The Black History Month Documentary Film Festival is co-sponsored by the Springfield City Library and M.O.C.H.A., or Men of Color Health Awareness.
SPRINGFIELD – The Mason Square Health Force Task is sponsoring a film festival that celebrates love, health and education in the African American community that will be held this month as part of Black History Month.
“Movies are just another great way to talk about these important issues because they entertain as well as provide conversation topics,” said Beatrice Dewberry, communications, and outreach coordinator for the task force.
The Black History Month Documentary Film Festival is co-sponsored by the Springfield City Library and M.O.C.H.A., or Men of Color Health Awareness, a program of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. The task force sponsors several workshops and events a year to promote health in Mason Square, a four-neighborhood area with about 40,000 residents.
All movies are free and refreshments will be served. Related library books and other resources will be on display, so bring your library card or sign up for one before the event.
Following is the schedule and brief description of the movies:
BLACK LOVE LIVES - Feb. 7, 6-8 p.m.; Mason Square Branch City Library Community Room, 765 State St.: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this short documentary explores successful and lasting relationships in the Black community. African American couples dialogue on strategies to overcome the obstacles that have led other relationships to break up. A conversation after the film will also focus on the health value of lasting relationships in family and community.
TEACHED Vol. 1 - Feb. 19, 6-8 p.m.; Dunbar Y Family & Community Center, 33 Oak St.: A documentary that candidly assesses the causes and consequences of the nation’s race-based “achievement gap,” looking at inequalities in the public school system and taking viewers into communities to hear what youth, parents, teachers and others have to say.
THE ANGRY HEART - Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m., Mason Square Branch City Library Community Room, 765 State St.: This award-winning documentary addresses the impact of racism and heart disease on African Americans. The film looks at this modern epidemic through the lens of a 45-year-old Rochester, MA man, who has experienced two heart attacks and quadruple bypass surgery.