In a remarkable blend of art, history, and activism, Atlanta Pride and Out On Film have announced the REEL RESISTANCE event. Scheduled for August 1 and 2, 2025, at Agnes Scott College, the event aims to honor Southern LGBTQ+ history.
The highlight of the event will be a restored screening of Andy Warhol’s Lonesome Cowboys, commemorating the anniversary of a significant police raid during the film’s Atlanta debut in 1969. This incident is recognized as a pivotal moment that spurred Southern LGBTQ+ activism.
The summit will also feature a variety of panels, community reflections, and discussions with queer historians, artists, and advocates. Attendees will have the chance to engage in conversations that connect generations through shared experiences.
In support of budding filmmakers, a new stipend will launch designed to assist in the creation of short documentaries about LGBTQ+ resistance. Chris McCain, Executive Director of Atlanta Pride, emphasized the importance of the event by stating, “This event reminds us that queer Southerners have always organized and risen up.”
The REEL RESISTANCE initiative is backed by funding from The Community Corps and South Arts, alongside support from the National Endowment for the Arts, all aiming to ignite further advocacy through the power of art and storytelling.
In another exciting development for Georgia’s film industry, the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) has announced a new partnership with Assembly Studios to establish a workforce training center. Set to open on August 18, 2025, the 32,000-square-foot facility will be located near the Assembly Studios campus in Doraville.
The center is designed to equip students with hands-on instructions and certifications in various areas of film and television production, including post-production, live production, streaming, and esports.
Scott Votaw, Assistant Vice Chancellor of GFA, noted how this partnership provides students with invaluable access to real working sets and mentorship from industry professionals. This initiative significantly expands GFA’s statewide presence and reinforces its collaborations with major studio giants like Disney, Marvel, and Netflix.
As part of its mission, the Georgia Film Academy also offers a paid apprenticeship program, placing students directly into professional productions for hands-on experience and networking.
On a separate front, the Town Center Community Improvement District (CID) has ushered in new leadership with Britt Fleck elected as chairwoman and Michael Davis as vice chair of its Board of Directors. Fleck brings over 35 years of land and community development experience to the position, having previously held roles with Georgia Power and the Georgia Department of Driver Services.
Davis, who is the co-founder of D&G Development Group, joined the board in 2024 and is recognized for his extensive expertise in real estate, particularly in overseeing the $1 billion Avalon project.
In the realm of academia and media excellence, DW Moffett, chair of film and television at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), was honored with the prestigious 2025 Governors Award at the Southeast Emmy Awards on June 14.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast Chapter presented the award, recognizing Moffett for his significant contributions to the media industry over his four-decade-long career.
Moffett has appeared in notable television series such as “Switched at Birth,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “May December.” He joined SCAD in 2016 and has greatly influenced the curriculum and facilities available to students, including the creation of an 11-acre film backlot.
Andra Reeve-Rabb, SCAD’s dean of the School of Film and Acting, commended Moffett as a visionary who has transformed student experiences into real-world learning opportunities.
Moffett expressed his gratitude for the recognition, attributing it to his unwavering commitment to storytelling and education. His mission focuses on preparing students not just for success, but also for sustainable careers in the industry, fostering a culture of respect and professionalism.
This commitment has borne fruit, as many SCAD graduates have found success in Emmy- and Oscar-winning productions, solidifying the university’s reputation as a global leader in film education.
Another of SCAD’s initiatives, SCAD SERVE, reached unprecedented impact during the 2024/25 academic year. The community engagement program collaborated with over 60 nonprofits across Georgia, offering valuable design solutions, donated goods, and nearly $2 million in grant funding.
Students from various disciplines—such as architecture, UX, industrial design, and immersive media—contributed their skills to projects for organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Participating in the Design for Good courses, SCAD students created real-world strategies and prototypes that have been appraised at over $2 million, demonstrating the tangible impact of their efforts.
In addition to direct project involvement, SCAD SERVE operated the Buzz Bus, which provided art supplies to local schools, and facilitated end-of-year donations, resulting in over 50,000 pounds of goods given to Goodwill, and 3,000 pounds of food donated to the Salvation Army.
Scott Linzey, VP of SCAD SERVE, remarked, “This level of student commitment reflects the very heart of SCAD SERVE’s mission: using art and design to uplift, empower and inspire lasting change.”
