A Documentary by CJC Student and Alumnus Named as an Official Selection at Two Acclaimed Film Festivals
“A Seat at the Table,” a documentary directed and produced by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology (MPMT) senior Sophia Abolfathi and alumnus Robert Bailey, B.S. Telecommunication 2023, was named an official selection at the Roxbury International Film Festival being held June 20 – July 2, 2024, in Boston. The film is also an official selection at the ninth annual Full Bloom Film Festival in Statesville, North Carolina, in September.
The film explores how food, health and nutrition divide two sides of town in Gainesville, Florida, and how the movement to bring Black culture, history and knowledge back to the table is healing the community.
The film, which was produced in MPMT Senior Lecturer Houston Wells’ Documentary Production course in fall 2023, also won an Award of Excellence for Student Short-Form Documentary at the 2024 Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts competition in February. It was also an official selection at the University of Florida’s first Orange and Blue Film Festival in April.
The Roxbury International Film Festival is the largest festival in New England that celebrates people of color. Over the course of 10 days, the festival screens all genres of films, holds workshops and panel discussions and offers filmmakers the opportunity to network with each other as well as audience members. Screenings take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, Haley House Bakery Café, Hibernian Hall, and other sites in and around Roxbury.
The Full Bloom Festival features a rich array of cinematic voices and stories. Known for its dedication to celebrating independent filmmaking, this boutique festival will take place from September 5-7 in downtown Statesville. This year it will feature a curated collection of 42 films, including the festival’s first-ever screening of an animated feature film.
Posted: May 13, 2024
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: Houston Wells, Rob Bailey, Sophia Albofathi
