It’s time again for one of my favorite annual cultural events that we do in this city. The Houston Cinema Arts Festival is just around the corner and once again has a very interesting and diverse array of talent. There is a full lineup of films, guest artists, live performances and interactive elements, beginning on November 14 thru 18, being shown in 10 cultural venues around the city…….threading all of Houston’s arts through film, curated by its new on the scene, artistic director, Jessica Green. It should be noted that like the city in which this is taking place, diversity is on the forefront as you look at the listing of participating talent……the numbers speak for themselves but of the 34 films being viewed, 24 are by women filmmakers, 12 are by Texas filmmakers…..7 Black, 7 Asian and 5 Latinos.
This year’s festival will be dominated by three themes: The Yeehaw Agenda, Moonlanding 50 and their perennial arts-themed programming.
About the Themes…
The Yeehaw Agenda: Coined by Dallas-based internet activist Bri Malandro this is a cultural movement that has taken the country by storm. The Yeehaw Agenda is a celebration of rodeo riders, cowboys and westerns….with a focus on diverse representation. As the most diverse city in the world and home to the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo, YA will serve as a thematic focus of HCAF19 and include a rare screening of the cult 1972 documentary, Black Rodeo.
Moonlanding 50: Since July 20, 1969 when Apollo 11 touched down on the surface of the moon, the legacy of the moon landing has become intertwined with the power of storytelling and narrative as much as it has scientific exploration, inquiry and invention. The moon landing is also uniquely part of the city of Houston’s legacy and its “Space City” identity. Again, this theme, apparent in many of the film selections, is appropriately dominant in HCAF19.
About Opening Night…
Opening night at MFAH: A Houston homecoming for celebrated filmmaker Trey Edward Shults who will screen his highly acclaimed, Waves, on Thursday evening at its Houston Premier. Shults will be joined after the film in conversation with HCAS board member, by legendary hip-hop artist and Rice lecturer, Bun B. The opening night film will be followed by an after-party at the MFAH with ethnomusicologist Flash Gordon Parks.
Below are highlights of a small selection of films, please visit the HCAS19 website here for full schedules and details of each film being presented……
Waves....Opening Night film; set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida, features an astonishing ensemble of award winning actor, including Sterling K. Brown, Reneé Elise Goldsberry and more
