Film Showing

Trace the Line is a feature length film about two young artists in the Midwest, a black man and a white woman, a poet and a painter. It depicts their lives as they try to understand the world that we are in now, especially as it relates to isolation, connection, and race relations. 

The filmmakers will show exclusive behind the scenes photos and clips with audience members ahead of the public release of the film. A Q&A discussion will give attendees the opportunity to reflect on how these themes are reflected in our local community.

Bravebird has been on the forefront of diverse and equitable filmmaking since 2018. During the pandemic “pause,” Alex had a vision of a story come to him. This seed of an idea resulted in a COVID-compliant film, Trace the Line, that had the dual purpose of supporting artists who lost their work and reflecting on the shared experience of 2020. 

Program Description:

Join us for a viewing and facilitated discussion of the award-winning documentary series by California Newsreel. RACE—The Power of an Illusion is a provocative three-hour series that questions the very idea of race as biology. Scientists tell us that believing in biological races is no more sound than believing the sun revolves around the earth. So if race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from? And why should it matter today?

Program Description:

Join us for a viewing and facilitated discussion of the award-winning documentary series by California Newsreel. RACE—The Power of an Illusion is a provocative three-hour series that questions the very idea of race as biology. Scientists tell us that believing in biological races is no more sound than believing the sun revolves around the earth. So if race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from?

Program Description:

Join us for a viewing and facilitated discussion of the award-winning documentary series by California Newsreel. RACE—The Power of an Illusion is a provocative three-hour series that questions the very idea of race as biology. Scientists tell us that believing in biological races is no more sound than believing the sun revolves around the earth. So if race is a biological myth, where did the idea come from? And why should it matter today?

We invite community members of the Monona and Madison area to join us for an afternoon with Michael Johnson, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to celebrate local Black History. As Michael emphasizes, "Sometimes we focus so much on slavery and the civil rights movement that we forget to share accomplishments achieved by African Americans in our own backyard." Michael will share his documentary, "A History of Black Madison" developed in partnership with Boys and Girls Club of Dane County and Madison365, and will discuss three key figures of Black History in the area.

 This event will start out with Outrider’s 7 minute film When the Earth Moves and continue the talk stating why it was done, and how it contextualizes the past, present, and future of environmental action.

The historical roots of African American oppression run deep, as Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th reveals.

This event will feature remarks from five artists who will be present: Jerry Butler, Jerry Jordan, Linda Mathis Rose, Henry Hawkins and Freida High Tesfagiorgis.  They will share their art, its connections to African American history and culture, and their partnership with UMOJA.  The event will feature a performance of Lift Every Voice by Pam Soward and a short movie about the history of UMOJA and its founder, Ms. Milele Chikasa Anana.  A dinner reception will feature African American food from local African American caterer, Ruthie’s Chili Spot.

A screening of the film Almost Sunrise: Hope is on the Horizon. Emmy Nominated in 2018 for Outstanding Current-Affairs Documentary, it follows veterans’ Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson on their 2,700-mile walk across America in an effort to confront their depression.

“The film captures an intimate portrait of two friends suffering from the unseen wounds of war as they discover an unlikely treatment: the restorative power of silence and meditation.”