Filmmakers will be showing their final works of collaborative four-week project films during a free screening at PLACE Long Beach from 7:30-9:30 p.m. today.
The voices of fresh filmmakers will be spotlighted through the diary, essay and documentary films that will be presented.
One of PLACE LB’s founders and head of their filmmaking section, Beaux Mingus, states that his goal is to put filmmaking into the hands of those from low-income backgrounds who don’t have access to filmmaking.
“We wanna hear all those voices, not just one,” says Mingus.
Most of the filmmakers involved are first-time filmmakers, and they will be at the event, ready to answer questions about their work.
The event is hosted by Long Beach Community Media Arts (LBCMA), an organization that believes “in the power of art to transform lives and spread empathy,” as stated on their website.
LBCMA hosts free and low-cost workshops in addition to the screenings at PLACE LB. Past events include an introduction to Super 8 filmmaking, stop-motion animation and a 16mm animation movie night.
A previous project, “Dear Long Beach: Diary Films Commissioned by LBCMA” brought five diverse filmmakers together to create a series of Super 8 diary films that showed Long Beach through their culture and community.
The films were experimental projects, using life in Long Beach as their foundation. The films were made by and starred actors of different ethnic groups.
Screenings are only one of the many uses of PLACE LB, as their goal is to provide free and low-cost art education to all.
“That’s what we’re all about, access,” said Sarah Bennett, one of the founders of PLACE LB and a journalism professor at Santa Ana College.
Bennett is in charge of the journalism and print side of the space. She’s helped PLACE LB produce over 1,000 zines.
This month will be the third anniversary of PLACE LB, another year of putting the tools to create art in people’s hands.
“You have a vision and my job is to help you execute,” Bennett explained.
PLACE LB is located at 2172 Pacific Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806.
Today’s screening is an opportunity to get involved in a safe space for creatives of all ages and backgrounds.
