DOPE

2014 USA 115 MIN HD NY Premiere

Hosted by the Motion Picture Association of America | Courtesy of Open Road Films | Presented by Where to Watch

6/11 | 7:30 pm | SVA Theatre | SOLD OUT

6/14 | 5:35 pm | AMC EMPIRE 25

Dope is a coming-of-age comedy/drama for the post hip-hop generation; its main characters are obsessed with ‘90s hip-hop. Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is warily surviving life in “The Bottoms” in Los Angeles, while juggling college applications, academic interviews and SATs. His dream is to attend Harvard. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into a gritty adventure filled with offbeat characters and bad choices that could allow him to go from being a geek to being dope to ultimately being himself. Open Road Films will release the film nationwide on June 19, 2015.

Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa | Written by: Rick Famuyiwa | Produced by: Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi | Executive Producers: Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa, David Lonner | Co-Exec. Producers: Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. Co-Prods: Mimi Valdes, Caron Veazys | Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Iman, Quincy Brown

AN UNEXPECTED HISTORY: THE STORY OF HENNESSY AND AFRICAN AMERICANS

2015 USA 49 MIN HD World Premiere

Courtesy of Hennessy

FRI 6/12 | 6:15 PM | AMC EMPIRE 25

An Unexpected History celebrates Moët Hennessy’s hundred-year relationship with African American culture, as well as the role of African Americans in shaping the brand’s identity and success. The film recounts Hennessy’s historic role in bringing respect and opportunities to Black professionals and consumers, by focusing on the remarkable achievements of two of the brand’s most influential Black executives.

Directed by: Llewellyn Smith | Produced by: Llewellyn Smith, Annie Stopford | Featuring: Jason P. Chambers, PhD, Herbert P. Douglas Jr., Noel Hankin, Rhonda McDonald, Rodney Williams

BOXED IN

2014 USA 30 MIN HD World Premiere

SAT 6/13 | 6:30 PM | AMC EMPIRE 25

Q&A with actress and now director Tasha Smith to follow

A Black man in NYC struggles with bipolar disorder, while his girlfriend and mother learn to deal with the pain of his manic episodes and struggle for mental survival.

Directed by: Tasha Smith | Written by: Tasha Smith | Produced by: Tasha Smith, Kim Ogletree | Cast: Walter Fauntleroy, Antonique Smith, Tyra Ferrell

IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE

2015 USA 93 min

Courtesy of Walmart

FRI 6/12 | 4:10 PM | AMC EMPIRE 25

Inspired by nostalgia and a romantic idea of family legacy, hip-hop artist and songwriter Che “Rhymefest” Smith decides to purchase his childhood home on Chicago’s South Side and raise his new family in the same house where he grew up. He quickly discovers that his estranged father is a homeless alcoholic living only blocks away, and hesitantly sets out to reconnect with the man who abandoned him over twenty years ago. Soon Che finds that fatherhood is more complicated than his idealized version allowed him to believe.

Directed by: Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg | Cast: Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Brian Tillman, Donnie Smith