9th Annual Film Festival Promises Premieres, Panels and Dozens  of Provocative Films. April 14 – April 22, 2012

After two-years of using temporary venues and piecing together multiple locations for the festival’s film screenings, the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival (LHAAFF) comes home to their beloved Performing Arts Center! The now 97-year-old building closed in January of 2010 for 27 months of seismic and electrical upgrades. And for this, the Ninth Annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, all screenings, panels discussions and events will be held together, under one roof.  This is the very first opportunity the community will have to experience the building renovations –which are numerous and significant.

The updated 320 seat auditorium is now furnished with newly upholstered seats, 13 renovated bathrooms and a restored Grand Hall lobby area. There is new lighting, HVAC and plumbing throughout the building and the addition of an artist’s residence (with a full bath and kitchen) has been built inside the performing arts center. Digital and electrical upgrades inside the auditorium’s control booth allow for state of the art theatrical presentations, and the digital infrastructure now exists to allow for a music recording studio in the near future.

This nine day festival from April 14th – April 22nd 2012 features a powerful lineup dozens of films that include: Seattle premieres, local directors, a LGBT focus, Weekday Happy Hour Films, Ladies Night, Teen Fest, talkbacks and panel discussions. A list of films, visiting filmmakers and panels will be posted on the website www.langstonblackfilmfest.org in the coming weeks. There will be new and seasoned filmmakers in attendance, some with recent awards and accolades in tow. LHAAFF always offers a unique blend of returning filmmakers whose careers have grown as the festival has (Alrick Brown, Ava Duvernay, Charles Officer, Joe Doughrity).

Each year this festival sparks memorable and provocative discussions from across the aisle and across neighborhoods.

This annual African American Film Festival is expected to draw over 2,500 people passionate about creating and appreciating films by and about Black people in the world. The festival spotlights dozens of feature-length and short films by independent filmmakers, and the rare opportunity to chat face-to-face with filmmakers, industry professionals and Seattle leadership. Tickets are $5 for Youth under 16 and Seniors and $8 for Adults. The All-Access Langston Pass is $50. All film details, including show times, locations and ticketing information are available at www.langstonblackfilmfest.org or by calling 206-326-1088.

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center™ (LHPAC) is located at 17th and Yesler and 2012 marks its  40th year as a thriving performing arts center for the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.  A grand opening event for the community is currently scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2012.  This celebration will involve free family events during the day and a gala for that evening.

The African American Film Festival is supported by Comcast, Seattle Parks and Recreation, 4 Culture, and a host of local businesses and organizations. The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival gives Northwest audiences a chance to view a diverse array of irreverent, poignant, provocative films on topics such as youth, politics, history, social justice and relationships.

About the Langston Hughes African American Film Festival ™:

The Langston Hughes African American Film Festival ™   is a Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center ™ program. The Festival began in 2004 as a weekend series, and has grown to 9 days of film, workshops, filmmaker events and community celebrations.  Films are selected from entries screened by panels, and curated from current and vintage offerings worldwide. The  festival, grounded in community capacity building and collaborative ventures, features panel discussions, readings, matinee screenings for middle/high school youth and audience ‘talk-backs’ with filmmakers, industry professionals and community leaders.  The festival is known for finding positive, provocative, penetrating independent film created by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world and in our own back yard.

The 2012 Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Film Festival™ Program Coordinator is Karen Toering and Zola Mumford returns as the Festival Curator. Each year dedicated crews of passionate film festival volunteers help bring the film festival to life in our communities.

About History of Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center™
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center™ celebrates, nurtures presents and preserves African American performing arts, cultural wealth and legacies. Established in 1969 LHPAC’s facility was acquired under the model Cities Urban Renewal program. In 1972 LHPAC began its formal relationship with Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Named for the prolific African American artist Langston Hughes, LHPAC adds the African and the Black Diaspora arts creativity to the greater Seattle artistic landscape.  LHPAC has been a consistent locale for traditional and emerging performing art forms; local, national and global.  It is a place where community is created, powerful and authentic connections are developed, and dynamic art is presented by and for generations.