International Gullah Film Festival gets under way in Georgetown

The opening weekend of the 2022 International Gullah Film Festival will feature a full slate of events, highlighted by a screening of “Freedom of North Carolina,” director James Jones Jr.’s new film. 

The TIGFF, which runs from April 1-16, will kick off with an opening reception and networking event at the Access Alliance Insurance Group Office at 6 p.m., followed by the screening of “Freedom of North Carolina” at The Howard Auditorium on Front Street in historic Georgetown. Jones will be in attendance.

Chronicling the story of a family enslaved on a Hoperville Plantation, the film focuses on the daily struggles of a 14-year-old girl and the emotional rollercoaster the family must endure. 

On April 2, the TIGFF will move to Black River Cypress Preserve in Andrews where a VIP Network Panel Discussion (6 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.) will be followed by the screening of several short films. The following movies will be screened: 

Glory Mountain, directed by Felicia Rivers

Fevered Dreams, directed by L.M. Davis

Requiem For Black Love, directed by Eric Almond 

Sweet Home Alabama: A Chief And His Protege, directed by Frederick Murphy

Hello Yesterday, directed by Imole Ladipo

The viewing schedule for the rest of the TGIFF is as follows:

April 4

The Howard Auditorium, 10 a.m. 

Senior Screening

The Nine O’Clock Whistle

Afrikan By Way of American 

54 Years Late

Judge Yancey And The 17 Hand Mule

April 5

The Howard Auditorium, 7 p.m. 

Business Incubator

Radio Theatre For Your Soul

My Skin Is Not A Sin

The Adventures Of A Black Traveler

Borders And Frontiers Of Gender

April 9

The Howard Auditorium, 10 a.m.

Vendor Village

The Hurt We Share

Something’s Off

The Gratitude House

AKA The Winner

The Knell

Karla’s Magic Soul

Justin And The Werloobee

On/Off

Hatsheput

9 Wives

The First Queen 

April 15

The Howard Auditorium, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Marylin Hemingway Presentation

Minnesota: The Modern Day Selma

Not Fair

The Return Of Us

The Day I Had To Grow Up

Valentine’s Night

Amuka

April 16

The Howard Auditorium, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

Gullah Preservation Society Closing Finale

TIGFF will also have a virtual program sponsored by Filmocracy.com. A slate of 17 short films and documentaries will screen along with professional presentations and an excerpt reading of “Root Magic” followed by a Q&A with author Eden Royce on April 9 at 4 p.m.

Tickets for the TIGFF are $25. 

For more information on the Gullah International Film Festival, visit www.TIGFF.org. 

By Chris King for South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®