It’s time to hit the road back to Hollywood to cover the The 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards. The festival celebrates the power of the storyteller with films from Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mexico and the United States of America, including “Black America Again,” directed by Bradford Young and inspired by Common’s album “Black America Again.”
Here are our picks for films to check out at the 2017 Los Angeles Film Festival:
“Liyana,” directed by Amanda Kopp and Aaron Kopp
In this epic tale, a young Swazi girl goes on a dangerous quest to save her twin brothers.
“Two Four Six,” directed by Leyla Nedorosleva
These kids are not stars. Not yet. For these extremely tall Haitian teenagers, chances at a USA basketball scholarship are higher than the possibility of a slim shot at the pros.
“Catching Feelings,” from South Africa, directed and written by Kagiso Lediga
The lives of a once-celebrated writer and his beautiful wife are turned upside down when they allow a self-indulgent famous author to reside with them temporarily.
“Moko Jumbie,” written and directed by Vashti Anderson
A young woman visiting her family’s coconut plantation in Trinidad falls for a fisherman despite political turmoil.
“Living On Soul,” directed, written and produced by Jeff Broadway and Cory Bailey
This hybrid music documentary/concert film features Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley and the rest of the Daptone Records family and was filmed during their three-night sold-out revue at the famed Apollo Theater.
“Whitney: Can I Be Me,” directed by Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal
Whitney Houston was a luminescent beauty with a transcendent voice until personal demons got the best of her in a very public way.
“Built to Fail,” directed by Bobby Kim, Alexis Spraic and Scott Weintrob
The co-founder of The Hundreds sets out to define and document one of the most elusive fashion phenomena of our times: streetwear.
“Mighty Ground,” directed by Delila Vallot
A gifted singer who is struggling with addiction on the streets of Skid Row sets out on a journey to transform his life.
“My America: To Put Your Life on the Line,” directed by Anna Jones and Asaad Kelada
Lucian, a Black artist and ride share driver, and Carmine, a retired police officer, experience the polarized political climate in the weeks leading up to the 2016 presidential election from
opposing perspectives.
“People Of… “Episode 1,” directed by lamia Alami
Society of Ambiance-Makers & Elegant People member Farel Baleketa, “Barack Obama of difficult colors,” is redefining Parisian male fashion and he doesn’t mind if you want to take a photo with him.
“Two Sentence Horror Stories: Guilt Trip,” directed by J.D. Dillard
A white woman witnesses a Black man being mistreated by the police and offers him a ride.
BKPI “Episode One,” directed by Hye Yun Park
Three badass women of color form a crime-fighting unit in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
Shorts:
“American Paradise,” directed by Joe Talbot
“Black America Again,” directed by Bradford Young
“Dear Mr. Shakespeare,” directed by Shola Amoo
“Dreaming of Baltimore,” directed by Lola Quivoron
“Goose,” directed by Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri
“Hairat,” directed by Jessica Beshir
“New Neighbors,” directed by E.G. Bailey
“Night Shift,” directed by Marshall Tyler
“Redmond Hand, Private Dick,” directed by Todd Selby
“There Goes the Neighborhood,” by Angelique Molina
“While I Was Gone,” directed by Daniel Pfeffer