East of the River Film Festival : Watch FREE Movies until 10pm!


The first annual East of the River Film Festival kicks off today from 12noon - 10pm.
The festival is FREE and open to the public!
 THEARC 
1901 Mississippi Ave SE





Film Schedule broken down in blocks: Block 1 (12:15pm to 2pm)
When Life Gives You Shoe Strings:
A new twist on the old adage “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” this 20 minute dramedy depicts what can happen when a man is at the edge of sanity caused by a collection of life’s stresses.
Thirty-five year old Jason Preston is a first-time father to be, with a beautiful new home, and no job. The thought of being just months away from welcoming the new baby and depleting his savings, he’s starting to feel the pressure. Lucky for him, his new friend helps him to refocus and find new direction.
-Directed by Lori Nelson Lee

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Yellow Cab of DC:
This documentary explores the world of DC cab drivers. A tribute to the director’s grandfather.
-Directed by King Arad Star

Woman In A Man’s Suit:
The documentary Woman In A Man’s suit is director Anthony Greene’s third directorial foray into the biographical documentary world. Started in 2007, the documentary focuses on the life and philosophies of singer/songwriter Georgie Jessup. A transgendered woman, Georgie is an accomplished artist and activist in her own right. In Woman In A Man’s Suit, we are granted access to testimonials from friends, family, music professionals, therapists and Georgie herself. A truly uplifting tale of following your heart on a journey to find your true self, Woman In A Man’s Suit offers a deeply affecting, music filled celebration of adversity and self realization.
-Directed by Anthony Greene

Block 2 (2:15pm to 4:30pm)
Reverie:
Little Margaret questions the reality of life as she reflects on scrambled memories of her militant father and the tragedy that changed everything.
-Directed By Paula Wood

L1feline
TED (Demetrius Parker, Sr.) works as a “Suicide Lifeline” counselor. One night while working, he receives a call from CARL (Frank B. Moorman). Carl is a disenchanted man who is fed up with the world and is contemplating ending his life. As the conversation unfolds, Carl’s true identity comes to light as Ted realizes that he’s talking to a sexual predator that victimized him in the past. Ted and Carl engage in a suspense filled battle of wills as Ted is given the ultimate choice; seek revenge or fight for the life of his victimizer. Directed by Matt Hines and written by Anthony Greene, L1FELINE is the first co-production of 57 PICTURES and SILENTCODEFEATURES.
-Directed by Matt Hines

Chocolate City:
In 2003, over 400 families from the Arthur Capper’s housing project in South East Washington DC were forced from their homes as part of a massive nation-wide redevelopment program. Although they lived only a stone’s throw from the world’s most famous symbols of democracy their voices were sidelined from the key decisions affecting the development of their neighborhood. Dispersed across the city they are continuing the struggle to return to their homes. One group of women, disenfranchised from the established political process, began to build relationships with artists through which their shocking story could be told.
“Chocolate City” weaves together their struggle for survival with a wider story of a city whose unique history is under threat from rampant gentrification. Washington’s monument-rich epicentre is facing an audible challenge from its immediate neighbours; Denied the vote and frustrated at ingrained and debilitating poverty a growing mêlée of colourful voices is growing louder in Capitol Hill’s own back-yard.
-Directed by Ellie Walton

School Without WaLLs:
In this story, six students discover themselves locked inside the school together and unknowingly meeting the same inevitable challenge. The students have to break out of the same school they got themselves locked in. All the students encounter situations that require them to utilize their own techniques when communicating, whether it be verbal or non verbal.
This story puts emphasis on not what we say but more so how we react. Both in the community and school, miscommunication causes problematical tensions. Once they all come to realize that their community, their homes, their friends and families are at risk due to the rioting. They declare in their individual ways, that what is happening outside of the schools walls are more essential than their reason of why they are locked inside. It is how they leave, that determines their reality. A chain of events that lead to a frenzied Riot in the NewHam Borough of East London, takes place in the Afro-Caribbean Community of Carrolton (a fictional place). The plot takes place on the particular day of April 3rd.
-Directed by Tanecia Britt

Block 3 (5pm to 7:30pm)
Unraveled:
On the day of his oldest daughter’s birthday, Cooper Holland’s family will be struck with tragedy after a stranger appears and attempts to disclose an old family secret. As Cooper uncovers the pieces, he will be forced to confront his family for answers. Will he find the answers he needs to get his family back on track, or will family secrets go to the grave?
-Directed by Lori Nelson Lee

Clear and Sunny Skies:
Beverly Porter (Kathryn Browning) and Beverly Jones (Tamieka Chavis) connect during a soul searching session in North Beach, Maryland. Two women who’ve taken completely different paths speak of love, career, family and their future on a beautiful day at the beach.
-Directed by Brian Long

Undate/Redate
No Photo or Synopsis Available
-Short film directed by Pamela Nash

Adams Morgan: The Movie
Two pivotal days will impact the futures of three couples – one married, one just getting started, and one on the rocks – in this romantic comedy shot on location in Adams Morgan.Written by Paul Deveaux and directed by Robert Epstein, ADAMS MORGAN: THE MOVIE takes an insightful, witty and honest look at the issues facing couples at various points in their relationships, against the unique and dynamic backdrop of one of DC’s most diverse and vibrant neighborhoods.
-Directed by Robert Epstein

Block 4 (7:50pm to 10pm)
Spin:
A young journalist faces unexpected obstacles once he’s offered his huge break.
-Directed by Michel Aboudib.

The Favor:
Life long friends, Dez and Jay, stumble upon a taboo conversation about modern day race relation. From first time director Demetrius Parker, this short comedy satire written by Anthony Greene features the performances of James J. Johnson and John Moriarity.
-Directed by Demetrius Parker

Book By Its Cover:
Tamia and Kadeem are seemingly cut from two different cloths. She’s a high-powered attorney and he washes cars for a living. After re-evaluating her options from the “dating pool”, she agrees to go out with him. But advice from her opinionated girlfriends and flirtatious younger sister leaves her wondering just how things would be if she and Kadeem got together. Will she take a chance on a blue-collar brother, or allow her friends to cloud her judgment?
-Directed by Toneka Wright

Lorenzo and Monica L.A.F.S.
A young couple go on a crime spree holding up stores in hope of becoming famous while being pursued by a cop recently rejoined the force after losing his fiancee to a violent crime.
-Directed by Frank E Jackson, Jr





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