Reel Sisters Section C - Ancestral Rhythms

In celebration of Reel Sisters 28th Anniversary Season, we present an afternoon of films by women of color from across the globe. For our festival schedule for Oct. 25-26 visit www.reelsisters.org.

Reel Sisters Section C - Ancestral Rhythms | Oct. 25, 2025 | 4 pm-5:05 pm

She Island

Director: Raven Irabor, SIRA Marissa Lewis

Writers: Kadia Blagrove, Dylan Braud, Olivia Jade Khoury, Andrea Knowles

Producers: Raven Irabor, D'Andre Wilson, Miesha Miller, Ashley Laird

Experimental, 16 min.

She Island is an enchanting and experimental film that weaves together folklore, history, and mysticism to tell a powerful story of resilience and cultural reclamation. Set on the fictional Caribbean island of She Island, where women reign supreme and cultural syncretism flourishes, the narrative is inspired by the folkloric character LaDiabless and navigates themes of hybridity, sisterhood, tradition, ritual, preservation, wisdom, and mysticism.

Boil the Cabbage

Director: Candace Mae Williamson Producers: Kaylee Hayes, Jemina Garcia

Doc., 24 min.

Candace is a documentary filmmaker and novice banjo player. As she learns her first tune, “Boil That Cabbage Down,” she reaches out to historians, activists, and storytellers to uncover the complex history of the banjo. Through her journey, we are transported to the past, where the painting “The Old Plantation” is reimagined, revealing the instrument's origins.

Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps

Directors: Shellée M. Haynesworth, Michelle Parkerson

Producer: Shellée M. Haynesworth

Doc., 15 min.

Camille A. Brown: Giant Steps follows 4-time Tony-nominated choreographer, director, and educator Camille A. Brown (Hell’s Kitchen, GYPSY) as she elevates the possible with bold explorations of everyday movement and African Diasporic dance.

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