April 9, 2021 at 12:01 AM PT

Mid-Length: “Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma” + “Dear Philadelphia”

Directed by Topaz Jones, Jason Sondock, Simon Davis  |  USA  |  Mid-Lengths  |  63 min

Pulling from autobiographical anecdotes, sumptuous visuals, and his own music, hip-hop artist Topaz Jones updates the Black ABC's for a modern era. Screens with Dear Philadelphia ((Renee Maria Osubu, USA/UK 2021, 28 min).
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Description

Produced in 1970 by a group of Black educators in Chicago, the Black ABC’s are a deck of alphabet flash cards by and for young Black students. Fifty years later, hip-hop artist Topaz Jones updates them for our times.

Screens with:

Dear Philadelphia
In this community portrait of North Philadelphia, a neighborhood with high rates of addiction and homelessness, residents share what brings them joy and helps them uplift their community. Whether through family, faith, work, or recreation, they find personal meaning and share love with their neighbors.
(Renee Maria Osubu, USA/UK 2021, 28 min)

Closed captioning will be available for this film.

Find short film print sources here

Biographies

Director Topaz Jones

Topaz Jones is a rapper, singer, and musician who makes his filmmaking debut with Don’t Go Tellin’ Your Momma.

Director Jason Sondock

Jason Sondock is a director, producer, cinematographer, and editor, whose short films include Melvin (2015), Goldlink: Dance on Me (2015), and BLUEGOLDFISH (2018).

Director Simon Davis

With Jason Sondock, Simon Davis is one half of the filmmaking duo known as rubberband., whose work encompasses experimental and narrative films, music videos, and advertising.