Shorts Program: Unseen African-American Histories
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The Festival Week continues with an exciting cohort of short films. Check out our lineup below!
Enslaved African
Directed by Denise Washington (USA, 2:06).
“Enslaved African”, a Folklore honoring the emancipation of enslaved people. Written, Produced, Directed, and Performed by Denise Washington. Music Composed, Performed, Directed, Filmed, and Edited by Production Artist Akili Jamal Haynes.
Local.
Paul Cuffe Is Me
Directed by Anita Allison (USA 2026, 3:18).
Paul Cuffe Is Me is a powerful, high-energy music video that pulls late 1700's Black and Wampanoag mariner Paul Cuffe out of the shadows of history. Written and performed by RoxFilm alum, Daniel Laurent.
Local.
Between Fire & Freedom
Directed by Bentley Sweven (USA 2026, 8:42).
Chosen by the land to remember what was lost and what still fights to exist, Cathrine stands at the threshold—between fire and freedom.
Local.
A Peculiar Freedom: Portraits of Black New England 1750-1900
Directed by Nora L. Jacobson (USA 2026, 20:04).
“A Peculiar Freedom: Portraits of Black New England tells the stories of 5 free Black individuals in New England in the late 18th and 19th centuries, when white racism limited the opportunities and visibility of free Black citizens.
Local.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Directed by Ann Gennaro (USA 2025, 27:51).
This documentary offers a brief historical overview of the efforts of key religious communities and individuals whose pastoral care and leadership enabled Black Catholics in the United States—and in Boston—to build an infrastructure that fostered spaces to gather, celebrate, deepen their faith, and be seen, while contributing significantly to the life and history of the Church and Archdiocese.
Local.
Nantucket's Historic Coloured Cemetery: Stories Told by Nantucketers
Directed by Paul Sanderson (USA 2025, 36:11).
The film presents an oral history of stories told by present-day Nantucketers to help illuminate the lives of Black Civil War veterans, fugitives, abolitionists, and whaling captains interred in one of Nantucket Island’s most significant burial grounds.
Followed by:
Q&A
You can find all of the trailers of these films on our website at https://www.roxfilmfest.com/films-and-events/2026/shorts-histories. Tickets are available through the same link!
Enslaved African
Directed by Denise Washington (USA, 2:06).
“Enslaved African”, a Folklore honoring the emancipation of enslaved people. Written, Produced, Directed, and Performed by Denise Washington. Music Composed, Performed, Directed, Filmed, and Edited by Production Artist Akili Jamal Haynes.
Local.
Paul Cuffe Is Me
Directed by Anita Allison (USA 2026, 3:18).
Paul Cuffe Is Me is a powerful, high-energy music video that pulls late 1700's Black and Wampanoag mariner Paul Cuffe out of the shadows of history. Written and performed by RoxFilm alum, Daniel Laurent.
Local.
Between Fire & Freedom
Directed by Bentley Sweven (USA 2026, 8:42).
Chosen by the land to remember what was lost and what still fights to exist, Cathrine stands at the threshold—between fire and freedom.
Local.
A Peculiar Freedom: Portraits of Black New England 1750-1900
Directed by Nora L. Jacobson (USA 2026, 20:04).
“A Peculiar Freedom: Portraits of Black New England tells the stories of 5 free Black individuals in New England in the late 18th and 19th centuries, when white racism limited the opportunities and visibility of free Black citizens.
Local.
Hidden in Plain Sight
Directed by Ann Gennaro (USA 2025, 27:51).
This documentary offers a brief historical overview of the efforts of key religious communities and individuals whose pastoral care and leadership enabled Black Catholics in the United States—and in Boston—to build an infrastructure that fostered spaces to gather, celebrate, deepen their faith, and be seen, while contributing significantly to the life and history of the Church and Archdiocese.
Local.
Nantucket's Historic Coloured Cemetery: Stories Told by Nantucketers
Directed by Paul Sanderson (USA 2025, 36:11).
The film presents an oral history of stories told by present-day Nantucketers to help illuminate the lives of Black Civil War veterans, fugitives, abolitionists, and whaling captains interred in one of Nantucket Island’s most significant burial grounds.
Followed by:
Q&A
You can find all of the trailers of these films on our website at https://www.roxfilmfest.com/films-and-events/2026/shorts-histories. Tickets are available through the same link!
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Where is it happening?
621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5801, United States, 621 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5801, United States, Brookline
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherRoxbury International Film Festival
