From Black Power in late-60s Boston, to AIDS activism in mid-80s New York, to Marriage Equality in early-10s San Francisco, JEWELLE: A Just Vision shines a joyful and hope-filled spotlight on award-winning novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, and journalist Jewelle Gomez.

An Ioway and Wampanoag, Black and Cape Verdean, femme lesbian, Jewelle co-founded decades-old social justice organizations that are more relevant than ever. Expansive in her creative imagination, inclusive in her philanthropic leadership, and passionate in her lesbian of color feminist ethics, she is an unrelenting torchbearer for the transformative power of the artist as activist.

This intimate portrayal weaves haunting visuals, poignant images and personal papers that illuminate her cultural impact. The soundtrack draws on African American and Native American spiritual and musical traditions. It drinks deeply from a life of art and activism, and anchors Jewelle’s personal struggles at the confluence of social movements.

2008, Runtime 58mins, Location TBD

This documentary tells the little known story of Sakia Gunn, a 15 year old high school student who was fatally stabbed in 2003 in Newark, New Jersey. This story depicts the homophobia behind this brutal murder, while examining Sakia’s short but loving life and family and the world of Aggressives, (homosexual women of color who dress in masculine attire but do not necessarily identify as either lesbians or female-to-male transgender).

Producer: Charles B. Brack, CoProduced with Third World Newsreel

The Newark LGBTQ Film Festival is honored to announce Award winning film, The Inspection, will be the opening night feature for its first-ever edition of the festival, taking place April 14-16, 2023, at multiple Newark locations! The Inspection will screen on Friday, April 14, 7:15 PM at Newark Art Museum

In The Inspection, Elegance Bratton's deeply moving film inspired by his own story, a young, gay Black man, rejected by his mother and with few options for his future, decides to join the Marines. But even as he battles deep-seated prejudice and the grueling routines of basic training, he finds unexpected camaraderie, strength, and support in this new community, giving him a hard-earned sense of belonging that will shape his identity and forever change his life.

The film stars Jeremy Pope, Raúl Castillo and Aaron Dominguez, along with Bokeem Woodbine and Gabrielle Union.

In addition to The Inspection, the opening night screening will include the short film, Pink & Blue, and conclude with a panel discussion featuring local LGBTQ Veterans touching upon their

NEWARK LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL-OPENING NIGHT

5:30-7PM, Newark Art Museum

Hosted by Harmonica Sunbeam

We are pleased to be partnering with the Newark LGBTQ Film Festival brought to you by the Newark LGBTQ Community Center and the NJPAC LGBTQ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BOARD, April 14-16, 2023. It will be a weekend of impactful films highlighting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ BIPOC community. Panels, workshops and other community activations will take place throughout the weekend!

The Festival will take place at different Newark venues. For program line-up and to purchase tickets visit www.newarklgbtqcenter.org - see you there