IU Day was a huge success!!
Please accept my and the BFCA team’s deepest thanks for your generous donations. Because of your generous contributions, the BFCA exceeded its fundraising goal. The team and I are humbled by your giving spirits and support for the very important work in which the BFCA engages. Your donations will go a long way in helping us further advance the BFCA’s mission and we will be forever grateful to each of you.
With Deep Appreciation,
Dr. Novotny Lawrence
Kathe Sandler’sA Question of Color
On April 20, we had the debut screening of the new 4K restoration of documentarianDr. Kathe Sandler’sA Question of Color(1993) at IU Cinema.IndieCollectused original elements that Sandler donated to the BFCA to restore the landmark film. Dr. Novotny Lawrence moderated the post-screening Q&A with Dr. Sandler that spanned topics such colorism, the film’s reception, and how the director’s ongoing relationships with the cast and crew have evolved sinceA Question of Color’soriginal release. IndieCollect President Sandra Schulberg joined Dr. Sandler for the screening and a tour of the BFCA.
Carrie DaileyVisits the BFCA
On April 23, we welcomed distinguished guest (and IU alum) Carrie Dailey Moore, who was on the IU campus to examine the Lilly Library’s collection of materials on her late husband, the great African filmmaking pioneer Ousmane Sembène. Ms. Dailey Moore spent time identifying subjects of photographs in our Paulin Vieyra Collection, perusing posters in the BFCA’s FESPACO Film Festival collection, and relaying memories about several Black filmmaking luminaries with whom she’d spent time.
Deborah De La Torre’s class visit
On April 17 and 22, we provided tours of the BFCA to undergraduates in LATS L-111: Introduction to Latino Film. Thank you to all who attended!
Dr. Novotny Lawrence’s class visit
On April 18, Archivist, Dan Hassoun gave a tour to Dr. Lawrence’s class, MSCH 392-F: Blaxploitation Films of the 1970s. Highlights included recently acquired Blaxploitation lobby cards, elements from the Richard E. Norman Race Filmmaking and the Black Filmmaker’s Hall of Fame Collections, and a glimpse inside the internal vault! The tour expanded upon class information and gave students the opportunity to see materials and ephemera from films they had studied during the semester. The students appreciated the opportunity and many of them shared that they plan to regularly visit and get involved with the BFCA!
Roundtable discussion with Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou
While the debate about the restitution of African heritage focuses typically on objects, a growing number of artists, filmmakers, and institutions are concerned with assessing and restoring to African audiences the African film collections housed in Western institutions. French and Beninese film programmer, curator, and independent scholar, Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou, createdRestitute African Film Archivesto contribute to the ongoing discussions and restitution initiatives. On April 22, we welcomed Dramani-Issifou for a tour of the BFCA, and the following day, she shared her work at a roundtable event titled, “From Collecting to Restituting: The Ethics of Restitution in Curating African Films.” Thanks to the Department of French and Italian, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Media School, and the Center of Excellence for their work on organizing this program.
Co-panelists:Ibee Ndaw, Coordinator of the Yennega Center, Dakar (Senegal), and IU scholarsMichael Martin, Professor of Cinema and Media Studies and Founder & Editor-in-Chief ofBlack Camera: An International Film Journal,Novotny Lawrence, Director of the Black Film Center & Archive and Associate Professor of Media Studies,Claire Fouchereaux, PhD Student in French and Francophone Studies.
Moderator:Akin Adeṣọkan, Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies and Comparative Literature
Below are photos from Farah Clémentine Dramani-Issifou’s tour of the BFCA and the Auxiliary Library Facility
Congratulationsto the 2024 Graduates!
to the class of 2024! Graduating is a wonderful achievement and wehope that every undergraduate and graduate student who earned degrees embraced and enjoyed the moment and will continue to reflect on their accomplishments. We’d also like to recognize all of the graduates that the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center honored during its Black Congratulatory Ceremony. “It was a pleasure to participate in the inspirational event and to witness the honorees’ pride, enthusiasm, and joy,” said Dr. Lawrence.
Mayall members of the class of 2024 use their education to work toward creating a warmer, safer, equitable, and just society.
Congratulations to the BFCA’s very own, Sarah Petras, who earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science! Last fall, Sarah joined the BFCA as the graduate student assistant for the Paulin S. Vierya Collection. She has been a tremendous asset to that project, and a wonderful addition to the BFCA family. Sarah, we are so very proud of you and wish you all good things in the future!
Summer Film Challenge
There are sixteen weeks between final exams and the start of Fall 2024 semester. Why not spend that time watching films? When you need inspiration, check the image below for our Summer Film Challenge prompts. Follow along with us on page 10 of thelatest issue of our zinePERFand on social media, where we’ll share what we’re watching here in the office!
A Look Ahead: Summer Events
For our friends in Indianapolis and those willing to travel for noteworthy events, here are two dates to add to your summer calendar!
June 15 – Juneteenth Celebration at the Center for Black Literature & Culture
The central branch of the Indianapolis Public Library is home to theCenter for Black Literature & Culture, which holds 10,000+ books, CDs, magazines, movies, and research tools showcasing Black history and culture. Juneteenth is signature programming at the CBLC, so it’s always packed and offers plenty of things to do and lots of people to meet. In addition to the on-site screening ofTwo Centuries of Black American Art(Carlton Moss, 1976) hosted by the BFCA, enjoy performances by CBLC Poet Laureate Januarie York, the African drummers of Siteaw Inc., and musician Jamie Johnson. NY Times Bestselling & USA Today Top 100 Author JaQuavis Coleman will be the featured speaker.
June 22 – Indiana Youth Film Festival
Filmmaker and IU alum Deonna Weatherly established the Weatherhouse Institute to provide local young creatives hands-on experience in film and video production. This year, the Weatherhouse Insititute is raising the bar with its inauguralIndiana Youth Film Festival. Spread the word and come out to support the next generation of filmmakers right here in the state of Indiana! Your #1 source for Indy’s Hood Happenings,Precious Jewelwill host. BFCA Director, Dr. Novotny Lawrence, is also scheduled to speak.
BFCA Hours Update
Due to various projects and schedules, the remainder ofMaywill be by appointment only. Please email us atbfca@IU.eduto schedule your appointment, today.
Social Media Highlights
Barkhad Abdi
On April 10, we wishedhappy birthdayto acclaimed actor Barkhad Abdi (born 1985)! Mr. Abdi burst onto the scene in his debut role as Abduwali Muse, a multi-layered, sympathetic Somali pirate leader inCaptain Phillips(2013). His portrayal earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination. In the decade sinceCaptain Phillips, Mr. Abdi has appeared in films likeEye in the Sky(2015),Good Time(2017), andBlade Runner 2049(2017), establishing himself as one of the most prominent Somali-Americans in the film industry.
