the most foreign and uncharted territory- true love.
Hayti Film Next Level – December 2021 Films
This month’s films speak to innovation and Black excellence, so in December we’re partnering with Provident 1898!
Provident1898 is a coworking hub for entrepreneurs located in The Tower at Mutual Plaza, the re-imagination of one of Durham’s most historic landmark buildings. Founded in 1898, The North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association (later named North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co.) established itself as the cornerstone of what would become the world famous “Black Wall Street” in Durham, NC. It is on these hallowed grounds that the Provident1898 story begins and where another chapter of entrepreneurship and innovation will be written.
In association with Hayti Film Next Level series and Provident 1898, we present three films:
THE SLEEPING NEGRO + Colder
In The Sleeping Negro, a young black man, simply identified as “Man,” must resolve the personal meaning of his blackness when his white boss orders him to commit fraud to benefit the corporation. Struggling with an overwhelming sense of shame for going through with the illegal demand, Man seeks consolation by discussing his unease with a black former friend and his white fiancé. Those conversations lead only to further confusion and frustrations… Following on the footstep of the LA Rebellion filmmakers, Skinner Myers tells a very personal and intimate Black story in a radically non-traditional cinematic style as a means to express freely his feelings as a Black man in America.
“A superb character study of a black man, how he sees himself and how he was treated by society, it is surreal yet real and terrifying.” ~ Ulkar Alakbarova, moviemovesme.com
Written/directed by and starring Skinner Myers.
Also catch North Carolina native, Joy T. Lane’s short film Colder: Jerry, a depressed and angry grandfather, reluctantly babysits his grandson, Mickey, while his wife Rita goes to the store for beer. Jerry comes to regret it when the seemingly innocent Mickey proves to be a quick study in his overbearing bullying ways.
AILEY
Alvin Ailey was a trailblazing pioneer who found salvation through dance. AILEY traces the full contours of this brilliant and enigmatic man whose search for the truth in movement resulted in enduring choreography that centers on the Black American experience with grace, strength, and unparalleled beauty. Told through Ailey’s own words and featuring evocative archival footage and interviews with those who intimately knew him, director Jamila Wignot weaves together a resonant biography of an elusive visionary.
You’ve got options! Either head to the socially distant screenings at Provident 1898 on December 10th and 11th, or screen one of the films virtually in the comfort of your own home.
PLEASE NOTE:
To minimize exposure to COVID-19 for patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers, Provident 1898 will be requiring the following;
Hayti Film Next Level – November 2021 Films
Hayti Film Next Level offers films that both speak to our community and promotes new and established talent. The Legend of Doon Ra, Tora Mkandawire Marten’s Martha & Niki, and Alexandre Rockwell’s Sweet Thing will be presented on the second weekend of November 2021. Screenings will take place in the Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center, located at 804 Old Fayetteville Street Durham NC 27707. While Sweet Thing and The Legend of Doon Ra are available both in-person and online, Martha & Nikiwill screen in-person only. Registrations are open for November offerings at haytifilmnextlevelnovember.eventive.org.
To minimize exposure to COVID-19 for patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers, the Hayti Heritage Center will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 48-hours of the screening. Wearing face masks covering the nose and mouth as well as social distancing are required. The Hayti Heritage Center undergoes increased cleaning procedures before and after all performances, events, and activities.
In 2010 Martha Nabwire and Niki Tsappos took part in the biggest international Street Dance Competition, Juste Debout in Paris. It was the first time ever two women became World Champions in Hip Hop. This documentary film depicts their love of dance, each other and about friendship put to the test. http://www.marthaniki.com
Sweet Thing is a soulful, uplifting, but also heartbreaking look at race and poverty’s impact on childhood. This fictional story revolves around two siblings and their struggle to find solid ground in the homes of their alcoholic father and negligent mother. https://www.sweetthingmovie.net
In The Legend of Doon Ra, a lone Zobrak in a dangerous galaxy must make a choice that will determine his fate forever.