The Roxbury International Film Festival (RoxFilm), New England’s largest film festival celebrating people of color from around the globe, kicks off its 28th festival this week. Over the course of 9 days, the festival will showcase over 100 films including narrative, documentary, animated, experimental, and student-produced films. Special events will include Q&As with filmmakers, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and filmmaker hangouts.

Opening night takes place on Thursday, June 18th at 7pm at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story. The documentary, directed by Dan Egan, gives a first-hand look at the iconic groundbreaking journey and impact of Clyde Best, the first black football superstar of the modern TV Era in England. Clyde Best will be in attendance for a Q&A following the screening. 

“Senior Lunch” returns at Hibernian Hall on Tuesday, June 23 at 12:30pm. The free program for seniors features the new award winning film Pursuing Light: The Bill Strickland Story by Karen Somers,  featuring local organization New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT), preceded by Black History Begins with Love by local author Irene Smalls, and the award winning short film Ella by Nikki Taylor-Roberts. 

RoxFilm is excited to bring a signature screening this year with the film Finding Your Laughter directed by  Arlieta Hall & Brittany Alsot. The film follows Chicago comedian Arlieta Hall who is learning to use her own resources—stand up comedy and improvisation—as tools for both her own mental health and to be a caregiver for her father who is fading from Alzheimer's disease. This signature screening will take place on Thursday, June 25th at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston at 6:30pm. The film is presented in collaboration with The Wellness Collaborative and will be followed by a panel discussion. 

Also returning by popular demand is “The Daily Script Read” program, where scripts by RoxFilm alumni will be read by professional local actors. The program takes place live from 12:00pm-1:00pm, June 18-30. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear works in progress and participate in a Q&A.

“We are living at a time when stories about people of color are being erased—and that is intentional. However, independent filmmakers are ensuring these stories are told in full, nuanced, and complex ways that reflect the richness of communities of color,” says Lisa Simmons, Artistic & Executive Director of The Roxbury International Film Festival. “RoxFilm is proud to uplift and share those voices, keeping our stories visible and challenging the narratives too often shaped by mainstream media.”

The festival will close with writer-director Leon Hendrix III’s Montmartre, a romantic drama which explores Black history and love in Paris. The film screens on Friday, June 26th at 7:30pm at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

In addition, RoxFilm will continue their hybrid format with the online festival ROXFILM@Home taking place June 26th - July 2nd.

RoxFilm festival all access passes and individual tickets are on sale now. A complete list of events, screenings, and tickets will be available here. Full line-up can be seen here. For more information on the film festival, visit www.roxfilmfest.com.

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