There is a lot happening in Detroit’s neighborhoods, much of which many don’t get to see.
The City of Detroit and ARISE Detroit! are working together to fix that. They are partnering for a free one-day Neighborhood Film Festival, spotlighting people and organizations working to improve the city’s neighborhoods.
The festival will feature three short documentaries, including one 2018 Emmy winner, produced by The Neighborhoods, and the ARISE Detroit! documentary, “The City The Heart The Hope.”
The festival will be held from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at the Bel Air Luxury Cinema, 10100 Eight Mile Road in Detroit.
The neighborhoods videos are produced by the City of Detroit Neighborhoods program, under the direction of Aaron Foley, the city’s chief storyteller.
The three videos include a look at the Lyricist Society, an alternative music program that teaches young men how to express themselves. The story of the Lyricist Society, directed by City of Detroit videographer Jeremy Brockman, earned a regional Emmy award this month.
The other two videos are the Detroit Parent Collective, a new co-working/education space on the city’s west side, and the story of a young boxer on the east side of Detroit pursuing a youth boxing championship through a program at Matrix Human Services.
The ARISE Detroit! documentary, released last December, has drawn acclaim for its portrayal of grassroots Detroiters working to forge an inclusive city comeback.
It includes interviews with faith-based and foundation leaders and community neighborhood champions.
“We think there is a great fit between the documentary and the City of Detroit neighborhood videos,” says Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! “Our hope is to move the neighborhood festival to different locations around the city to showcase the hard work and loyalty of many Detroiters.”
Brockman, City of Detroit videographer Zachary Cunningham and ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith will be available for a question-and-answer session with the audience after the showing.
Registration for the event is free. To register, please click here or register at arisedetroit.org.