
"You write in order to change the world… The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way a person looks or people look at reality, then you can change it."
James Baldwin's faith in the power of art inspire us still. The faculty and staff at Film at Mason believe in this power and in using our art -- filmmaking -- to tell stories that matter. Moreover, we believe in our artists, who can change the world. Our mission statement speaks to our commitment: "Film at Mason is a community of cinematic storytellers that fosters creativity, analysis, and diverse perspectives, professional practice and socially conscious filmmaking."
Today, we send our condolences to the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, Sandra Bland, and the countless other victims of police brutality and racist violence. We are also encouraged by the current -- ongoing, resilient -- movement.
Black Lives Matter.
The way forward is at once clear and complicated, premised on protest, education, and communication. The way forward is also premised on the past, a past from which we can learn even as we resist it. As Baldwin asserted, "History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history." History, like art, like filmmaking, and like the future, is a process. That process must be inclusive and intentional, educational, empathetic, and self-aware. That process is our present, and it will be our work and our commitment in the days, weeks, and years to come.
Campus Resources
If you seek help or counseling during this stressful time, please contact:
Selected VFS Filmmakers and Films
(Click names for VFS event pages)
Khalik Allah, Field Niggas (2015), with Ann Hornaday. See film on Criterion Channel
See also Black Mother (Khalik Allah 2019) Stream film on Amazon Prime
Stefon Bristol, See You Yesterday (2019), with Nikyatu Jusu. Stream film on Netflix
Effie Brown, CEO, Gamechanger Films (2020), with Lisa Thrasher. See VFS conversation here
Hans Charles, 13th (Ava DuVernay 2016) Stream film on Netflix
Chico Colvard, Black Memorabilia (2019), with Kevin Sampson. Stream documentary on Vimeo
Chico Colvard, Family Affair (2010) Stream film on Amazon Prime
blair doroshwalther, Out in the Night (2014), with Giovanna Chesler. Stream film on Amazon Prime
Luchina Fisher, Mama Gloria (2020), with Yvonne Welbon. Official website
Sabaah Folayan, Whose Streets? (2017) Stream film on Netflix
Melissa Haizlip, Mr. SOUL! (2020), with Hans Charles. See PBS site
Thomas Allen Harris, Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People (2014) Stream film on YouTube
David Heilbroner, Kate Davis, Say Her Name: Sandra Bland (2018) Stream on Amazon Prime
Sacha Jenkins, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men (2019), with Hans Charles. See VFS conversation here, and see Showtime site here
Hank Jones, Hollywood TV Writing (2021), with Peter Kimball
Christelle Matou, Designer, with May Santiago. See VFS conversation here.
Darius Clark Monroe, Evolution of a Criminal (2014), with Wendi Manuel-Scott. Stream film on YouTube
Pete Nicks, The Waiting Room (2012), with Ann Hornaday. Stream film on YouTube
See also The Force (Pete Nicks 2017) and Homeroom (Pete Nicks 2021)
Jason Osder, Let the Fire Burn (2013) Stream on AppleTV
Yoruba Richen, The New Black (2012), with Giovanna Chesler. Stream film on Amazon Prime
RaMell Ross, Hale County This Morning, This Evening (2019), with Bernie Cook. See VFS conversation here
Karen Ruckman, In Lorton's Darkroom (2016) Official webpage