The Crossroads Black Film & Culture Festival Returns

This spring, Crossroads will honor the invaluable contribution of Black filmmakers to the art of cinema with the Black Film & Culture Festival. Organized by the Crossroads Equity & Justice Institute, the festival is a revival of the School’s 1990 African-American Film Festival. This year’s program will showcase the work of renowned filmmaker and Crossroads parent of alumni Michael Schultz P’91. 

“We’re so proud to bring this celebration of Black filmmaking back to our community and to have the opportunity to spotlight Michael Schultz’s work,” said Equity & Justice Institute Director Cassandra Chase. “The festival has deep roots in Crossroads’ history and came together as a collaboration between the Equity & Justice Institute, Crossroads alumni, parents of alumni, faculty and current students.”

The 1990 festival was developed by the Crossroads African American Parent Student Network (AAPSN). Established in 1989, the group’s purpose was to support Black students and families at Crossroads and promote an inclusive perspective in the School’s curriculum and student experience. The film festival was one of many events they organized over a five-year period.

Michael Schultz was a founding member of the AAPSN while his son, Brandon Schultz ’91, was a student at Crossroads, and he was one of the organizers of the 1990 African American Film Festival. Schultz had become well-known during the 1970s for making films that blended comedy and social commentary, including “Honeybaby, Honeybaby,” “Cooley High,” “Car Wash” and “Which Way Is Up?” Since that time, he has directed numerous films and television programs, most recently working on the NBC hit series “Found” and two of Warner Bros.’ highest-rated shows, “All American” and “All American: Homecoming.”

 

This year’s festival features screenings of three of Schultz’s films: “Cooley High,” “The Last Dragon” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” In addition to the films, each evening will present related programming:

February 29

Cooley High (1975)

Opening night mixer and talk with Michael Schultz, co-sponsored by the Crossroads student groups Black Student Union, Women in Film and the Film Club. 

March 20 

The Last Dragon (1985)

Post-screening discussion about the movie’s classic ’80s soundtrack and the impact of music in film.

April 23

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)

Live musical performance by Crossroads students. 

For times, locations and further details, please click here.