Black Film Festival Coming to Three Madison Public Library Locations November 13-15

MADISON, WI - The Black Film Festival, created by the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, will be hosted within Madison Public Library locations for the first time this fall. From November 13-15, Madison residents can visit select library locations to enjoy film screenings and discussions that explore the impact and art of Black filmmaking.

"This year's fest is the most collaborative event I have ever coordinated. We are working with a co-curator, live local performing artists, a Madison filmmaker, and a notable online black creator who is showing his new documentary at our events," said Siobhan Jackson, Director of Adult Education at the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development and the lead curator for the Black Film Festival for the past several years.

Each day of the festival takes place at a different library location and is centered around a loose theme:

• Thursday, November 13 - Pinney Library (Arts & Culture Day)
• Friday, November 14 - Sequoya Library (Family Day)
• Saturday, November 15 - Central Library (Filmmaker Day)

In addition to the films shown at area libraries, there will be a special opening event held at the Fountain of Life Church (633 West Badger Road) on Wednesday, November 12 when the film Decade of Discontent will be shown. The film documents the civil rights struggles of the 1960s in Milwaukee and a panel discussion will follow the screening featuring:

• Retired Civil Rights Attorney Thomas Jacobson, who defended Milwaukee Civil Rights icons Father Groppi and comedian-activist Dick Greggory
• Dr. Christy Clark-Pujara, UW-Madison Department Chair of African American Studies
• Prof. Alexander Shashko, UW Madison Lecturer of African American Studies

The festival has been curated by staff at Nehemiah and the library to include a selection of films, documentaries, video essays, and more from national and regional voices, as well as those closer to home. Some highlights include Mufasa (2024), Fresh Dressed (2015), American Rapstar (2020), and The Great American Game (2025).

One Madison filmmaker, Rafael Ragland, will have two of his films featured on the final day of the festival at Central Library. A native of Chicago, Ragland moved to Madison in 1991 and studied film at the Madison Institute of Media in 2008 where he earned an associate's degree. He's worked in the industry since 2010, doing everything from writing and editing to directing and acting. Ragland has written and directed three stage plays, five web series, and more than 20 movies, working with individuals such as Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Ice Cube, and Cynda Williams. He will present his latest films, The Comforter (2025) and Echoes of Freedom (2025) at Central Library on Saturday, November 15 and offer a brief talkback following each screening, as well.

The other special event is the wrap party at 7pm on Saturday, November 15 featuring a musical performance by the artists of the New Gen Collective, a group led by Madison's 2024-2025 Youth Poet Laureate Justin Festge Russell aka Jexizis. This event is an opportunity for all featured filmmakers, festival organizers, and attendees to come together for a casual evening of food and fun post-event.

All events are free and open to the public, but registration for individual screenings is requested. Learn more and register for tickets on Nehemiah's website.

The Black Film Festival is made possible thanks to generous support from the Madison Public Library Foundation.