The SCAD SERVE Community Fund awarded grants ranging from $100,000 to $1 million to support initiatives centered on housing, food, safety, and education throughout the community. Projects ranged from shelter redesigns to user-centered service models, showcasing the innovative spirit of SCAD students and their dedication to creating measurable community impacts.
In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, The Urban Advocate is poised to host its 3rd annual Summer Solstice Block Party on Friday, June 20. The event, taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Windsor Plaza in Mechanicsville, marks the commencement of a gun violence-free summer coinciding with National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Central to the event is the “Guns Down Mechanicsville” mural, which symbolizes local leadership standing against gun violence and reclaims the historically impacted Windsor and Richardson intersection.
This year’s Summer Solstice event reaffirms The Urban Advocate’s commitment to community-led efforts in healing and addressing the root causes of gun violence. DeMicha Luster, Founder of The Urban Advocate, stated, “This event re-centers our collective power to heal, reclaim space, and demand change.”
As the organization navigates the challenges posed by national funding cuts for gun violence prevention, it emphasizes solidarity with communities impacted by severe budget reductions totaling over $820 million in Department of Justice intervention programs.
Looking ahead to upcoming festivities, Lenox Square is set to host the 2025 WWAAC AsianFest on Saturday, June 21. Scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., this event celebrates the diversity and richness of Asian cultures in the mall’s Luxury Wing and is presented by the Who’s Who in Asian American Communities (WWAAC) Alliance Foundation.
This festival marks a return since its last occurrence in 2019 and promises vibrant live performances, including a Lion Dance by the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu, Indian and Thai dance performances, and captivating theatrical drumming by the Eisa Taiko Drum Group.
The gathering will feature distinguished guests, such as Georgia Supreme Court Justice Carla Wong McMillian and the Consul Generals from the Philippines and Japan. The event will culminate in a cultural fashion show highlighting traditional attire from various Asian regions, showcasing the rich heritage present within Atlanta’s communities.
General Manager of Lenox Square, Robin Suggs, expressed pride in hosting this event, stating, “Lenox Square is proud to host this celebration of Asian heritage and community.”
Upcoming music lovers have much to look forward to with the announcement of the 2025 OYE Fest, which is set to make its return on October 4, 2025. This festival will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Lot 432 and aims to spotlight Latinx voices and culture.
Headliners will include renowned Puerto Rican rapper Álvaro Diaz, the reggaeton duo Alexis y Fido, Mexican-American rapper Snow tha Product, TikTok sensation Macario Martinez, and Latin GRAMMY winner pablopablo.
OYE Fest, curated by co-founders Randall Ruiz and Margarita Rios, will emphasize themes of music, culture, and activism, while also highlighting underrepresented Afro-Latinx, queer, and women-identifying artists. The festival will actively support immigrant advocacy groups like United We Dream, reinforcing the commitment to community pride and inclusivity.
Alongside the main acts, audiences will also enjoy emerging talents like Grupo Rye, DJ EU, Lilly Yan, and more. With all ages welcomed, the one-day event offers general admission and VIP tickets, starting at $65, now available at OYEFest.com. Attendees can follow @OYE.Fest on social media for real-time updates leading up to the festival.
In literary news, the Decatur Book Festival (DBF) is gearing up for its 20th anniversary on October 3 and 4, 2025. The festival will feature keynote addresses by acclaimed authors Saeed Jones and Angie Thomas.
Angie Thomas is set to deliver the “Kidnote” address on October 3 at Agnes Scott College, where she will introduce her highly anticipated sequel, “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi.” This new work draws inspiration from African American folklore and aims to inspire a young readership.
Award-winning poet Saeed Jones will conduct the keynote at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, discussing the anthology “The People’s Project: Poems, Essays and Art for Looking Forward,” which he co-curated with Maggie Smith.
Jones expressed his enthusiasm for joining the festival, stating, “I’m honored to join DBF’s milestone. Let’s get free together!”
DBF is collaborating with local bookstores such as Brave + Kind, Charis Books, Eagle Eye Books, and Little Shop of Stories to offer a variety of free events, including Q&As, signings, and engaging activities. Registration is encouraged for the keynote and kidnote addresses to secure attendance.
These events signify a vibrant cultural landscape in Atlanta, showcasing how local communities continue to uplift, celebrate, and advocate for diverse voices through film, art, and literature.
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