Reel Sisters presents I Own Me: the Spirit of Resistance & Rebirth

Reel Sisters presents I Own Me: The Spirit of Resistance & Rebirth, a collection of short films honoring women leaders and the spirit of resistance, rebirth and healing. Untold stories about important historical and community leaders are celebrated in our showcase. From Reimagining Queen Nanny of the Maroons to Angola's Queen Nzinga in Before 1619: She Took Justice, each film addresses the power to rise above oppression and injustice to rebirth a new future for generations to come.

The program will be held on May 22, 2025, 6:30 pm at Riverside Church, 91 Claremonth Ave. (121 St). Tickets: $7 (plus Eventbrite fees).

The program is funded, in part, by the West Harlem Development Corporation, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, Concil members Crystal Hudson (CD 35) and Farah Louis (CD 45).

FILM SHOWCASE

Rock Island Pr*son 1864

narrative, 6:49 min.

Producer/Director: Joy Shannon

Guarding Confederate POWS in a Civil War Pr*son, a runaway slave now Union soldier, desperately fights for power, or faces returning to slavery. Inspired by a true story.

Reimagining Queen Nanny of the Maroons

32 min., documentary

Producers: Leo R. Douglas

Directors: Leo R. Douglas and Udemba McleanWriters: Leo R. Douglas and Marcia Douglas

Drawing on African spiritualism in which nature itself is sacred, and West African cultures where women are traditional leaders and the female-form is commonly ecologically deified, the “Reimagining Nanny” Project retelling of the story of Queen Nanny, national heroine of Jamaica, as a shaman of the forests, healer, priestess and protector of the springs and watersheds, and commander of energies of the earth, creatures, mountains and valleys of the Blue and John Crow Mountains of Jamaica.

Before 1619: She Took Justice29:58 min., documentary

Producer: Gloria Browne-Marshall, The Law and Policy Group, Inc.

Director: Bobby John Field

Journey to Angola and discover the feats of an extraordinary African warrior Queen who fought European invaders in the 1660s and her powerful connection today.

Host or Publisher African Voices Magazine