The Art in Action documentary festival took place on June 20 at the ArtsXChange in East Point, showcasing the rich tapestry of Black voices and experiences in the community through four poignant documentaries.
The event fostered a strong sense of community among attendees, who were not only passionate about the arts but also deeply connected to one another.
One of the highlights of the night was the exploration of the ArtsXChange building, a space historically established for Black creatives to express themselves.
This legacy continues as the venue accommodates a vibrant mix of multicultural and multigenerational artistic expressions, serving as a crucial platform for social change.
Attending the festival was particularly inspiring for aspiring filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts, providing a glimpse into how local talent translates their narratives onto the screen.
The four featured documentaries were City of Kings, Just People, Say Yes to Destiny, and Rhyme Travelers.
Directed by Will Feagins Jr., City of Kings delves into Atlanta’s graffiti culture, highlighting the city’s renowned style writers against a backdrop of street art.
Feagins’ work has earned him recognition, including the 2024 Georgia Filmmaker of the Year award, showcasing the impact of his storytelling.
Just People focuses on the ReEntry Arts Connection, a nonprofit in Atlanta that utilizes art to aid formerly incarcerated individuals, helping to mitigate recidivism through creative expression.
Rhyme Travelers, directed by Ethan Payne, similarly focuses on a nonprofit called Soul Food Cypher.
This organization creates collaborative spaces for local rappers and freestylers, with the documentary featuring various artists as they share their experiences within these musical gatherings.
The documentary event also spotlighted Say Yes to Destiny, which chronicles the life of Alice Lovelace—a multifaceted artist, educator, activist, and founder of the ArtsXChange—illustrating her profound influence on the community.
Her presence at the festival underscored her status as a changemaker, revealing the transformative potential of art in shaping lives.
Each film not only demonstrated the critical role of the arts in personal and community development but also illustrated various societal themes in Atlanta that might not have been fully appreciated otherwise.
The common thread among all the documentaries celebrated the notion that art serves as a universal language, bridging gaps and connecting individuals across diverse backgrounds.
Alice Lovelace opened the festival, poignantly stating, “The arts are an important part of what makes us human…the common language that links us together.”
The festival concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Bem Joiner, featuring several filmmakers and nonprofit founders, including Will Feagins Jr., Alex Acosta, Jonathan Banks, Dr. Curtis A. King, and Garry Yates.
The panel provided insight into each participant’s creative journey, discussing the challenges faced in the independent film landscape, particularly the financial burdens artists are experiencing in Atlanta’s evolving economic scene.
Topics such as gentrification and its ramifications on the arts community were central to the discussion, pointing out that, “Atlanta is no longer a Black-majority city…They’re being pushed to the margins of the city.”
The role of organizations like South Fulton Arts and BronzeLens was emphasized, highlighting the necessity of investing in the arts amid these demographic shifts.
These groups are crucial resources that facilitate access to various arts and cultural events in Atlanta, allowing artists to thrive despite the challenges they face.
The Art in Action festival was an invaluable opportunity to emphasize the necessity of Black voices in the arts community and the importance of cultural outlets.
Events like these spark essential discussions and provide insights into Atlanta’s rich film culture, paving the way for both current and future artists to connect with their heritage.
This summer, the partnership between Atlanta Way 2.0 and SaportaReport aims to enrich the civic landscape of greater Atlanta through journalism, offering profound experiences for those involved, including valuable insights from two talented interns sharing their journeys weekly.
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