UDC Firebird Film Festival
The mission of the Firebird Film Festival is to be innovative educationally and to encourage social, cultural, economic and political awareness among the UDC student body and D.C. community. By showcasing a variety of films to a diverse audience, we hope to inspire unity and enlightenment.
*Food will be served to all REGISTERED guests.
The film festival is FREE and open to the public.
Wednesday, October 30th:
Business Luncheon: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
VIP Reception: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Boss: The Black Experience in Business, Movie Starts 7:00 PM-7:30 PM | Panel Discussion and Q&A 9:35 PM – 9:55 PM| Location: UDC Student Center
To kick off the first night of the film festival, we dive into what wealth in the community embodies. We will present the film, Boss: The Black Experience in Business, and have a panel of documentary participants and SME’s to discuss the themes of the documentary. Boss: The Black Experience in Business highlights the entrepreneurial drive and business acumen of African Americans in America. The film examines African Americans who, from the country’s earliest days, have embodied the qualities of innovation, risk-taking, and determination to forge a path toward a better life. The film features the stories of entrepreneurs Madam C.J. Walker, John H. Johnson, Berry Gordy, Cathy Hughes, Vernon Jordan, and many more.
Thursday, October 31st: Tell Them We Are Rising, Movie Starts 3:30 PM-4:55 PM | Panel Discussion and Q&A 5:10 PM – 5:50 PM | Location: UDC Student Center
On the second day of the festival, we take a look at educational equity to examine the resources needed to promote wealth building, and the disparate impact that educational inequity has on communities of color, and other communities with a history of being oppressed in society. The documentary, Tell Them We Are Rising, tells the history of how the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were necessary to combat societal resistance toward equal opportunity in education. It also looks at the current state of HBCUs and the path forward. Tell Them We Are Rising captures this important history to tell the dynamic story of Americans who refused to be denied a higher education, and in their resistance, created a set of institutions that would influence and shape the landscape of the country for centuries to come.
Friday, November 1st: Richard Wright School Student Shorts 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM |Chocolate City, Movie Starts 6:05 PM- 6:45PM | Panel Discussion and Q&A 6:55 PM – 8:15 PM |Location: UDC Student Center
The third day’s theme is “Inequality and the Struggle for Wealth Equity in America.” We will have the Richard Wright Public Charter School show their student film shorts concerning the impact of gentrification and income inequality on long standing communities of color in Washington, D.C. Then we will show the documentary, Chocolate City, which shows the personal and policy impacts of rapid gentrification and highlights the growing income gap in the District. We will end with a panel of subject matter experts and community groups as well as the director of the documentary to discuss the theme of the film.
Saturday, November 2nd: Talk to Me, the Story of Petey Greene | Talent Show 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Movie Starts 5:00 PM-7:00 PM | Panel Discussion and Q&A 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM | Open Mic 7:45-8:15 PM Location: UDC Student Center
We celebrate the “Wealth of a Culture” theme on the last day of the Film Festival, spotlighting the strength, resiliency, and creativity of our communities. The evening starts with a talent show featuring selected musical, lyrical, and visual artists. The film of the evening is Talk To Me: The Story of Petey Greene, a local and national radio personality who contributed to the culture of the District with award-winning shows. He encouraged, as well as exemplified, resiliency in the city during the civil rights era and the unrest caused by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. After the Q&A, we will have an Open Mic to let the community to express themselves in their chosen format.